Faces of Foreclosure/Milwaukee Rising

Common Ground sent the Sherman Park Revitalization plan in late January to the five banks that we are engaging to take responsibility for their role in the foreclosure debacle. The Foreclosure team reported a strong working relationship with the City of Milwaukee.  Common Ground is currently scheduling meetings with these five banks to discuss the plan.

Education: It’s About Our Children

Common Ground launched its newest campaign just a week ago when over 700 people gathered to start the conversation about out the brewing budget crisis facing in our schools. It’s very early in this campaign and we are still investigating and learning about the issues of education in Milwaukee and the surrounding area. Each of the organizations represented at the Delegates Assembly committed to holding ‘Listening Sessions’ to learn more from each other about what we can do and why it’s important. These sessions will take place between now and our next public action on March 21 at Mason Temple Church of Christ in Milwaukee.

In addition to the latest news on the issue campaigns we were happy to welcome new member organizations to Common Ground – Church of the Living God, Corinth Baptist Church and United Garden Homes, Inc.

Information was delivered, creative ideas were shared, relationships were forged and the commitment to positive change in our community was reinforced. The meeting was very successful.

For information concerning our Foreclosure Campaign please go to our Faces of Foreclosure website. Faces of Foreclosure

Health Care

Plans are still underway for the roll out of the Common Ground sponsored Health Insurance cooperative for small businesses, non-profits, the self-employed and unions.  The timetable is to begin enrollment in April with the insurance effective in June.  Stay tuned for an announcement of the timetable for action.  If you have questions contact Bob Connolly at 414 272-0101 or Email

Sherman Park

The Sherman Park Common Ground Team will be holding a meeting with area neighborhood leaders, St. Joseph Hospital representatives and the Faith-based community at Wheaton-Fransiscan St. Joseph Campus on Monday, March 15th.  We will be setting the focus of the 2010 Spring/Summer Campaign in the Sherman Park area in regards to foreclosed and abandoned homes and general safety issues. Plan to join us from 6:30-8:00pm on Monday, March 15th.

Waukesha County

There has been a growing interest to build a Common Ground presence in Waukesha County and a team has been diligently working on this over the last few months.  They have conducted numerous listening sessions and several more are scheduled for this spring.  Through these listening sessions potential members, leaders and local issues are emerging.  As a way to continue to build on these efforts, and to report on what has transpired to date, Common Ground is holding a gathering for Waukesha County on Tuesday, March 16 from 7:00 to 8:30pm at St. Anthony on the Lake Parish (W280 N2101 Hwy. SS, Pewaukee) Directions 

For more information on what Common Ground is doing in Waukesha County, contact Heather Dummer Combs,  Email or 414-559-6608.

Friends of Common Ground

To date our Friends campaign has raised $163,000 from 57 donors.  Our goal is to get to $300,000. Some 30 potential donors are now being approached.  if you woudl like to contribute and join the campaign contact Bob Connolly at 414 272-0101 or Email