As 2009 draws to a close, we invite you to look back over Omaha Together One Community (OTOC)’s accomplishments, and then to consider an investment in the ongoing work of the organization.  OTOC, a broad-based organization of mostly congregations, brings together people from diverse faiths, races, and socio-economic levels to share stories of concern and hope for themselves and their families as well as for the community, and then, most importantly, to work together for change that benefits our entire community. 

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 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.

Expansion of Organizing Staff:  Besides the addition of OTOC’s two Alliance School organizers, Joe Higgs (currently the lead organizer in Galveston, TX) is now working with OTOC in Omaha on a part-time basis with the intention of serving as OTOC’s full-time lead organizer in the coming year.  Mark Darby and Brianne Ryba, both active OTOC leaders, became part-time organizers for OTOC in 2009.

New Member Congregations:  During 2009, OTOC welcomed two new Catholic congregations to the organization, St. James and St. Charles Borromeo.

Fundraising:  Raising funds for the organization continues to be an important task.  OTOC understands 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.  

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.