Peace In The Streets: What Does It Look Like?

A day does not go by in America in which someone loses their life over something that is meaningless… and by gun violence.  In so many ways, America has become a “killing field” where even the innocence and the defenseless become victims to power, politics and money.   Even the once “safe” zones within our society are no longer barriers against the unthinkable tragedies of what is happening daily in the streets.  

 

Over the years we have seen a tremendous loss of respect for human life, kindness, decency and laws.  In many ways it does not matter anymore to be a good citizen.   

Behind it all, many people and businesses continue to profit from a gun industry that continues to operate in the mainstream and along the edges of society.  More people are concerned by how they can profit from an industry that is clearly out of control… and with no common sense, guilt or shame.   It seems that we have entered into those last days of “perilous times”, and “when people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…” (2 Tim. 3:1-2) and where “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (I Tim. 6:10).

Perspective

I left the military in 2002, after being on active duty during the Persian Gulf era, Bosnia Campaign, and the start of 911.  My tours of service included deployments and tours to Europe, Caribbean and Japan.  As a Chaplain, I served in the Navy, did a tour with the Marine Corp and Coast Guard.   During my time of service I had the opportunity to work with some of the best men and women our country has, we served not because of fame and fortune, but because we valued “What Freedom Looks Like”… and operated with a great sense of pride of living in the greatest country in the world.   We stood the watch and were willing to do whatever it took to guard those freedoms, not only for ourselves, families, but for other Americans as well. 

Also during this time, I had the privilege and honor to offer countless prayers, conduct numerous memorial and funerals for the fallen.  From a military point of view, I have seen death; I know what that looks like… And while in the service, I really enjoyed helping people, regardless of the situation, backgrounds, race, culture or religious faith… It was my job and calling…  I spend time meeting with the families to provide comfort, a listing ear, a shoulder to cry upon and a voice in which to express their feelings.    

The Streets

Today, I continue to fulfill my calling by working with people in the inner city of Milwaukee… through various churches and community groups … the context is different than the military… but some of the realities are the same.  In the military we served to preserve “world peace”… in the streets it is hard to define what the mission is all about… and it will continue to be hard to find when people lose a sense of community, value for human life, common sense and a willingness to work towards solutions to stop the violence.   

As the road forward takes shape, it will take a lot of people with courage, good will, common sense, and a calling to make a difference … they must see that the greatness of America far outweighs the lining of pockets at the expense of shattered lives, mental illness and youthful dreams unfulfilled.  By the way, I live in Oak Creek, WI, the place of the 2012 Sikh Temple shooting and we know "What It Looks and Feels Like?"   Peace...       

Community Outreach: What Does It Look Like?

Much of our American lifestyle centers about being involved in some form of community outreach.  It is reflective of what it means to help others, caring, showing compassion, being good neighbors, stewardship, religious faith and following the golden rule.  Today, every aspect of our modern society is being impacted by one or more forms of outreach and in many situations is playing a vital role in keeping individuals and families alive.  

In this 21^st Century many organizations, educational institutions, businesses, military, agencies, and faith based institutions are actively engaged in doing so kind of outreach.   Regardless of the size of the city, township, village, community and neighborhood, community outreach is occurring.  In addition, billions of dollars are spent annually, both from public and private sources to provide these kinds of programs, events and activities.

  

Making a Difference

Outreach is interwoven into the social fabric of American life and is defined as “the act or process of reaching out.”   In modern terms it has a much broader meaning and includes an activity to provide services to populations who might not otherwise have access to those services.  In another sense, it means going beyond oneself to see how to help others, filling a need and increasing the awareness. 

Today, numerous non-profits, churches, businesses, nongovernmental organizations are filling in the gaps of in government services.  Outreach activities fall into one of four categories including those that are undertaken in homes (i.e. home health care), public and targeting of individuals (i.e. free medical clinics), public or private targeting of organizations (i.e. foundational giving) and mobile or satellite (i.e. meals on wheels).  

Additionally, numerous agencies and initiatives focus on youth, homelessness, health care, shelters, foster care, food banks, feeding kitchens, crime prevention, and job training centers, and reentry for those incarcerated.   But true outreach… goes beyond addressing merely surface needs…but also looks at the root causes; it is built around collaboration with those on the grass root level to maximize impact.  In addition, various methods are used to get the word out about these programs including advertising, leaflets, newsletters, churches, libraries, markets, and word of mouth. 

A Brave New World

The development and implementation of community outreach programs continues in the 21st Century to be reflective of what any good society does in taking care of its citizens.  It’s a way to help those who are falling through the cracks to find a place to stay, a hot meal, employment opportunity, clothing and someone to share their stories.   Outreach can provide a way for so many to find their way in a complex work and to figure it out.   It’s a way for those who have made it to begin giving back and to help others less fortunate.   It’s a way for a nation to demonstrate to the world that charity begins at home and then spreads aboard. 

Truly noteworthy outreach programs are designed to last and to be a supplement to existing services.  They are designed, staffed and funded to get into those areas and communities that are out of the main stream of society.  The critical questions as we go forward include “Are we doing enough?  Why is there so much need? What is the measurable impact?  What are the real costs? Have we fallen in meeting our obligations or is this an indicator of a breakdown of a good society?   Remember, “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.”   

 

Urban American: Can It Make a Comeback?

Urban America, for good or for worst, continues to hold a unique place in our history, culture and hearts.  For many states, urban America is vital to the economic prosperity of a region, for tourism, employment and the home to key county, state and federal government services. 

Over the past three decades or so, a number of America cites have put forth significant efforts, initiatives and resources to the restoration of historical landmarks, points of interest, downtown buildings, parks, museums, theaters, lake fronts, harbors and surrounding communities.  This all comes as a way to counter the effects of decades of neglect, suburban sprawl, and shifts in demographics, plight of residents, and the loss of good manufacturing jobs. 

A Place Called Home

In his book, The Making of Urban America (1997), Raymond A. Modl cites that, “it is the people-their lives, livelihoods, communities, conflicts-which give cities their essential character.” Beyond its legacy, urban America continues to be a place of great promise, opportunity, education and new business enterprises.  A number of residents have found their way to the top in business, entertainment, sports and society from urban America. For them, life has been good and they are proud to be from the city.     

However, a vast majority of residents just want to make a living; the city is their home, regardless of its success or failures.  They have grown up there, raised their families, attended college, and learned a trade.  Additionally, they have witnessed the rise and fall of the modern city, the deterioration of vital infrastructure, changing political climate, flight of residents, relocation and the outsourcing of jobs overseas.  But, they still remain; they have learned how to survive through the good and the worst of times.   

Yet for others, urban America continues to be full of disappointments, limited opportunities, crime, injustice, prejudice and economic hardship.  With each passing day they continue to endure and survive the realities of poor housing, poor schools, poor neighborhoods, dysfunctional families, lack of employment and poverty.  For them, trying to get ahead is nearly impossible, just surviving each day is reality; they are always looking for a better day and an opportunity to make it out of the “hood.”  

The Road Ahead

The greatest challenge for cities in the 21^st Century continues to be how to bring urban America back from the edges of economic and social disaster to forward progress and prosperity.   The task ahead for this kind of change is tremendous and is no less daunting.  So much opportunity, so much promise and so much to get done...

Making urban America an attractive place to live, work and play will continue to be a work in progress.  A lot is riding on the success of new initiatives, investments and more to rebuild and revitalize urban America.  This includes how to attract future businesses, industries and tourism to believe in urban American once again.  It also includes reaching out and attracting a younger and more diverse generation to choose a promising urban lifestyle over one in the “burbs.”  In addition, it also means that the people who live in urban American have to be included in the “urban make over” plans and not left sitting on the socioeconomic sidelines.  The future and promise of urban America is always brightest when it’s residents work together to make it a place worth living for all.

Community Leadership: What Does It Look Like?

  Most American cities want to be known as a great city to visit, a place of distinction and designation. But in reality, great neighborhoods are the building blocks of great cities, the cornerstone of economic growth and the vanguard for positive change. When you have strong neighborhoods, everyone wants to move there, everyone wants to do business there and everyone wants to stay there.

Developing, building and maintaining great neighborhoods are quiet an undertaking. This is a task that is easier said than done, ideal in concept and vision, but may not be realistic due to cultural differences, policy, socioeconomic, demographics, and historical legacy. It is even more challenging when cities and communities go through periods of unintended downturns in the economy, high unemployment, political turnover, changing demographics, waves of crime and age. However, the desire to go from “good to great” can occur when there are initiatives to develop and support healthy neighborhoods through grass root leadership development.

 

Community Leaders

The key to great neighborhoods is strong and effective grass root leaders. They are the ones who live there and who care about others in the neighborhood, its safety, crime, schools, housing, businesses, social life, beautification, revitalization and its future. These men and women process a convincing sense and belief in the neighborhood and are actively engaged in keeping their community as a place of peace, stable and clean. They do not seek titles, but are known as model citizens, taxpayers, hardworking, and law-abiding. Too often, they work along the edges, in small groups and in the shadows, for them the cause is far more important than the recognition.

 

True leaders are individuals who lead people with a purpose. They have a clear view of themselves and what their community should look like and to become. They continue to work towards the standards and not to any particular exception. Even in the midst of hard times, these kinds of leaders continue to stand up and give voice for those who also live in the neighborhood. The real measurement of these kinds of leaders is not by what they look like but by what gets done.
 
General Collin Powell once was asked about how he would define the key characteristics of effective leadership that allow you to become an advocate for good... he stated "Trust... leadership create the conditions of trust within an organization... good leaders who are trusted by follower... good leaders take oorganizations pass the level the science of management say is possible." He goes on to say that while in infantry school... a sergeant once told him that "you know that you are a good leader... when people follow you only out of curiosity..." In his final remarks, General Powell states "they trust you.. you have built up that trust... how did you do it... clear mission and statement... selfish service... people look up to you because you are serving selfishly as the the leader... and willing to take the risk with them..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocSw1m30UBI

 

Worth the Investment

Truly, great cities are the ones that find ways to invest in the development of strong neighborhoods and its residents. In retrospect, the history of America is full of examples of good and bad investments in leadership and community development. Needless to say, cities that devote considerable time, energy and resources in building a community core leadership base benefits overtime. Additionally, these kinds of cities actively engage community leaders on various levels in the hope to maintain good and healthy neighborhoods regardless of changing times.

 

Strong neighborhoods help build great cities and great cities make a world of a difference to local residents who desire to live and enjoy a quality life. As a result, more goodwill increases and the general appearance of the community itself takes on a whole new meaning. In essence, neighborhoods are great because its residents are strong and confident that they do make a different, even when others don’t notice.

 

 

A Vision To Reach The Neighborhood

Per Capital, Milwaukee stands like many cities all around America in terms of its aspirations, challenges and people. Nevertheless, it is a city that continues to look for answers of how best to provide for the basic quality of life needs of its residents. Those needs include food, education, safety, employment, housing and health care. The central question to be answered is “How are those needs being met?”

 
Community in Transition

Milwaukee like others metropolitan cities is made up of numerous neighborhoods that are contextually changing each and every day... with people moving in and out… with people moving forward and backward… with people living above their means and with no means… with people on the go and standing still… with people living well and in poverty… with people in the know and those who do not care… with people making a different and those who are indifferent…and with people as leaders and those who need leaders. In all, it’s the people; the blending of cultures, ideas, and backgrounds that make each city in America so unique.

Rebranding the City's Image

Nearly a decade ago, Milwaukee began a campaign of rebranding itself in the light of the changing economic and business climate in the 21^st Century. That rebranding of the city as “An American Genuine City” speaks volumes of what businesses, civic and community leaders saw as necessary in order to move the city forward. However, that rebranding or “vision” has been quiet difficult to see in many of the inner city neighborhoods. Things appear to be lost in translation. If you ask people in neighborhoods across the city and ask them what is the vision for the city of Milwaukee, no one really knows… much less care…nor less what does it really mean?

Concern for Everyday Life

People in the neighborhood are more concerned about what is happening in their daily lives…what is happening on their block. It not about what they feel… it is not about what they believe… it is not about what they dream about…but rather it is what that they have experienced, know and witnessed. Their hopes and dreams are one thing…but the reality of everyday life is what makes a difference… and making their daily life better is what really counts.

Does a Vision for the City Exists

Steven Covey highlights in his book, “Principle Centered Leadership” (1992) that a “mission” only describes what you are about, but a “vision” is where you are going. The critical question today for residents in a particular neighborhood in Milwaukee is “What is your Vision? How do you see yourselves, what are your values, what are you hopes and dreams for a better community? Any neighborhood determined to improve the quality of life of those who live within its boundary must first come together and set that “vision” in place; the vision cannot come from the outside but must come from within. Secondly, there must be buy in of that “vision” by neighborhood residents. More importantly, a shared vision is quiet powerful and meaningful, for it sets the tone, builds collaborative and momentum. Lastly, a “vision” provides the inspiration, the hope, and the dream of what is possible.