tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post3389276667932383126..comments2023-10-23T12:23:54.134-05:00Comments on Larry James' Urban Daily: Common Ground CommunityLarry Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124477733714017000noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-74076487230248882182007-02-08T03:33:00.000-06:002007-02-08T03:33:00.000-06:00This is a bit random... but Change.org just opened...This is a bit random... but Change.org just opened for business. I put up a page for Central Dallas Ministries, in case anyone is interested:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.change.org/my_change/my_cvites/30" REL="nofollow">http://www.change.org/my_change/my_cvites/30</A><BR/><BR/>Thanks to all the blog readers for your support!<BR/><BR/>Jeremy Gregg<BR/>Director of Development<BR/>Central Dallas MinistriesJeremy Gregghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122578682015984032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-5072353948114159742007-02-08T01:11:00.000-06:002007-02-08T01:11:00.000-06:00I think that providing quality housing first for t...I think that providing quality housing first for the previously homeless and low-income is a great plan. It is hard for people to learn a different way of living when they are in the same environment that keeps them down. Even rearranging my furniture tonight helped me straighten up, and the new atmosphere added to my motivation to keep it that way. I also know people that a move across the street to a better situation has helped tremendously. Most of us have had some big opportunity given to us at some point that was instrumental in getting us where we are, so we can hope that this will soon be that something for those in need in Dallas. We all need room to grow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-9162138885501828102007-02-07T19:14:00.000-06:002007-02-07T19:14:00.000-06:00I grew up in Dallas my whole life, and you are rig...I grew up in Dallas my whole life, and you are right. We live with this idea that the poor are not worth the time of day. We assume too little of our fellow citizens. We view them as a disease rather than the people they are, or could become. I think the housing idea that New York has is a phenomenal work. The poor are people too, and too often we think of them as just lazy bums on the streets. I believe everyone has worth, and there are no hopeless causes. There are only hopeless dreams when no one takes action. If we take action, anything is possible, especially with God's help. I would be proud to live in a city that would take the time to encourage the poor rather than expect them to do everything on their own. I would love to be a aprt of a community that takes in the poor. Instead, good old Dallas turns the other way. I think there needs to be a change. Maybe someday there will be. I will be in prayers for our town.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-20041527322500116082007-02-07T13:51:00.000-06:002007-02-07T13:51:00.000-06:00Thanks, Amy and Jasmine for your posts.
I think t...Thanks, Amy and Jasmine for your posts.<br /><br />I think that "staying on task" is the one thing that keeps me from giving up. <br /><br />Regarding the mix of tenants at CityWalk@Akard, I have always thought that we could handle more homeless persons, but the City of Dallas took that choice out of our hands. We will stay with our current mix plans.<br /><br />Regarding the fight to change hearts and minds, we hope to produce a model project while we continue our efforts to persuade people of the possibilities of opening up to one another in love and mutual respect.Larry Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06124477733714017000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-90033439756335315242007-02-07T11:35:00.000-06:002007-02-07T11:35:00.000-06:00Larry, you mentioned that Common Ground incorporat...Larry, you mentioned that Common Ground incorporated only formerly homeless with low-income housing. Has this changed your mind at all about mixing market value units with affordable units at 511 Akard? Did Rosanne Haggerty offer any advice in tackling the feat of incorporating all three?<br /><br />Also, you mentioned the "community lie" that infects Dallas dwellers after long, continuous stays in the city. How do you intend to fight those who either believe the lie of hopelessness or don't want the poor and formerly homeless living near them (or in the same building as them as in 511 Akard)? This is going to be necessary if we ever want Dallas to be as successful as Common Ground in acting like "cruise directors" to the poor, rather than case workers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-68014888793183468212007-02-07T10:44:00.000-06:002007-02-07T10:44:00.000-06:00I am glad your faith was renewed by your trip this...I am glad your faith was renewed by your trip this week. I often wonder how you stay on task so well in such an overwhelming undertaking as you are involved with.Amy S. Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10520852667276261476noreply@blogger.com