On Sunday, April 13, 2008, over 2,300 delegates from throughout Southeastern Wisconsin gathered together at the Midwest Airlines Center in downtown Milwaukee for the Founding Convention of Common Ground.

The convention was held to officially launch Common Ground as an organization and force for social change in Southeastern Wisconsin. The convention offered the opportunity to share Common Ground’s history, the urgent need for change in our region; stories about the damaging and lingering effects of crime, unemployment and inadequate health care on ordinary citizens; the issues Common Ground will address going forward; an introduction to and formal commitment of support by Common Ground’s founding members; and, finally, Common Ground’s next steps.

A wide array of speakers, sharing personal stories, set the tone and underlined the need for change in our region. Father Jeff Haines, pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish, spoke about the effects of job loss on a member of his own parish. Bernadette Davel, a member of St. Catherine’s Parish, shared the terrifying effects of high healthcare costs on her own family. Pa Vang, a member of Hmong First Baptist Church, described the residual effects of a home burglary on herself and her family. Read the rest of this entry »

The Greater Milwaukee area has much to offer – and much to fix. We have a health care crisis, there aren’t enough jobs, and crime is out of hand. We created Common Ground to address these critical social issues. Our members come from all races, religions and political backgrounds, but we share a common mission: To replace despair with hope in our community.

Our Reality

Southeast Wisconsin languishes. Income, race and politics separate neighbor from neighbor. Faith, which should unite us, divides. We write off the investments we have made in family and community. Lament the lack of political leadership to address our structural problems. And, in frustration, withdraw. Believing the worst about each other, we perpetuate a cycle of brokenness that extends from individuals to families to our largest institutions.

And yet … there is hope. It is here in our midst, even where things look darkest, a glowing spark ready to be kindled into a renewing flame. Because we have not given up.

Our Vision

We will turn our brokenness into our strength. It is our common ground. We will claim it.

On this common ground, we will build something new and better. A broad-based organization where all can feel common cause —

• Liberals, conservatives, moderates
• African, African-American, Anglo, Asian, Latino, Indian and other ethnic backgrounds
• Evangelical to mainline Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other religions
• Small businesses, unions, non-profits, community organizations, homeless shelters, health care groups
• Urban, suburban, exurban, rural dwellers

We will build by listening, by talking, by opening ourselves up to one another. We will strengthen relationships, nurture hopes, address fears and awaken dreams.

We will mold this common ground into an agenda that respects the dignity of every person. And create a culture committed to helping everyone realize their gifts and reach their full potential.

We will think strategically. Act boldly. Claim our seat at the table. And speak truth to power. The corporate and political decision makers will hear us. And they will help us transform our vision into reality.

Our actions will reawaken the best of our Wisconsin heritage, the belief in a politics “of, by and for the people.”

On this common ground, we will build.