Cyclical and systemic issues rooted in classism, racism, and greed plague impoverished neighborhoods across America. Issues ranging from lack of stability in family units to rising crime and lack of municipal resources make it an anomaly for youth in these communities to find long-term success. To help change the odds, Common Ground Montgomery focuses on youth development in Alabama.

CGM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-denominational Christian community organization. Our current focus is on renovating our camp and retreat location, Onawa, outside Verbena, Alabama. We also have a First Class Pre-K program in Montgomery, Alabama, and we partner with several Montgomery community organizations to serve the greater Montgomery area.

We have two sister locations, Common Ground Troy in Troy, Alabama, and Common Ground Shoals in Florence, Alabama. They offer after school programs throughout the academic year, and switch to a summer program while school is out.

With our network of donors and volunteers, we hope to not just help a few disadvantaged students in Alabama beat the odds, we hope to change the odds for them and future generations.

the vision & mission of cgm

vision

Our vision is to see disadvantaged neighborhoods in Alabama thrive and become communities with strong, godly leadership, intact two-parent families, that focus on caring for the underprivileged, poor, and marginalized, and become incubators for gospel-created, cross-cultural relationships that transform Alabama and beyond. 

mission

Our mission to bring revitalization and transform Alabama and beyond, to the glory of God, is through:

• 1. Building leaders from youth through long-term mentorship, biblical discipleship, and developmental programs

• 2. Creating an umbrella of Christian community development partners that focus on neighborhood transformation

• 3. Teaching principles of unity and change through the Common Ground Institute