Vanessa Rosas, 25, is a South Side resident and a social work student at Concordia University. Last Sunday, she loaded up a stroller with her three young children and headed Downtown for a meeting unlike any she had ever attended.
Rosas was one Milwaukee resident who entered the Midwest Airlines Center on Sunday hoping to find common ground. And along with nearly 2,500 other residents in attendance, she certainly did.
Common Ground, nearly two years in the making, describes itself as an organization of organizations. With slogans like, "Building a Stronger Community Together" and "Transforming Lives, Strengthening Communities," Common Ground held a Founding Convention Sunday at Midwest Airlines Center.
"I've never been to a meeting like this or heard speakers like this," Rosas explains. "I think this is really important because all of these topics reflect me or issues concerning my family. The convention is filled with a lot of emotion and good people all working to find a common ground."
Common Ground brings together more than 50 southeastern Wisconsin churches, companies and educational institutions to collectively focus on community issues such as crime, housing, immigration and education. During the last two years, the organization held 140 listening sessions for community residents to voice concerns, compliments and crises in their neighborhoods.
"We are here to genuinely strengthen our communities," explains Common Ground member and Greater New Birth Church's Rev. Willie Davis. "This is not the end -- this is the beginning. Our work continues as our struggle continues. But today we introduce ourselves as the catalyst for change in this region. We will work to bring practical concrete solutions to our region's biggest issues."
Common Ground identified eight primary issues facing the area: crime / police and guns, education, health care, housing, jobs / economic development / poverty, immigration, mental health and youth activities. Within these areas of focus, research action teams aim to illuminate not only neighborhood weaknesses but also potential strengths and solutions in the community.
"We will work to have solutions implemented rather than just debated," says Rev. Brian Sonderman of Metrobrook Church in Milwaukee's city center. "We will sit at the table with those who have the power to make this happen."
Like historic propensities for church-based community organizing, religious groups predominantly mobilized participants for Common Ground. However, Common Ground is not a religion-based organization and welcomes local companies, universities and professional unions.
Based on the turnout Sunday, Common Ground cannot be boxed into one category with one type of supporter. Diversity and hope enveloped the afternoon as crowds sprang from seats in affirmation and cheered in victory. Milwaukee's ethnic and religious diversity was aptly represented with attendance by African American, Latino, Hmong, Asian and Caucasian communities from churches of Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
Despite this dissimilarity, or perhaps directly because of it, a sense of widespread empowerment and expectation emerged that some say they have not witnessed for quite some time.
"This organization will not take away from our other identities, but add to who we are," Rev. Sonderman says.
The convention, lasting nearly two hours, hosted speeches from a variety of community members to lay out the ideological mission and practical plan for Common Ground. Speakers made demands for equality, fairness, community respect and recognition but also commitments of hard work, leadership and determination. Community leaders recognized Milwaukee's vibrant past but also identified current issues of neighborhood deterioration and political malfunction.
Nearly 2,500 Milwaukee residents attended, highlighting a list of local leaders including Mayor Tom Barrett, former Milwaukee Common Council member Vel Phillips, Wisconsin Secretary of Administration Michael Morgan and several state senators and representatives.
"Today we will stake a claim for this regional community. We come together to introduce ourselves to the world," says Reverend Bobby Sinclair of Mount Herman Missionary Church.
Common Ground is a member of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), which is one of the oldest and largest professional organizing institutions in the country. IAF networks over 50 organizations working for social, economic and political change in the United States and abroad.
Membership in Common Ground requires an organizational commitment of three to 10 participants and annual dues in order to avoid government funding. Milwaukee needed an estimated $700,000 to bring a professional fundraiser to the area and raised the funds in less than two years.
"This convention has made it clear," concluded Rev. Davis. "Today we have found common ground, and now is the time that we move forward. Now is the time to take the struggle forward. We will have specific and focused campaigns with a focus to win, not just be heard."
