Omaha Together One Community

Founded 1995

OTOC exists to recreate community.  In our fragmented society, people are disconnected and conversations about important issues are often difficult.  OTOC seeks to reweave the frayed social fabric and connect people across the lines that tend to divide them:  race, economics, religion, geography.

OTOC is broad-based, multiethnic and interfaith.  Members are institutions, mostly congregations, although civic organizations, such as neighborhood groups, Home Town Associations and PTAs also participate. 

We teach people to become effective leaders, explore their legitimate interests, do solid research, engage in sometimes tough (but always respectful) public discourse, hold elected officials accountable and create positive change through collective action.  Through the practice of these skills, people build relationships of trust and, by acting collaboratively, become part of solving their own problems rather than expecting someone else to take care of them. 

This is OTOC’s “Iron Rule,” never, ever, do for others what people can do for themselves.  Community organizing demands time, talent, discipline and commitment.  Those willing to do the work experience personal growth and transformation.  Leaders trained by OTOC have witnessed the impact OTOC has made on their congregations and the community at large. 

Shaping a Community that Works for All

Agenda for 2010           

Safe and Secure City:  In the aftermath of the Von Maur tragedy, OTOC organized hundreds in community conversations.  OTOC’s Agenda for a Safe and Secure City, a four-point strategy to address violence emerged:  stronger police community relations, safer neighborhoods, more activities for youth when not in school, and better jobs. Early in 2009, OTOC leaders engaged mayoral candidates and District 1 and 2 city council candidates in public conversations about this agenda. Over 250 persons attended OTOC’s mayoral candidate forum at Holy Name Parish.  Key outcomes of this work with city council members and the mayor included support for

  • funding for expanded hours and an anti-violence curriculum at four Sun Dawgs summer sites
  • a plan to address the backlog of hundreds of condemned houses waiting for demolition.
  • a focused housing study for the neighborhoods that lie between the NoDo and the Benson-Ames Alliance areas
  • an assessment of Omaha’s Workforce Development Offices
  • the Office of Public Safety Auditor and ongoing police/community dialog

OTOC does not endorse candidates, however hundreds of report cards on the candidates’ responses to the OTOC Agenda were distributed door-to-door and made available to OTOC congregations.  Each candidate who was elected to these three offices had responded positively and pledged to work with OTOC in all four areas. 

City Budget & Services:  During the summer, OTOC met with city council members and the Mayor’s Office to help develop a response to the city budget crisis.  Over 200 people filled the Board Room of the TAC building to hear the Mayor’s proposals for the city budget.  OTOC members then deliberated and adopted a position that any budgetary changes-cuts or new taxes must be necessary, fair and transparent.  OTOC held a September press conference at Elmwood Park, presented the following four points and challenged congregation members to contact city council members to remind them that OTOC:      

  • advocates a balanced city budget and understands that some sacrifices have to be made
  • will support a tax increase only if it is necessary, fair, and transparent     
  • will not support a budget that is balanced upon the backs of city employees.
  • continues to support essential city services that create a safe and secure city.  

In the end, layoffs and furloughs which were considered onerous were avoided, and the library and Sun Dawgs program remained fully funded.  In addition, at the press conference, OTOC obtained a commitment from the Chief of Police to meet with OTOC leaders to further strengthen police/community relations.  This fall, meetings were held with police in North and South Omaha.

In November, St. James Parish sponsored a community conversation to better understand the barriers unemployed and underemployed people face when they seek to improve their work status.  OTOC’s work committee outlined plans for research and action in the area of work.  

Education/Alliance Schools:  OTOC has always taken seriously the well-being of children.  Realizing the importance of student achievement, the OTOC Education Committee continued to work with Learning Community Coordinating Council (LCCC) members in order to understand the priorities and responsibilities of the LCCC, especially as related to diversity and equity in funding and program resources.   During 2009, with the support of a Ford Foundation grant, OTOC invested in Alliance School pilot projects in three OPS elementary schools. The goals of an Alliance School include

  • achievement of all students
  • strong relationships between parents, teachers, administrators and members of the community
  • development of teacher and parent leaders
  • parent engagement in the education of their children
  • development of a strong constituency in support of public education.  

Two OPS teachers, George Hansen and Stephanie Brunt-Howard, have taken sabbaticals from their classrooms, and through the support of an OPS externship program, are working as Alliance School education organizers.  Parents from these schools have built Alliance School teams and identified issues.  They have met with police captains to discuss community safety issues and with elected members of the Learning Community Coordinating Council to outline the services they see as most needed in proposed Early Learning Centers.  In November, Kellom Elementary Principal, Eric Nelson, hosted a public meeting at Kellom.  Dr. Mark Warren, Harvard Professor, author and researcher, was the guest speaker.  He presented findings on the effectiveness of Alliance School strategies.

May 1, 2010 Update

OTOC Action Teams are currently working on several issues. 

·        The focus of Workforce Development Centers and Job Training is to improve the delivery of employment service at the Nebraska Workforce Centers in Omaha.

·        The Neighborhood Revitalization team has studied properties between 42nd and 48th Streets from Bedford to Burdette to identify buildings that need to be demolished, encourage owner-occupied homes, and promote a renewed sense of community.

·        The Education and Alliance Schools team is helping low income parents at focus schools (Spring Lake, Gomez, Kellom, and Druid Hill) understand and claim their role in assuring their children are well educated.

·        The Opportunities for Youth and Families in South Omaha group is focusing on student dropout rates and reducing gang influence and violence. OTOC has also mobilized to urge the State of Nebraska to restore prenatal healthcare for all low income pregnant women. Thirty-five religious leaders, including Rev. Nancy Haley, signed an op-ed piece in the World-Herald.

·        Another team is providing input on the City of Omaha Budget to support family programs such as libraries and pool hours. 

Future issues will be based on feedback from discussions in local congregations. This is accomplished through house meetings held by member congregations, and planning is underway for the next house meeting campaign next Fall.

List of OTOC Member Institutions

 

Updated: May 2, 2010