Click here to view the 2022 Annual Report.
The Resurrection Project remembers Cecilia Paz, a TRP founder
TRP remembers founding member Cecilia “Cece” Paz, who passed away in December 2014. Cece was one of several intrepid leaders in Pilsen who worked to found The Resurrection Project in 1990.
Perhaps the best way to describe Cecilia is a woman of God who used her love to put her faith and values into action to build God’s kingdom on earth.
However, all of this was first learned through the love shown to her by her family, especially her parents – Aurora and Leon Paz – and her siblings Juan Paz, Guadalupe Paz, Leon Paz Jr. and Daniel Paz.This love continued further by the love shown to her by her Tia Elena Chavez, and Tio Jaime Solano and all of her loving cousins.
Growing up, Cecilia went to grade school and high school at St. Procopius. She worked hard to help her family run their tortilla business, Tortilleria Durango.
Cecilia was also a pioneer. In her early 20’s Cecilia loved to participate in ballroom dancing competitions.At the encouragement of her father, Cecilia also ventured out of the community to work in the Chicago loop in the male-dominated financial services and insurance industries.
However, all of this was first learned through the love shown to her by her family, especially her parents – Aurora and Leon Paz – and her siblings Juan Paz, Guadalupe Paz, Leon Paz Jr. and Daniel Paz.This love continued further by the love shown to her by her Tia Elena Chavez, and Tio Jaime Solano and all of her loving cousins.
Growing up, Cecilia went to grade school and high school at St. Procopius. She worked hard to help her family run their tortilla business, Tortilleria Durango.
Cecilia was also a pioneer. In her early 20’s Cecilia loved to participate in ballroom dancing competitions.At the encouragement of her father, Cecilia also ventured out of the community to work in the Chicago loop in the male-dominated financial services and insurance industries.
However, community and leadership were Cecilia’s passions. It all started in St. Procopius parish where she was a member of the Parish Council, Guadalupanos, and other lay leadership positions.
She branched out to work with other leaders at several churches in our community: Providence of God, St. Pius, St.Adalbert, St.Vitus, St.Ann, St. Paul, and many many more.
Through this, Cece found kindred friends who worked together to organize the annual Via Crucis on Good Friday, Street Masses, Safety Marches, and much more.These public displays of faith often became points of social activism to utilize the teachings of Christ to promote peace and non-violence in our communities.
In the 1990s, Cece was one of several intrepid leaders in Pilsen who worked to found The Resurrection Project—an organization that has worked for more than 24 years to make Pilsen a healthy place through the development of leaders, assets like affordable housing, and other education programs. Cece’s story is captured in books about Hispanic ministry written by professors from UIC, DePaul, and others.
She branched out to work with other leaders at several churches in our community: Providence of God, St. Pius, St.Adalbert, St.Vitus, St.Ann, St. Paul, and many many more.
Through this, Cece found kindred friends who worked together to organize the annual Via Crucis on Good Friday, Street Masses, Safety Marches, and much more.These public displays of faith often became points of social activism to utilize the teachings of Christ to promote peace and non-violence in our communities.
In the 1990s, Cece was one of several intrepid leaders in Pilsen who worked to found The Resurrection Project—an organization that has worked for more than 24 years to make Pilsen a healthy place through the development of leaders, assets like affordable housing, and other education programs. Cece’s story is captured in books about Hispanic ministry written by professors from UIC, DePaul, and others.
Cece didn’t just lead. She taught. As Director of Religious Education at St. Procopius, Cece taught children and adults about faith. Cece was the kind of person where, if someone wanted to become part of the church and didn’t have a sponsor or Padrino, she herself would step up and serve in that role. People jokingly and truthfully call her comadre to the community – because she was.
Privately, Cece fought for her health through the latter part of her life. For the past 15 years, she was challenged several times but remained optimistic. Her mom, sister, brothers, and her beloved two generations of nieces and nephews—essentially her children—all stood by her side to keep her going.The love that Cece showed all of them throughout her life was given back to her through a beautiful demonstration of care and compassion up until her last breath.
Cece is love. Cece is faith. Cece is Action.
As a woman who lived for others Cece lived for the greater glory of God. May she rest in peace.
Privately, Cece fought for her health through the latter part of her life. For the past 15 years, she was challenged several times but remained optimistic. Her mom, sister, brothers, and her beloved two generations of nieces and nephews—essentially her children—all stood by her side to keep her going.The love that Cece showed all of them throughout her life was given back to her through a beautiful demonstration of care and compassion up until her last breath.
Cece is love. Cece is faith. Cece is Action.
As a woman who lived for others Cece lived for the greater glory of God. May she rest in peace.
Return to Nueva Vida January 2015 here.
November 13, 2024
Learn More
Eréndira Rendón Recibe el Premio Ohtli 2024
13 de noviembre del 2024 El 1 de noviembre del 2024, Eréndira “Ere” Rendón,…
November 13, 2024
Learn More
Eréndira Rendón Receives 2024 National Ohtli Award
November 13, 2024 On November 1, 2024, Eréndira “Ere” Rendon, vice president of Immigrant…
October 29, 2024
Learn More
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Housing Launch…
October 29, 2024 Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Department of Housing, Chicago Community Loan…
October 7, 2024
Learn More
Reparación de nuestro edificio en la 1805 S. Ashland
7 de octubre de 2024 Estimados miembros de la comunidad y amigos,…
October 7, 2024
Learn More
Repairing Our Building at 1805 S. Ashland
October 7, 2024 Dear Community Members and Friends, I want to begin…
September 23, 2024
Learn More
The Resurrection Project Announced as a Commitment-Maker at The Clinton…
Colibrí Fellowship Expansion: TRP’s 2024 CGI Commitment…
September 12, 2024
Learn More
Pilsen Residents Join Together to Urge City Council to Expand…
LIVE STREAM RECORDING HERE CHICAGO – September 12,…
August 30, 2024
Learn More
The Resurrection Project Announces 2025 Class of Colibrí Fellows
CHICAGO – August 30, 2024 – The Resurrection Project has announced the…
August 19, 2024
Learn More
Extended Protections for Immigrant Families and DACA Recipients Starts Today
Advocates and elected officials meet with individuals and families who hope to benefit from the…
June 18, 2024
Learn More
Illinois Advocates and Elected Officials Celebrate New Executive Order on…
Impacted immigrants, elected officials, advocates, and other community leaders respond to President Biden’s Latest Executive Order …
June 4, 2024
Learn More
Illinois General Assembly Approves Work Permits for All Resolution
May 28, 2024 “… [L]ike anyone who works, immigrants and their families deserve to…
April 4, 2024
Learn More
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson; Community, Business, Labor and Faith Leaders…
April 4, 2024 WATCH THE RECORDING; DOWNLOAD IMAGES CHICAGO – Today, Chicago…
February 22, 2024
Learn More
Residentes de Pilsen Celebran su Primer Aniversario en Casa Durango
22 de febrero de 2024 Margarita González cumplió 77 años en noviembre del 2023, un mes…
February 22, 2024
Learn More
Pilsen Residents Celebrate Calling Casa Durango Their New Home One…
February 22, 2024 Margarita Gonzalez celebrated her 77th birthday in November 2023, a month before her…
February 20, 2024
Learn More
First Phase of Centralized Immigration Application Workshops Serve Nearly 3,500…
February 20, 2024 The Resurrection Project concluded the first phase of the centralized immigration application workshops…
February 20, 2024
Learn More
Primera Fase de Talleres Centralizados de Solicitud de Inmigración Atiende…
20 de febrero de 2024 A finales de enero, El Proyecto Resurrección concluyó la primera etapa…
February 14, 2024
Learn More
Raul I. Raymundo among Governor JB Pritzker’s 2024 Order of…
CHICAGO – February 14, 2024 – The Resurrection Project is excited to share that Raul…
February 9, 2024
Learn More
El Proyecto Resurrección Anuncia Curso Virtual para el Bienestar Financiero
CHICAGO – 9 de febrero de 2024 – El Proyecto Resurrección (TRP por sus…
February 9, 2024
Learn More
The Resurrection Project Announces a Series of Webinars to Create…
CHICAGO – February 9, 2024 – The Resurrection Project (TRP) announces free monthly webinars…
January 19, 2024
Learn More
DECLARACIÓN DEL PROYECTO RESURRECCIÓN SOBRE EL ANUNCIO DE DOS CIERRES…
El Proyecto Resurrección está decepcionado por la noticia de que la escuela Santa Francisca…
January 19, 2024
Learn More
The Resurrection Project’s Statement on the Announcement of Two School…
The Resurrection Project is devastated by the news that St. Frances of Rome School…
November 14, 2023
Learn More
Thousands Rally in Washington for “Here to Work” Day of…
WASHINGTON, November 14, 2023 – Today, thousands rallied in Washington, D.C. in a push…
November 7, 2023
Learn More
EL PROYECTO RESURRECCIÓN ANUNCIA UN NUEVO PROGRAMA DE PERMISOS DE…
CHICAGO, IL – 7 de noviembre, 2023 – El Proyecto Resurrección (TRP) se enorgullece en anunciar…
November 7, 2023
Learn More
THE RESURRECTION PROJECT TO PILOT A WORK PERMITS PROGRAM IN…
CHICAGO, IL – November 7, 2023 – The Resurrection Project (TRP) is proud to announce a…
October 12, 2023
Learn More
Chicago’s Immigrant Community Rally To Demand Work Permits For All
CHICAGO, IL – October 12, 2023 – Today, hundreds gathered in Pilsen to rally and have…
October 2, 2023
Learn More
Líderes Inmigrantes de Chicago Anuncian Manifestación
CHICAGO, IL – 2 de octubre de 2023 – Hoy, líderes inmigrantes y miembros de la…
October 2, 2023
Learn More
Chicago Immigrant Leaders Announce Rally
CHICAGO, IL – October 2, 2023 – Today, immigrant leaders and community members gathered to announce…
September 21, 2023
Learn More
Líderes inmigrantes de Chicago piden al presidente Biden que extienda…
CHICAGO, IL – 21 de septiembre de 2023 – Hoy, líderes inmigrantes, funcionarios electos y miembros…
September 21, 2023
Learn More
Chicago Immigrant Leaders Call on President Biden to Extend Work…
CHICAGO, IL – September 21, 2023 – Today, immigrant leaders, elected officials, and community members gathered…
September 14, 2023
Learn More
JUEZ FEDERAL ANULA PROGRAMA DE DACA
CHICAGO, IL – 14 de septiembre de 2023 – El miércoles 13 de septiembre, un juez…
September 14, 2023
Learn More
FEDERAL JUDGE STRIKES DOWN DACA PROGRAM
CHICAGO, IL – September 14, 2023 – On Wednesday, September 13, a federal judge declared…
August 15, 2023
Learn More
THE RESURRECTION PROJECT AND DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY PARTNER TO REOPEN LA…
Student housing returns to Pilsen with new neighbors CHICAGO, IL – August 15, 2023 – Today,…
March 2, 2023
Learn More
THE RESURRECTION PROJECT CELEBRATES OPENING ITS NEWEST AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING,…
CHICAGO – Today, The Resurrection Project (TRP) was joined by representatives of the Pilsen community, the City…
January 6, 2023
Learn More
A Miracle on Loomis Street
Pictured from left to right: TRP Property Manager Daniel Rathjen, Pilsen Resident Liliana C., New TRP…
October 13, 2022
Learn More
The Resurrection Project Statement on DHS Announcement of New Migration…
CHICAGO – The Biden Administration on Wednesday announced that it would be expanding its use of…