Common Ground Members – will you join us?

In support of CG’s Faces of Foreclosure campaign, Rep.  Jon Richards has introduced a bill in the state legislature that would prohibit the state from doing business with any bank that holds more than 100 homes that are in foreclosure in the state.

On Tuesday February 16th Common Ground will go to Madison to meet with our representatives and other state officials to ask for their support of this bill.

If you are CG member and are able to join us please send us an Email

We’ll meet at a central location by 9 a.m., (Location TBD) and take a bus together.  During the trip, we’ll be briefed on whom we’re meeting with and what we’re asking for.

On Saturday, September 26, 2009, 100 Common Ground members spread out across the city as part of a photographic survey of bank owned foreclosed houses in Milwaukee.  The nearly 500 photographs gathered speak graphically to the blighting effect on our community of economic challenge and unscrupulous, predatory lending.  De-briefing conversations of the photo survey revealed that while some houses have already been resold and rehabilitation has started, many others still sit boarded up – and unphotographed.  Common Ground is now looking to organize a follow-up shoot focusing on areas of heavier foreclosure saturation.  Saturday’s action is a first step in addressing the banks responsibility regarding their property and its impact on neighborhoods.

Common Ground members in the Sherman Park neighborhood of Milwaukee are organizing for neighborhood improvements.  Partnering with St. Joseph Hospital, an “anchor” institution in the community, Common Ground member groups are making a difference.  Read more.

Common Ground’s Founding Convention was held April 13, 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You can see the video in 2 parts by clicking here for part 1, and here for part 2.

Over 150 Common Ground leaders gathered on September 15 to make key decisions on next action steps.

Leaders recommitted to support the efforts in Sherman Park/North Milwaukee.

The Delegates voted unanimously for a “roll out” plan for the health insurance cooperative in October and committing over 100 people to attend this event.  In addition, Common Ground will conduct at least six sessions covering all four counties to enroll small businesses, non-profits and individuals in the cooperative.

Common Ground leaders committed to a five week research phase for a campaign regarding the thousands of bank-owned abandoned foreclosed homes in the region. On Saturday, September 26, 150 Common Ground leaders will take photographs of 400 of these homes.  Another team will conduct basic research on the largest bank landlords of these properties.  Common Ground leaders will regather on Thursday, October 22 to make a decision regarding next steps in this campaign.

Common Ground nominated three new members to the Strategy Team; Ms. Eileen Asbell of St. Michael-St. Rose Parish, Mr. Frank Finch III of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, and Ms. Dorota Pruski of St. James Episcopal Church.

A second in a series of organizing meetings was held on September 8th at St. Anthony on the Lake in Pewaukee for the purpose of getting Common Ground moving in Waukesha County.  Over the two sessions, over a dozen key organizations were represented including many faith communities and a Waukesha based University.  Bernie Juno, Executive Director of the Hebron House shelter in Waukesha shared an example of the kind of issue and associated community organizing Common Ground could pursue in the future.  Reverend Bobby Sinclair reviewed the next steps recommended for the Waukesha organizers as they consider Listening Sessions and Neighborhood walks building relationships, identifying leaders, and surfacing issues.

For any interested in learning more abou the Common Ground effort in Waukesha please contact Carol Treadwell.

Congregations from Waukesha County gathered on June 23 to introduce and discuss further development of Common Ground in that county.  Leaders expressed their excitement about growing this effort in Waukesha County.  On August 20th, we will gather again at 6:30 pm at St. Anthony on the Lake in Pewaukee.  Over the next few months, we will begin the process of listening sessions, one-on-one meetings and a possible neighborhood walk to learn of issues present in the city of Waukesha.

In addition, Common Ground U will be held in October at St. Anthony on the Lake.  We encourage Core Team members from our western suburbs to attend.  Common Ground U is a nine hour curriculum focused on helping strengthen the volunteer leadership of your organization and teaching people the skills for public life.

If you are aware of congregations and organizations in Waukesha County who might be interested in membership of Common Ground, please email us with contact information, Email

Common Ground has begun a Friends of Common Ground Campaign in order to raise $300,000 over the next three years to hire 1 1/2 new organizers to staff Common Ground.  A Friends Committee of 7 leaders are conducting 50-60 individual visits with potential contributors to the Campaign.  If you would like to contribute, contact Bob Connolly at 414-272-0101 or Email or fill out this form (click on the word form) and mail it to the address indicated at the bottom.

On Monday, May 18, upwards of 40 Common Ground members gathered at Greater New Birth Church for another Amani Neighborhood Walk.  Small teams received their street assignments and then walked door-to-door to canvass residents about the problems caused by the presence of nearby boarded-up and abandoned homes.

Other neighborhood issues also emerged from the conversations (traffic patterns, problem corner stores, drug use and distribution), and they are currently being researched by the Greater New Birth/Immanuel Presbyterian Action Team.  In an effort to create relationships and develop strategies to solve these problems, team members continue to meet with Common Council members, community leaders, assitance organizations, and police officials.

On May 13, 2009 students & their families, volunteers and board members celebrated the pilot program for OnRamp.

OnRamp is a program in Milwaukee, WI where minority students are exposed to the creative/design industry through working with design professionals and visiting various related locations.

The program was originated by Hanson Dodge Creative’s involvement with Common Ground.

In the pilot program, 13 students from Community High School worked with 9 Milwaukee-area design professionals to design a line of t-shirts. These shirts will be available for purchase after mid-July to fund future programs.

More information, including how individuals can get involved in future programs, as well as photos from the program, can be found here.