common ground montgomery news and updates

the next steps

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BY CHAQUANA TOWNSEND

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

As we are almost one month into the 2015-2016 school year at Common Ground Montgomery, one thing remains true across the board: We need the Lord's help as we prayerfully consider, ponder, and talk through the future of the lower school students in our After School Program. We need help as we continue to focus on structure and discipline and more academics.

I love to brag about the children we serve because they are truly a blessing to this ministry. The Lord sends us some of the most amazing little people on the planet and we want to steward these precious gifts well. With that being said, we want to run the After School Program for the glory of God; we want to encourage our children to take education serious because education is truly a gift from the Lord.

God has created us in His image to reflect how amazing and creative He truly is. Moreover, since we are made is His image, we are creative and amazing as well. It is through our education and learning that we get to see what we are good at and we want the children to tap into who God created them to be so they can flourish in a world that so often can tear them down.

As program staff at CGM, we are serious about aiding the Montgomery Public Schools in their journey to educate our future leaders. At the After School Program we have extended homework time. We shamelessly use reading and math aids from the Montgomery Public School pacing guide and edhelper.com to help our children grow in their learning.

Please pray for us as we seek to better our After School Program. More than our children having fun, we want to them to love learning and excel in it. May God grant us the strength and wisdom to love them well and push them to be the best they can be!

We are some of their biggest fans, and we will continue to persevere on their behalf because by doing so, we bring so much glory to God! 

"uncle shorty"

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BY KEVIN KING

I  remember  leaving  community  college and  heading  to  Tuskegee  University  in the  fall  of 1998,  and  being  told,  for  the first  time,  by  my  mother  that  it was more  wise  for  me  to focus on my education instead of getting a job and working while taking classes. At some point  I  mentioned  what  I  had  been  told by  my  mother to  an older  adult  at the time and they asked me about why was I so obsessed with working. They were curious to know -  did  most people  my age and  in my circle of  friends back  home have the same  intensity and drive to maintain a consistent and quality work ethic? 

They  proceeded  to  ask  where  did  this mentality  come  from  and  have  I  always  thought this way...  I thought for a second and it quickly dawned on me that my Uncle Shorty was the cause of this. I reflected on the time when I was eleven years old cutting his  half acre of  land every Saturday morning with a riding mower. This was always fun for me because I got to pretend that I was driving my own vehicle. Uncle Shorty would always put a Gatorade in the deep freezer and I looked forward to drinking it afterwards. He would give me $20 and I would always talk about how cheap he was even though I was getting paid to ride around and have fun.

I  usually  finished  my  duties  around  noon  and  my  Aunt  Wanda  would  often  serve  me
lunch. Many times Uncle Shorty would ask  if I wanted to stop by a  fast food restaurant
on the way home and excitedly I would say yes! He would graciously allow me to order
first. After ordering what I wanted no matter how expensive I would step aside for him to
order his food and pay for the both of us. After all, he’s the adult and I’m just a poor and
helpless 6th grader!

Uncle  Shorty,  much  to  my  disappointment,  would  tell  the clerk  that  we  had  separate
orders,  and  he  would  say,  "Kevin  you  just  worked  and  got  paid  so you  need  to  pay for your own food."  

After a few times of experiencing this same encounter, I began to think whether or not it
was more beneficial to spend my money on fast food or eat leftovers when I got home. I
always thought Uncle Shorty was just being a cheapskate until I grew up and realized that
I never had an issue holding a job, didn’t spend money on things I didn’t really need very
often, and I didn’t expect anything from anyone. This mindset didn’t happen by accident. 
Uncle Shorty took the responsibility to intentionally teach me these life skills because he
knew  the  damage  it  would  cause  if  I  didn’t  develop  a  work  ethic,  become  somewhat
independent, and understand delayed versus instant gratification. If he would’ve lectured
me  on  these  things  I  wouldn’t  have  heard  him,  so  years  of  demonstrating  this  and
allowing me to experience this really paid off especially during tough times.

I thank him for being the mentor I needed even if I didn’t understand it at the time. I get it
now, and I’m still  learning those principles that were passed along by  my Uncle Shorty
who taught me a little about what it means to be a man. My uncle  is one of  my  biggest
inspirations and a huge reason why I am so passionate about long-term mentoring.  

grateful for our interns

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BY CHAQUANA TOWNSEND

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

As we begin the fall and the newest semester of the After School Program, I think about the amazing summer we just left, and especially, with the group of summer interns we had. The Lord did more than we could ever think, imagine, or even dream of this summer by sending us amazing, godly interns. The 2015 interns from Campus Outreach and other places served our kids and community so well this summer. I can honestly say, these interns loved our kids - really loved our kids. As we all know, children stretch you in so many ways and tend to push you over the edge. However, as I saw them struggle, wrestle, and ask the Lord and CGM staff for wisdom regarding the kids, I witnessed their desire to persevere and honor God in every way. I praise God for sending us these specific interns as such a time as this.

Every moment, difficult conversation, social event, and hang out time was an absolute joy! Even when I had to address them or point out an area of growth, it was received with much respect and grace. I am so thankful for Campus Outreach, and their willingness and obedience to serve alongside the CGM this summer! I am extremely excited for the next summer because of how well this summer went. These interns have done a job well done, and they will be truly missed!

To the 2015 summer interns:

Thank you for all you did this summer in loving and serving our kids, community, and staff. You were a gift to our lives as well as the children and parents. Thank you for doing above and beyond what you were asked, and thank you for being a godly influence and presence this summer. Your obedience to the Father will impact generations to come, and may God bless you for living out what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. I adore all of you, and we hope to see you again one day!    

volunteer thank you video 2015

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It takes a lot of people to make organizations like Common Ground Montgomery and House to House work, and it takes a lot of volunteers to help make a difference with the work that CGM and H2H is a part of in the Washington Park neighborhood. Thanks to all the volunteers, official and unofficial, that help us do the work that we do.

a lesson learned

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BY C.J. JACKSON

The heftiest Alaskan Bull Moose with the largest and strongest antlers often triumphs during the fall breeding season. However, it is what the animal consumes during the summer months that allow it to bulk up for betterment. Consequently, the battle fought in the fall is really won during the summer.

During the course of our Summer Camp at Common Ground Montgomery, we believe the same to be true with our kids. We strive to incorporate a good balance of academic work and contagious fun nearly every day of the week. We have created a curriculum that sharpens math and reading skills. In addition, there are countless electives and field trips that take learning beyond the classroom — allowing for an education that is hands-on and memorable!  

You see, we know that the fall season will be upon us before we know it — in fact, we only have one month remaining in the Summer Camp — bringing with it all of the challenges of a brand new school year. And the fight for passing grades and the hard work needed for success in learning will not catch us off guard. Why? Because we know what the Alaskan Bull Moose has taught us; namely, the battle fought in the fall is really won during the summer!

Please pray for our team — staff and interns — and our youth, as well, as we push on with the remaining weeks of the summer.