More than 150 people, including residents, new homeowners, public officials, and community partners came out to Back of the Yards yesterday, August 1, to celebrate the completion of a $13.8 million investment that The Resurrection Project (TRP) began in 2011. The event, which took place on the 5000 block of Hermitage Avenue, featured live music, children’s activities, and tours of two of TRP’s newly renovated properties on Hermitage Avenue. Local media, including WGN, Univisión, ABC, and Telemundo, were also onsite to cover the event.
As part of a national consortium led by the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) and Chicanos Por La Causa, TRP helped secure $137 million in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2) funds to revitalize communities across the country. TRP brought $13.8 million of those funds to Chicago and used them to acquire 40 foreclosed properties in Back of the Yards.
Over the past two years, TRP rehabilitated those 40 abandoned properties into 75 units of quality, affordable housing for working families. The August 1 celebration commemorated the completion of that work, and what it means for the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
“This is not just about buildings,” said Raul Raymundo, TRP CEO, during his remarks. “The people are what make this a community. People committed to invest, live in the community, and get involved in the community.”
Two such people are Jesse Iniguez and Claudia Guzman, who purchased one of TRP’s rehabbed homes and shared their story with the crowd.
“We were trying to purchase a home before but were told by financial institutions that our debt-to-income ratios did not meet the requirements,” Jesse told the audience. “My wife and I met with Margie, a TRP Home Purchase Counselor, who enrolled us in TRP’s home purchase program. After working with Margie, we were able to get buyer-ready by reducing our debt.”
Jesse and Claudia got the keys to their first home in April. “We, along with our five-year-old daughter,” said Jesse, “are proud residents of Back of the Yards and happy homeowners of a property renovated by The Resurrection Project under the NSP2 program. This is a dream come true.”

Antonio Riley, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, also spoke to the audience about the impact of initiatives such as the NSP2 program.
“You took 40 blighted buildings and made some 75 units of affordable for-sale and rental housing,” said Riley. “And oh, by the way, you also created 150 jobs.”
State Senator Mattie Hunter, Aldermen Toni Foulkes and Willie Cochran, and Cook County Commissioner Jesus Garcia were on hand to address the audience and receive recognition plaques for their support of TRP’s work in Back of the Yards and other neighborhoods in Chicago’s Southwest Side. George Wright, representing the Citi Foundation, also received recognition on Citi’s behalf for their significant programmatic investments to bolster TRP’s NSP2 programs in Back of the Yards.

Guests got a chance to see TRP’s work up close through open tours of a vacant rental unit at 5031 S. Hermitage, and of a home for sale at 5012 S. Hermitage. TRP Realty, the new initiative that helped Jesse and Claudia become homeowners, had an information table to let guests know of other home purchase and rental opportunities in Back of the Yards. At the end of the event, a trolley tour took guests on a quick ride through the neighborhood, highlighting other TRP-rehabbed properties as well as partner institutions such as Holy Cross, St. Joseph’s, and Chicago Commons.
The event celebrated not just the completion of this rehabilitation work, but of the positive momentum and hope that TRP and its partners are creating in Back of the Yards. With continued investment through public and private partners, and the perseverance of neighbors and area families like Jesse and Claudia, TRP is confident that this initial $13.8 million investment is the first of many.
“Becoming a home owner really changes our perspective,” said Jesse. “With this home under our belt, we hope to be seen as leaders and role models for the community and hope to be the new face of Back of the Yards.”
See what other homes TRP currently has for sale.