In Spring 2019, the former City of Springfield's Waste & Recycling Programs Manager, Adena Rivas, created a coalition of diverse local organizations and innovative leaders within the community interested in working together to make her vision of a reuse, upcycling marketplace a reality.
Original partners included the City of Springfield, Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association (EPNIA), the Springfield Art Association (SAA), Inner City Mission, Third Presbyterian Church, and Sustainable Springfield, Inc.
While the wheels stayed in motion, the Creative Reuse Marketplace (CRM) did not fully get off the ground until Spring 2020, at the outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic. At this time, the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln awarded the 2020 Women's Fund grant to the CRM.
Undeterred by Covid-19 and humbled by the support from the Women's Fund, under Rivas’ leadership and umbrella of EPNIA, the coalition was finally able to turn Dream into Reality. Awarded funds were used to create the CRM from the ground up, including the creation of a Workforce Development Training (WTP) Program for underserved and/or homeless women. This program has evolved to become all-inclusive.
In the summer of 2023, the CRM officially split from its parent organization, EPNIA, and became its own standalone 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The CRM is made up of a diverse volunteer base as well as an all-women-run Board of Directors. It is a collaborative community resource that maintains strong partnerships within the community, including the Springfield Art Association, Sustainable Springfield, Inc., Kidzeum, and teachers across multiple disciplines and grade levels within Sangamon and Menard Counties
The CRM has grown in community participation, programming, and support.
It continues to be a one-stop donation and retail location where lightly used, upcycled, reused, and/or non-recyclable post-consumer materials are donated, sorted, and displayed; sold to artists, crafters, teachers, students, and hobbyists; and/or redistributed locally to organizations in need.
The CRM has also evolved and expanded to include community workshop/classes, a redistribution Creative Reuse Cubby program, and is currently in the process of designing and implementing an Art-Based SEL Alternative School Program, set to begin in the spring of 2025. Find out more about each under the Education/Projects link.
In 2019, the CRM was awarded one of Re-AMP Network's Rapid Response Fund grants and funding went toward building the foundation of the CRM.
In 2020, the CRM was awarded a three year rolling grant from The Women's Fund. Grant funding covered initial start-up costs as well as the Workplace Training Program.
In 2021, the CRM was awarded one of Westminster's Mission Outreach grants. This grant allowed the CRM to finish storage and display racks for the CRM Store.
In 2022, the CRM was awarded one of the Community Foundation's Community Grants Program awards. Funding helped maintain services and expand CRM educational outreach.
In 2024, the CRM was awarded a RESTORE THE CORE micro-grant from the Smith/Stocks-Smith Family Foundation doing business as the Urban Action Network. This grant will help support, in part, the new Art-Based Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Alternative School Program. Through art and creative reuse, the CRM seeks to help transform and enrich the educational experience for underserved, disadvantaged, and/or at-risk youth – helping students foster artistic skills and emotional resilience needed for future success.
In 2024, the CRM was awarded additional seed funds for its Art-Based SEL Alternative School program by the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln through the Hanson Family Fund as well as Jane and Paul Ford Family Fund. These funds fill the gap on material and supply costs associated and needed to launch the program.
In 2024, the CRM was awarded a General Operating Support (GOS) grant to assist with maintenance costs associated with arts programming.
Creative Reuse Marketplace
122 S 4th St, Springfield, IL 62701
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