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About the Organization

Fifth Street Renaissance began as Community Energy Systems in 1979 with the purpose of weatherproofing homes for elderly and low-income clients in Springfield. As the needs in the Springfield community evolved so did the scope of the organization.  In 1986, Fifth Street Renaissance opened the first transitional shelter program to provide housing and comprehensive services to individuals experiencing homelessness to help them address barriers to independent living. 
 

The mission of the Springfield AIDS Resource Association (SARA Center) was to provide inclusive care, support, housing, and advocacy services for HIV+ individuals and their families. This included education, preventative care, and outreach in high-risk communities. 

 

Fifth Street Renaissance and the SARA Center merged in 2006, the missions combined, and our dedicated staff continue to carry the mission forward under the guidance of our current Board of Directors. We continue to provide services based on compassion, empowerment, and respect for the diversity of those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS and those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. While our programs may continue to evolve based on the needs of our those we serve, the overarching goal to support the most vulnerable in our community through difficult times will remain. 

Mission of FSR

It is our mission at Fifth Street Renaissance to assist individuals and families in difficult situations. We provide resources, transitional housing, opportunities to develop job skills and acquire education, and aid in securing employment. Our aim is to support our clients as they reclaim their self-sufficiency and wellbeing.

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We have integrated the mission of the Springfield AIDS Resource Association to assist those individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, their caregivers, and families by locating affordable housing, medical assistance, counseling, and financial responsibility when necessary. The agency also will work to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDs through education, awareness,

and prevention. 

Meet Our Staff

Family, Community, Health, and Safety

Our Values:

Penny Powell
Executive Director
penpowell@fsr-sara.org
(217) 544-5040 ext. 14

Ralph Shank
Executive Director Assistant

ralphshank@fsr-sara.org
(217) 544-5040 ext. 13

 

Roxanne Anderson

Accounting Specialist

roxanderson@fsr-sara.org

(217) 544-5040 ext. 18

 

Teresa Pickrel
Community Outreach Administrator

terpickrel@fsr-sara.org
(217) 816-3559

Lauren Thoele
HOWPA Case Manager and Administrative Assistant

lauthoele@fsr-sara.org



 

Contact Staff

Sabrina Wesley
Data Coordinator
sabwesley@fsr-sara.org
(217) 544-5040 ext. 26

Cole Powell
Spring Street Veterans Renaissance SSVR/VFR Case Manager
colpowell@fsr-sara.org
(217) 528-0800

Dawn Bailey
Pasfield Transitional 
Housing Case Manager
dawbailey@fsr-sar.org
(217) 528-9382

Raenesha Green
ISHOP Housing Coordinator Supervisor
raegreen@fsr-sara.org
(217) 544-5040 ext. 27

Tara Hickman
DHS RRH/PSH Case Manager
tarhickman@fsr-sara.org
(217) 717-5283

Keisha Johnson
ISHOP Housing Coordinator
keijohnson@fsr-sara.org

Mustafa Armstrong
HOPWA Case Manager
RIG Outreach Specialist
mustafaarmstrong@fsr-sara.org

Sonia Kenney
DCFS Lead Housing Advocate
sonkenney@fsr-sara.org

Tre'Anna Whitfield
DCFS Housing Advocate
trewhitfield@fsr-sara.org

Samantha Brown
CORS Lead Peer Recovery Specialist
sambrown@fsr-sara.org
(217) 610-2589

Amy Shepard
CORS Peer Recovery Specialist
amyshepard@fsr-sara.org
(217) 544-5040 ext. 22

Jasmine Slattery
HEP B Outreach Specialist
jasslattery@fsr-sara.org

William Jones
NARCAN Outreach Specialist
wiljones@fsr-sara.org

Eric Powell
Reintegration Resource Coordinator
eripowell@fsr-sara.org

James "Jay" Lewis
Outreach Specialist
jamlewis@fsr-sara.org​

Virginia Pursley
ETH VP Case Manager
virginiapursley@fsr-sara.org


Jamison Kerr
ETH VP Case Aide
jamisonkerr@fsr-sara.org

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