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Common Ground

In a diverse community like Lansing, Illinois, Common Ground offers 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: Building Community.

The articles in this category document the Common Ground experience in Lansing. For more information about the program and the resources participants use, visit the Common Ground library page.

Video: Four things anyone can do to build community this summer

Josh Bootsma - May 12, 2023

LANSING, Ill. (May 12, 2023) – In the Community Room at the Lansing Public Library, 30 people gathered to talk about four specific ways to...

Common Ground members invite community change-makers to public meeting

Melanie Jongsma - April 24, 2023

Monday, May 8, 6 p.m., in the Community Room at the Lansing Public Library LANSING, Ill. (April 24, 2023) - " want Lansing to be...

Common Ground impacts reported to Lansing Area Chamber members

Melanie Jongsma - March 9, 2023

by Melanie Jongsma LANSING, Ill. (March 9, 2023) - The Lansing Journal is a member of the Lansing Area Chamber, and we participate in and...

Common Ground project participants generate ideas at February 6 meeting

Melanie Jongsma - February 12, 2023

by Melanie Jongsma LANSING, Ill. (February 11, 2023) - A young Black pastor shares his perspective with a White 25-year veteran of the police force....

Local Voices: A Common Ground quarterly meeting recap

Local Voices - February 7, 2023

Submitted by Sharon Giles The quarterly meeting of the Common Ground Project met Monday night, February 6, in the lower level of the Lansing Public...

Video: Decorating the Common Ground Christmas tree at Fox Pointe

Melanie Jongsma - November 27, 2021

by Melanie Jongsma LANSING, Ill. (November 27, 2021) – The second season of Common Ground in Lansing has seen growth in membership as well as...

Common Ground celebrates one-year anniversary, welcomes new learners

Karen Abbott-Trimuel - July 28, 2021

By Karen Abbott-Trimuel LANSING, Ill. (July 28, 2021) – It’s been a year since the launch of the Common Ground pilot program, which started in...

Common Ground ends pilot program, opens program to the broader public

Melanie Jongsma - July 10, 2021

Celebration and introduction scheduled for Monday, July 26, 7:00pm by Melanie Jongsma LANSING, Ill. (July 10, 2021) - Common Ground launched in Lansing last August, with...

Common Grounders eye future of program at third-quarter meeting

Ashlee De Wit - May 8, 2021

“We’re just going to keep going,” says participant Laurie Crosby By Ashlee De Wit LANSING, Ill. (May 8, 2021) - Laurie Crosby is white; Valerie McDaniels...

Eight months of Common Ground

Ashlee De Wit - March 15, 2021

Well into Lansing’s year-long pilot program, partnerships describe their experience  By Ashlee De Wit LANSING, Ill. (March 5, 2021) – The year-long Common Ground pilot program...

Race relations program Common Ground launches, grows, and unites in 2020

Josh Bootsma - December 2, 2020

Common Ground provides structure for healthy conversations about race By Josh Bootsma and Ashlee De Wit LANSING, Ill. (December 2, 2020) – Common Ground: Lansing Edition...

Common Ground launch event a success

Josh Bootsma - August 22, 2020

Race relations program starts with in-person intro meeting By Josh Bootsma LANSING, Ill. (August 21, 2020) — Common Ground: Lansing Edition launched Thursday, August 21, with...

Race relations program Common Ground nears launch

Josh Bootsma - August 18, 2020

Kick-off event on August 20 at 7 p.m. By Josh Bootsma LANSING, Ill. (August 18, 2020) – The Lansing Human Relations Commission (HRC) voted to approve...

Human Relations Commission working to launch pilot race relations program

Melanie Jongsma - July 29, 2020

"Common Ground: Lansing Edition" to be submitted for approval by HRC, then Village Board by Melanie Jongsma Disclosure: In addition to reporting on this topic, Melanie...