#3 September 2010

“Transforming Communities Through Community”

COMMON Voice

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Reflection by Ivy Linger inCOMMON T-shirts Thank You – Andrew Tonnies Snapshots from the Listening Project Wednesday Night at the Park Making Connections in the Neighborhood

Reflection by Ivy Linger

August marked the one-year anniversary of Mosaic Community Development becoming inCOMMON Community Development. In celebration of that anniversary we decided to post a past reflection by volunteer Ivy Linger from Coram Deo church. We thought it not only offered a thoughtful first-hand account of a volunteer’s experience at our Monday night meal, but it insightfully foreshadows the name-change, which was to come. Enjoy… Written by Ivy Linger This past Monday, I spent a portion of my evening down at Mosaic. I had asked some friends the week prior if I could join them for an evening to see for myself what exactly went on there every Monday.

When we arrived, a sense of discomfort settled into my soul, mostly because I had never been to Mosaic before and I had no idea what to expect. So I followed my friend around as she amiably conversed with people in the room and kindly introduced me to those around her. She made her way to the kitchen area of the room and slipped on a pair of gloves. I followed her lead, as she explained a little more about Mosaic and what we were going to be doing that evening. We worked our way back to the table where food was to eventually be served, shaking hands of a few volunteers along the way. Once dinner was served and everyone sat to eat, we made preparations for another line of people to come through and were then replaced by a new pair of people with

gloves on their hands, ready to serve. As we were relieved of our duties, I scoped the room for a place to sit, intentionally picking a place near someone I could meet for the first time and with whom I could talk. Then I noticed Scott - and the empty chair across the table from him. So I walked over to where he was seated and sat down. Initially, I simmered in my anxiety, as I struggled to think of clever ways to start a conversation. “Is that your third helping, there?” I said. His mouth was full, as he had just taken a bite, so he nodded yes. “It must be pretty darn good, then,” I responded to the nod Scott began to tell me how wonderful his meal tasted. Slowly easing into the conversation, I asked him what his favorite food to eat was. “Oh, I like so many foods! How about I’ll tell you what I don’t like!” His eyes brightened and he began to tell me about liver his mom used to make and how he would go without dinner whenever she would make it. There was no room for pickiness at his family’s dinner table. I chuckled with him, as I could identify with his story. We talked about how we both loved a good cheeseburger and fries or a bratwurst hot off the grill and a cold beer. My conversation with Scott continued. I felt comfortable asking more questions. I inquired him about his childhood, his parents, his hometown, previous jobs he had, what his hobbies and interests were. As we continued to talk, I began to see that Scott and I had more in common than we didn’t have in common. He loves corn on the cob freshly picked and shucked in the summertime. So do I. He spent his childhood growing up in a small town in a family that constantly struggled to make ends meet. Hhmmm… me, too. He’s had jobs he’s loved and jobs he’s hated. Wow,

as have I. He’s experienced the excitement of falling in love, the heartbreak of falling out of love, and the pain of losing love. Haven’t we all?! Of course, our biggest bonding moment of the evening and our greatest commonality came when we both shared something: we both have a strong dislike for Husker football. At this point, I had decided that Scott was my new favorite friend. It was then I realized that any existing separation between us before that evening was something I put there myself; something that was inside of me – a broken and sinful heart. I suddenly became aware of my faithless tendency to isolate myself from things that make me uncomfortable. I began to see and understand poverty, specifically the poverty that Scott was experiencing through an engaging conversation and a warm meal. That evening I left Mosaic Community Development different than when I had arrived. I was completely baffled by the experience I had there, leaving with a mind full of questions – some, perhaps, unanswerable and a heart full of convictions, which have brought me to tears at times as I have reflected on my conversation with Scott. I eagerly look forward to spending more Monday evenings at Mosaic and learning more about guys like Scott by not only serving them two or three helpings of a good meal each week, but also talking to them about life - THEIR lives. They’re living one, too, you know. They all have experienced joys and pains, and because of this, each has a story to share. By God’s grace and Scott’s willingness to share his story with me that night, my soul was touched by Jesus in a way it had never been

New inCOMMON t-shirts on sale now!

before. There is nothing easy about being broken for others, but it is in that brokenness that we become selfless and willing to serve others, regardless of our perceived state of being or theirs. Thanks Scott. Thanks Jesus.

To support our Social Capital Campaign, Omaha’s Digital House created “Love Thy Neighbor(hood)” t-shirts. All proceeds benefit the opening of a Community Center in the Park Avenue area. If you would like to purchase a shirt please visit us on the web – www.inCOMMONcd.org

On July 17th, we said goodbye and gave well-wishes to our grant writer and

On Saturday, July 17th inCOMMON said goodbye to AmeriCorps*VISTA member, Andrew Tonnies. Andrew was an incredible asset to our staff. He worked for an entire year writing grants and scheduling concerts at The Commons. We received numerous grants in the last year including the matching grant from the Peter Kiewit Foundation with Andrew’s help. Andrew moved back to his hometown, Columbus Nebraska with dreams of working on a farm and potentially starting his own organic farm someday.

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In grade school I had a first-grade teacher and she would give me money to go buy her cigarettes at the corner-store and she would give me a quarter or dime. It seemed like the teachers were more like a parent and teacher. If you fell outside they would pick you up and help you. It’s not like that anymore now. Gene

My favorite Mexican restaurant in Omaha is at Park Avenue and Woolworth, La Casita. It’s great, I go in there and I’m the only gringo in the place, and I know it’s good food. Howard

The challenges are all the things being torn down; old buildings, beautiful buildings, places where you used to hide. Marino Something that drew us to this neighborhood was the large Hispanic population and the Hispanic culture here. Brian I think this neighborhood is at this like prime location and time. There is energy right now, it’s almost to a tipping point. There is a lot of potential. Gail

Snapshots from The Listening Project

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE PARK

Wednesday Night at the Park is a free event sponsored by the Park East Neighborhood Association that runs through August and September. Various community and social service organizations take turns planning activities. This year inCOMMON partnered with the Community Bicycle Project for Bike Mania! which included a bicycle obstacle course and a bicycle-themed art project. We would like to thank our volunteers; Airen Haug of the Community Bicycle Project Omaha. Lesley, Jodi and Dana of Coram Deo. Matt and Jake for providing music. The Omaha Safety Council for providing the safety bicycle kit.

Making Connections in the Neighborhood

inCOMMON recently came across a short-term employment opportunity with its friend Mike Battershell and partners at Bergman Incentives. Through the relationships we made over the years it was apparent who we could contact for this employment opportunity. Our dear friend and influential voice in the neighborhood Modesto Olivo, was contacted and fortunately the position met his employment needs. Modesto worked with a number of temporary employment sites this past year, and we knew he would be a great fit for Bergman Incentives.

inCOMMON seeks to build social capital and bridge the gaps present in our community. By building positive relationship in the community we grow more connected and more aware of available opportunities such as job openings. Social capital allows communities and neighborhoods to flourish and grow. inCOMMON is celebrating with Modesto this month and wishing him the best at his new job! Modesto said; "I am really thankful that an organization like inCOMMON is in my neighborhood! They have connected me with Bergman Incentives for employment and I really enjoy working here."

inCOMMON Community Development 1258 S. 13th Street

Omaha, NE 68108