August 2009

MOSAIC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CHANGES NAME TO INCOMMON

Organization will continue to serve the poor under new title

Mosaic Community Development asked the question “What’s in a Name?” in titling the organization’s re-branding event. That question has been answered.

The downtown Omaha non-profit officially re-launched under the name “inCommon,” drawing from the second chapter of Acts which discusses the need for community relationships, a need the organization attempts to address in its mission of alleviating poverty.

Executive director Christian Gray unveiled the new title with community coordinator Jodi Cooper Friday night. The two tore down a black curtain that had been mounted in the middle of Mosaic’s facility to reveal the inCommon logo, which still features the “mosaic moon” used in the Mosaic emblem.

“Albeit a radical way of approaching life, becoming an in common community has significant advantages,” Gray told a crowd of over 115. “We seek to guide people toward tangible expressions of this community. Together we perpetuate the possibility of holding our resources in common and the ground on which we stand in common.”

In addition to a new organization title, inCommon’s specific ministries have undergone name changes as well. The individual development side of inCommon’s mission, formerly SupportWorks, is now called CommonLife. This facet of inCommon features weekly meal CommonTable (formerly Life on the Brick) and Bible study CommonStory (formerly The Vine). The organization’s community development aspect that works primarily in the Park Avenue neighborhood in Omaha, SupportNetworks, is now called CommonGround.

The name switch serves as an opportunity to not only move forward with Mosaic’s new identity, but to establish the organization in the minds of Omahans who may not know about it. The non-profit’s support programs and financial stability are based entirely off personal and community relationships.

“The solution (to poverty) has to be found in people,” Gray said. “Our mission is to fight poverty not by offering (the poor) more services, but by offering them ourselves.”

“What’s in a Name?” festivities kicked off with an Omaha “TweetUp,” hosted by Silicon Prairie News, Thursday at 6:30 p.m. For over two hours, local Twitter followers of Mosaic convened in person to discuss the organization and new ways to use social media to promote events.

Mosaic elected not to announce their new identity publicly until Gray’s speech Friday night. Before he took the microphone, local acoustic artists Nate Mickish and Micah Bruce performed. Tim Wildsmith took his turn on the wooden six-string after Gray finished speaking.

Saturday, inCommon Community Development opened its doors for the first time. Local artist collaboration Just Rest created domestic pieces to serve as tangible reminders of poverty.

A silent art auction featuring 52 pieces took place throughout the three-day event.

The decision to change the organization’s name stems from the establishment of another “Mosaic” in Omaha. In 2003, Bethphage and Martin Luther Homes consolidated to create support for the developmentally disabled.

With its new name and image established an announced, inCommon Community Development is planning an informal meeting for Aug. 27 in hopes of recruiting partners and volunteers for its various programs. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m.

-Phil Ervin, inCommon Summer Intern

CommonGround

The time has finally come! We now have a catchy and reflective name for the work inCommon Community Development is doing in Omaha neighborhoods: CommonGround. We are excited to unveil this new ministry name as inCommon CD continues to support and advocate for the necessity of healthy and livable neighborhoods for all our neighbors.

CommonGround organizes asset-based neighborhood development through resident empowerment, collaborative partnerships, and creative initiatives promoting relationship-building and long-term, systemic change. CommonGround has collaboratively led the way in the formation of Neighbors United, an interfaith partnership involving over 15 faith communities, creatively building community in the Park Avenue neighborhood.

When considering inCommon CD’s general subscription to the ‘Three Rs’ of community development, the concept of ‘in common’ in the neighborhood context comes further into focus. As we advocate for and model relocation within under-resourced neighborhoods, we perpetuate the possibility of holding the ground on which we live ‘in common.’ As we advocate for and model redistribution, we perpetuate the possibility of holding our resources ‘in common.’ Finally, as we advocate for and model reconciliation (namely across socioeconomic, racial, and religious divides), we perpetuate the possibility of holding our our relationships, even our lives, ‘in common.’

-Brittany Hanson, Director of Community Development

CommonLife

As an organization, we recently changed our name to inCommon Community Development. The philosophy behind the name choice and change is largely connected to the scripture in Acts chapter 2 where we see a community of believers living a life of commonality and companionship with open hands and open hearts. We believe deeply in this “common life.” To continue moving forward with the vision we have of “transforming communities through community,” we are also changing the name of SupportWorks to CommonLife. The ministry still offers supportive networks for individuals and groups that are in relationship with those in need of these supportive relationships. However, we want to continue moving toward the ideal of a life lived together with commonality between all parties and authentic companionship. We long for the day when the body of Christ is living a common life with those in need, with vulnerable populations and neighborhoods.

-Katie Ursini, Director of CommonLife