Our church has partnered with InCommon for many years now. They have consistently connected us to the poor, homeless, and marginalized as our friends and fellow neighbors. No longer are we a church that wants to patronize the poor; we see them as our friends. To me, this is the hallmark of InCommon - building healthy friendships.
There have been many church members who have told me how awkaward they felt to simply sit down and share a meal, a story, a game, and some of life with a friend in poverty. They couldn't hide behind a serving line, passing out food. Each time I hear the story, I smile because I know InCommon is accomplishing their goal.
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- EIN 47-0842143
- info@incommoncd.org
- 402.933.6672
- 1258 S 13th Street Omaha NE 68108 USA
- http://inCOMMONcd.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Community Coalitions, Economic Development, Homeless & Housing, Homeless Centers, Human Service Organizations, Human Services, Urban & Community Economic Development
Mission: As an organization, inCommon''s mission is the reintegration of supportive relational networks into the lives of the homeless, transitioning, and at-risk individuals and families. We have found that in order for someone to transition from poverty, he/she must almost always have the love, encouragement and support that comes with the possession of committed, authentic relationships - unfortunately, the only relationships most of our friends in poverty know are broken relationships, destructive relationships, and service relationships. inCommon works to break down the dichotomy of "giver" and "receiver" and see communities and neighborhoods restored through mutual life transformation within relationship.We recognize the extreme importance and value of material assistance and programs (federal and private, national and local). However, we also recognize the need for healthy and long-term, supportive relationships in the lives of those we hope to serve. In this way, inCommon equips and assists the broader community in diving into a relationship with someone they might not ordinarily integrate into their lives.
Results: We have spent a lot of time with neighbors and residents, serving over 20,000 meals to date! We have also been spending most all of our efforts bringing the neighborhoods a central Community Center that will open in Spring 2011.
Target demographics: The under resourced Park Avenue neighborhoods in Omaha, Nebraska.
Geographic areas served: Ford Birthsite, Columbus Park, Leavenworth District and Park East Park neighborhoods.
Programs: All of Mosaic Community Development's ministries are focused on building relationships with the impoverished and marginalized in our very own city. SupportWorks is a team approach ministry of small church-based groups or families, which exists to -transform communities through community by developing supportive relational networks that offer holistic care for the impoverished with the aim of ending chronic cycles of poverty and restoring lives. Life on the Brick exists as an entry to healthy relationships by providing food and clothing, which will bridge the gap and help address issues of homelessness. We can think of no more beautiful place to build relationships than over a shared meal around the table. Our goal is to break down the dichotomy of 'giver' and 'receiver', and celebrate life alongside one another.
We share a meal every Monday night from 5:30-7:00pm. Park Avenue Community Collaboration is a diverse network of over 20 area faith leaders from 12 local churches and organizations focused on responding in relational service to pressing local needs and concerns. Each Saturday a different volunteer/church group provides a free lunch to the community, with the purpose of meeting practical needs and developing relationships among our Park Avenue neighbors. Together Forward: MCD works to partner with local churches to help mobilize them to connect with refugees in Omaha, in the hope of seeing these churches build relationships with the refugee populations and develop holistic ministries to serve one another. Since early 2007, local church Coram Deo has been serving the Burundian Refugee Community through Harambe (Kirundi for 'together pushing forward'). Each Sunday members of small groups pick up members of the Burundian community, fellowship together at church, then join one another at MCD for a home-cooked meal as they practice learning English through ESL and in the context of community.