Renaissance Group

About

Renaissance Group are a Community Suppport Service for people with disabilities

Story

Renaissance was born in 2001 from very humble beginnings…..a garage to be precise!

The decision to establish Renaissance and provide the service in the way we do was greatly inspired by a group of young disabled people from Auckland, in particular, Martin Williams. Martin was determined to live in his own place and never have to go into institutional care again. He didn't let his muscular dystrophy stop him from attaining his dream, which in 2001 became a reality. Martins struggle with bureaucracy from every angle in his fight to achieve what for most people would be considered the ‘norm’, made the founders Barry de Geest and Carmel Henry very angry. It took two years for Martin, his family, his friends and numerous support people to get the house and the supports in place. Sadly Martin passed away, but not before achieving his dream.

It was Martin Williams determination that turned the founders anger into a decision to set up a Supported Living service then and there. Their dream was to make the process of growing up, leaving home to go flatting, having friends, socialising, working and settling down with someone you love, just as common and acceptable for disabled people as it is for the rest of the population.

So, from a garage, to one of the most successful providers of Supported Living services in New Zealand, Renaissance is now assisting over 200 disabled people a year to live their dream.

We thank all the disabled people and the families we work with for your determination and courage. A big thank you to our great team who continue to be passionate about what we are trying to achieve and for striving to make our dream a reality for all!