ROW Peoria Will Soon Be CREW309!

In 2017, as part of a new effort to broaden our reach and impact, Recovery on Water set its sights on expanding beyond Chicago. Our board and staff leaders had no sooner agreed on this strategic initiative than a group from Peoria, Illinois, came to us with a fortuitously timed request: They wanted to launch a new ROW affiliate.

Kassie Williams, Lindsay Vlaminck, Nikki Delinski and Dr. Glyn Jones worked diligently with our own Chicago leadership to lay the groundwork for ROW Peoria in 2018; together we identified locations for indoor workouts, trained volunteers to become coaches, and formed a local leadership structure. Practices for the new affiliate began that winter, and the new team gained fast and furious momentum throughout 2019. In their first full year, ROW Peoria hosted multiple fundraising events, partnering with local businesses, brands and physicians along the way, and in the end were able to lease a new space for indoor workouts—a space they referred to as the “erg shack”—as well as purchase a new fleet of ergs and their very first rowing shell.

At the beginning of 2020, ROW Peoria’s dynamic success was apparent, and it was decided that their best route for continued growth and development was to relaunch as an independent 501c3. This would allow the group to fully manage their own operations and partnerships, and it would ensure that local supporters could take the organization to new heights on a path of their own choosing.

Watch for ROW Peoria to soon relaunch as CREW309 (Cancer Recovery by Empowering Women)! This brand new 501c3 will be managed by the same local leaders who have spearheaded ROW Peoria and its incredible success. President Kassie Williams recently offered her thoughts on ROW Peoria branching off from its parent organization:

“I am eternally grateful to Jenn and the ROW organization for letting us into your family and helping us grow and reach new heights. Without all of your help, we wouldn’t have felt as confident and empowered to start our own 501c3. We are looking forward to the future as CREW309 and hope to continue our path of growth and inclusivity for all breast cancer survivors using the knowledge imparted to us by ROW.”

If you don’t already, make sure to follow ROW Peoria on Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss forthcoming news about their relaunch. Our team here at ROW is excited to watch CREW309 find new routes toward success, and we wish their athletes, coaches, volunteers and supporters all the best.