LANSING, Ill. (August 10, 2023) – Members of the Common Ground program gathered Monday night to celebrate the program’s anniversary month and share their experiences since its inception in August of 2020. The meeting highlighted the program’s impact on personal growth as well as community understanding, as attendees shared their individual stories of how and why they became involved in the program.
Upcoming events
Group members listed a number of upcoming events that demonstrate Lansing’s rich diversity:
- Wednesday, August 16, 7:30pm: Hello Weekend is set to take the stage at Fox Pointe. Initially scheduled for July, the performance is an opportunity for Common Grounders to socialize together at a larger community event. Gates will open at 6pm.
- Saturday, September 2, 11am–2pm: Mexico en el Corazon will grace the Fox Pointe stage, bringing the diverse cultures of Mexico’s provinces to a larger venue than in previous years. Attendees are reminded to bring lawn chairs. Outside food and drink are prohibited at this event.
- Sunday, September 17, 1pm–4pm: Lan-SING: Music for the Soul, a celebration of local talent and diverse musical styles, will be hosted at Fox Pointe. The event, organized by the Human Relations Commission, will also feature local restaurant vendors offering a variety of culinary options.
- Sunday, October 1, 2pm–5pm: Common Grounder Karen Abbott-Trimuel will lead a Women Are Rising (WAR) Empowerment Banquet at the Wicker Park Banquet Center. Attendees of past WAR events have found empowerment and inspiration. Tickets to this year’s banquet are available through EventBrite (link).
Other opportunities for impact
A few other ideas came out of the Monday evening discussion, as the group looked for ways to be a positive influence in the broader community:
- Volunteering at local grade schools, including reading to younger classes
- Volunteering at TF South High School, perhaps helping to direct traffic after school
- Intentionally welcoming new people who move into the neighborhood
- Reaching out to the family of the Lansing man who was killed earlier this month
- Attending Village Board meetings (and other public meetings too)
- Inviting new people to join individual Common Ground meetings
- Inviting people to attend large-group Common Ground meetings at the library
- Inviting people to the events listed above
The Common Ground program was established in Lansing to provide opportunities for residents to learn more about each other through one-on-one conversation. The Lansing Journal sponsors the Common Ground program because it aligns with the newspaper’s mission of Building Community.
More information is available on the About Common Ground page (link).
