On October 31^st, 2010, Omaha Together One Community (OTOC) gathered with over 550 delegates from justice seeking congregations and institutions to celebrate 15 years of organizing for the common good in Omaha and in Nebraska. With a theme of Reclaiming the American Dream, OTOC’s 15^th anniversary convention      

·         celebrated OTOC’s many accomplishments over the past 15 years

·         presented issues that surfaced during a fall citywide listening campaign of 125 house meetings

·         invited participation in research and strategy teams to address many of the issues that were raised in the house meetings

·         announced a new leadership team for the coming year

·         received a sending forth blessing from over 20 clergy leaders 

OTOC, a broad-based organization whose members are congregations and like-minded institutions, organizes house meetings where people from diverse faiths, races and socio-economic levels share concerns and hopes for themselves, their families and the entire community.  Participants emerge who commit to develop leadership skills in order to lead research teams and action for change that benefits all.

REFLECTING ON 15 YEARS OF ORGANIZING

In 1995, a group of clergy and lay people came together and claimed that the American Dream should be available to all who reside in our city.  They had a vision of people of many faith traditions and many backgrounds working together to make a difference in Omaha. 

Making a Difference for Families, Children, Youth & Neighborhood Safety

OTOC has always believed that, as part of the American Dream, we must support families as they raise their children.  We fought for improved wages for summer staff in pools and parks so that the city could hire college students and teachers to work with our children.  We fought for longer library hours and to keep and then expand the Benson library.  We fought for summer and outside-of-school youth enrichment programs and improved relationships between parents and administrators at schools. We fought to improve relationships between the community and the police department.  We created dozens of new neighborhood watch groups.  We made a difference. 

Making a Difference for Meat Packers

Through house meetings, OTOC discovered that Omaha meat packers worked in plants where the line speeds were so fast that workers often suffered serious injuries and early deterioration of the their bodies. They were paid a pittance to put cheap meat on our plates. OTOC leaders fought for improved safety regulations in the plants and worked with Governor Johanns to create the Meatpackers Bill of Rights.  We worked with labor organizations to defend the right of workers to organize resulting in new worker unions in 5 plants.  And now hundreds of meat packers are working at better paying, safer jobs because OTOC believed we could make a difference.

Making a Difference in Public Infrastructure

For years we heard stories of people in east and central Omaha who had combined sewers so rainwater was mixed with raw sewage. During heavy rains human waste backed up into basements of many homes creating health and safety problems.  In west Omaha OTOC discovered that some road projects were delayed or traffic lights were not in place so that children could cross the street safely.  But OTOC believed that the American Dream meant working sewers and well built and managed streets.  OTOC leaders created a campaign sending thousands of post cards to the Mayor’s office from all parts of the city asking why there were no funds for sewer separation.  We worked with Public Works to make sure street maintenance was planned in front of schools at hours that did not disrupt the drop off and pick up of children. We fought for safer traffic lights. We made a difference.

Making a Difference for Immigrants                     

OTOC has always taken seriously the biblical injunction, “Care for the widows and strangers for you were once a stranger yourself.”  We discovered that too often the most vulnerable in our society were exploited and frightened.  They would not report crimes to police.  They paid high rents for roach infested apartments with serious code violations.   And so we fought to improve support of the ‘strangers’ who live in our communities.  A key victory was getting the INS to expand the waiting room at their office so that immigrant families would not have to wait in lines outside in the snow and rain.  We held forums on immigration in each of our congregations.  We helped organize the largest immigration walk in Omaha to support comprehensive & just immigration reform.  We fought so that immigrants might participate fully in the American Dream. We have made a difference, but there is still much work to be done. 

LOOKING AHEAD: 

MORE WORK TO SECURE THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR ALL 

Leadership and Staff:  At the 15^th Anniversary Convention a new leadership team was affirmed.  OTOC co-chairs for 2011 are Pat Caffrey (Second Unitarian), Al Howick, (St. John’s Creighton Catholic), Johnnye Jurden (Mt. Nebo Baptist), Brianne Kemp (St. James Catholic) and Cindy Sauer (St. Pius X).  Also serving in leadership positions are secretary, Vicki Pratt (Second Unitarian) and finance committee chairperson, Debra Romberger (First United Methodist). We welcome Joe Higgs, who will become OTOC’s full time lead organizer, and Elyse Johnson who will enter her 2^nd year as a full time organizer.  And with deep gratitude for their past work with OTOC, we say farewell to two staff persons, project organizer, Mark Darby, and office manager, Laura Neece-Baltaro.

Issue Agenda Development:  At the Convention, Mayor Jim Suttle, Police Chief Alex Hayes, Senator Brenda Council, and OPS Superintendent John Mackiel made public commitments to work with OTOC over the coming year to address many issues:

·         stronger collaboration between the community and OPD

·         development of just immigration policy that reflects Nebraska’s values

·         greater student achievement through parent and community collaboration with schools

·         needs for neighborhood revitalization in older parts of our city

·         best ways to serve children in the face of a reduced city recreation budget

·         community input as the city takes over job services from the state

·         refugee support 

Fundraising:  OTOC raises its small budget through dues paid by member institutions, individual donations, grants and an annual fundraiser event.  Last spring OTOC raised over $10,000 through a fundraiser at the Hot Shops.  Honorary co-chairs for the event were Gus and Doris Shoffner (St. Benedict Catholic), Wayne and Sarita Penka (St. Leo Catholic) and Mike and Carol McClellan (First United Methodist). Musical entertainment, food, spirits and a silent auction made for an enjoyable evening for the 300 attendees.  Brianne Kemp and Debra Romberger, are leading the team who will plan another OTOC fundraiser gathering next spring.  

Raising funds for the organization continues to be important work for OTOC leaders.  OTOC understands and appreciates that many who cannot give of their time are glad to support OTOC’s ongoing work through financial contributions.  OTOC is most grateful for both the time and the money that so many invest.  Please consider a contribution to OTOC.  Your donation will support important work on key issues facing our city and state as well as leadership development for ordinary citizens.  Your gift of any size will strengthen a unique and effective voice for the common good in our metro area and will be most deeply appreciated. 

Best regards,

OTOC is a non-partisan, non-profit 501 (c) 4 organization. 

OTOC does not ever endorse candidates for public office. 

Contributions to OTOC are not tax-deductible.

OTOC Donor Form (pdf)

OTOC Home Page

Updated 2/08/2011