Youth Jobs:

Common Ground leaders are working closely with MAWIB to develop a strategic planning session for October 21st where we will bring about 30 business and government leaders together to strategize as to how we might get more private sector participation for 2010 Summer Youth Jobs.

The next meeting of the Youth Jobs team is November 3 at 7:00 pm at Progressive Baptist Church, 8324 W. Keefe Ave., Milwaukee.

Health Care:

The Health Care Committee continues to work with the Wisconsin Healthcare Cooperative (WHC) on the final stages in the development of a health cooperative for small businesses, non-profits, unions and the self employed.

We anticipate “rolling out” the Wisconsin Healthcare Cooperative in October.  WHC will conduct a series of information sessions throught the region to enroll people into the Coop during Novemberand December.

 Sherman Park/North Milwaukee:

On Wednesday, September 23, Common Ground Sherman Park/North Milwaukee leaders met with Alderman Wade to discuss their current relationship, ways to build on this relationship, and current issues in the 7th Aldermanic District.  Leaders are scheduled to meet again with Alderman Wade in the coming weeks to check on the progress of issues discussed.

On Monday, October 5, Common Ground Sherman Park leaders conducted a highly productive meeting with Alderman Murphy and City Engineer Bob Bryson.  Common Ground Leaders received an update on actions taken and studies that were done on neighborhood issues.  Most concerns brought to Alderman Murphy’s attention should be taken care of by November by means of work orders and legislation.  This is an ongoing campaign; we will continue to work with the elected officials to improve the Sherman Park, North Milwaukee areas.

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.

The Common Ground Health Care Team of 30 members has been studying the healthcare system in southeastern Wisconsin for the past 18 months. The committee members have conducted over 100 research actions in order to understand how the healthcare system does and does not work.  With approval of the Delegates’ Assembly, the team has worked to develop a Health Insurance Cooperative.  This cooperative will be a member-owned, non-profit business, which will provide health insurance for small businesses, non-profits, the self-employed and unions.  The cooperative is not the answer to health care reform in America, but it is a piece of health care reform. The largest portion of the 47 million uninsured Americans work for small businesses. We call this effort “Health Care Reform – Midwest Style.”

At Common Ground we believe that improving job opportunities for Milwaukee youth will improve the economic and social well-being in our four-county area.  The City of Milwaukee’s Earn & Learn Summer Job Program addresses that goal by providing opportunities for qualified high school students to gain valuable workplace experience.  The program lays the foundation for a trained workforce, provides job readiness skills, offers real work experiences and a variety of career possibilities, and allows experienced employees to participate in positive change in their community.

Last year Common Ground successfully lobbied the City to increase the number of summer youth jobs from approximately 1,300 in 2008 to a record 3,000 in the summer of 2009.  We successfully campaigned for the City to provide $250,000 in flexible funding to the program. Working with the Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC), the Milwaukee Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB), and the City to increase private business participation in the project by establishing a goal of 1,000 private sector jobs in 2010, we are creating momentum for the development of a future workforce.

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.

Fox 6 News was in attendance at our August 31st Sherman Park Public Action. Watch the video by clicking here.

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