April 2009

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Dear Friends:

If you live in the Omaha area you might not believe it (what was with that snow this weekend?), but summer is on its way! We can’t believe it either and preparations are underway for what is going to be one of the busiest summers we’ve EVER had at Mosaic Community Development! Why, you ask? Because we have just received notice that we have been granted an AmeriCorps opportunity to bring on 6 to 8 Summer Interns! These “Summer Associates” will be working in different areas of MCD, in the Park Avenue neighborhood, with our local concert scene, and on developing MCD’s Promotional and Public Relations capacities. We can’t imagine these walls busting at the seams any more than they already are, but we’re ready to take on the challenge. If you are available for the eight weeks spanning June 8th to August 3rd, and want to learn about how you can join us this summer as an AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate, please email Jodi Cooper at jodi@mosaiccd.org!

SupportWorks:

The focus and heart of SupportWorks is to assist in establishing healthy, whole relationships between God’s people (Companions) and those in need of support and community. Right now we have a big need for Companions. There are a few individuals that have expressed that they have a need to be in a healthy community in order to move forward in their lives; however we are at a deficit of available individuals, small groups or house churches that are willing to enter in to relationship with them. Is this something that you, your small group, your church or a church you are in relationship with may want to consider being a part of? Please pray/think about this. These relationships will only be successful if they are entered into with joy in response to what God has done in you and for you. Obligation and duty should not be our motivation. If you have prayed about it and would like more information, please give me a call or shoot me an e-mail at MCD. My direct e-mail address is Katie@mosaiccd.org. I would love to chat with you as you are thinking through your role in SupportWorks. Blessings to you while you are on your journey.

Illumination Street:

We were lucky to have Katie Chiaramonte, a supporter of MCD, write about her experience at this month’s art show. Please enjoy as she walks you through her visual and emotional journey at the show. We hope she will inspire you to join us in July for our next show!

Illumination Street (IS) is a great place to spend a Saturday night for upstart artistic types as well as an innovative gathering for the socially aware. Not only is IS a great place to network with other like-minded individuals it is also a wonderful place to peruse local art talent and take in some refreshing live acoustic music while sipping on coffee and enjoying after-mealtime pastries. For those of you unable to attend this month’s event it will be my pleasure to mentally escort you through the doors of the Mosaic Community Development (MCD) Center, showing you the wide range of talents as well as giving you a feel for the ambiance of the event.

As you enter the doors of MCD to take part in IS (because you do feel like a part of something bigger instead of a mere onlooker) you are greeted by a welcoming hello and simple instructions on how to bid on the art pieces you would like to purchase. Once past the welcome table, I suggest filling a cup full of nice warm (and delicious) coffee and meandering slowly through the paintings hung creatively from chains on the old brick walls of the loft-like building. As you leisurely stroll through the artwork take time to listen to the lone acoustic soloist, Blepo, strumming his guitar and softly signing comfortable melodic harmonies. I suggest bringing a friend or loved-one along with you on your journey through the framed forest at IS, not only to expose them to the great work of MCD, but to have an outlet for conversation about the wide-range of artists.

My husband and I often gamble through the works together, picking our favorites and deciding together on our favorite show pieces. Conversation is never at a stand still for those moved by art and this month was no exception. With the theme of Devotion, captured by Danielle Powell and Jenny Cosgrove in their piece Destruction2Devotion, there was no doubt that the artists had come to share their hearts as well as their experiences through their chosen mediums. Laura Travnicek’s pieces Red and Purple evoke emotions of heartache and serenity, while, my husband’s favorite, Angie Philip’s Hope had us split between despair and faith. One of the highlights of the evening for myself was the work of Jodi Cooper, a member of the MCD team and, in my opinion, a brilliant photographer with a great eye for still-life that draw emotions of longing and peace simultaneously. But the cherry on top of the evening was Melissa Sinner’s collection of religious artwork that was pulled together in a seamless fashion by her outstanding Lady of Mercy piece. Sinner’s work speaks to the heart of those who have grown up in religious settings while painting a fresh portrait of often cliche images.

Needless to say, if you haven’t had the pleasure of attending an Illumination Street event, make it a priority! Supporters of MCD and local community members seeking to better their surroundings through creative means will find IS a refreshing and relaxing way to spend an evening while raising awareness and funds. Thank you to all those involved for giving my husband and I a taste of culture, exposing us to great local art, helping us fill our walls and bookshelves with mini-masterpieces and serving the community of Omaha by raising awareness for those in need of a helping hand. Bravo!

Park Avenue:

Opportunities to Get Involved:

The Neighbors United Community Meal Initiative continues to be a wild success in the Park Avenue neighborhoods.  Each week over 160 neighbors are joining us for a Saturday afternoon lunch focused on building community and relationships in the area.  We invite you to stop by and eat lunch with us any Saturday; several additional opportunities for involvement are listed below–click on the text or contact Brittany Hanson (brittany@mosaiccd.org, 402-933-6672) for more information:

• Meal Preparation and Service Volunteers
• Hospitality Volunteers
• In-kind and Financial Contributions
• Volunteers from the following professional fields: medical, employment (resume building, etc.), financial, mental health, substance abuse, hygiene (barbers, hair stylists, etc.), legal, and social work.

Spring in the Neighborhood.

Despite the temperamental nature of Spring’s arrival, she is finally here. On the days when the temperature reaches 60 degrees, I can’t wait to sit out on the front porch watching the kids play in the parking lot across the street. My porch is just half a block or so from the St. Mary’s Ave. and Leavenworth St.  intersection so it is a bit noisy due to the traffic. I sip tea and hear the ‘ding-ding’ man ringing his bell as he walks up and down neighborhood blocks selling corn on the cob and ice cream; sometimes I run down the street to find him so I can enjoy a tasty snack.

A bit weary from the recently temperamental weather, this morning I made a list of the many indicators that spring is here in the neighborhood.  Unavoidably, the list (see below) has many contradictions; the hopeful in juxtaposition with persistent frustration–along with my neighbors, I live somewhere between it all this Spring.

• Ice cream truck.
• For Rent signs.
• Neighbors walking dogs.
• Abandoned buildings.
• Ding-Ding man.
• Asphalt and cement.
• Kids playing across the street.
• Taco truck.
• East Africa Grocery Store.
• Chatting in the parking lot.
• Crack corners.
• Community Gardens.
• Lifted spirits.
• New construction.
• Stray cats.
• Green space, green again.
• Friends moving down the street.
• Pick-up games.
• Mother India.
• Spring cleaning.
• Bustling park.
• Contradictions.
• Graffiti influx.
• Full front porches.