If you’re already familiar with the Roots of Oak Tree you might notice a slight difference in our wording lately. We are excited to reveal our new mission and vision statements that we hope provide more clarity about what we do and why we do it!
It might seem like such a slight shift from Community Support to Community Development that it’s not worth mentioning, so what exactly is the difference? For the past 10 years we have been walking alongside the Marks Village community learning and supporting one another however we could. We have offered Relationships and Resources to help each neighbor on their journey. That will always be the foundation of what we do, but simply supporting was never the end goal, we have always been working towards development, to “rebuild the ancient ruins.” We want to see our community have the tools needed to build something beautiful.
There will always be a need for crisis relief in our community, but we have been slowly and steadily working to move beyond simply surviving whatever each day throws at us, in order to strategically equip our neighbors with the tools they need to thrive and overcome the many barriers they face on a daily basis.
NEW THIS YEAR
This year we’ve added a few things to move Oak Tree in the direction of Community Development:
We are in the process of renovating the Newman Center for Renewal which will be a hub for community wellness resources and economic development.
Kenyonia came on staff as the Director of the Newman Center and through her financial counseling we have already seen neighbors meet budgeting goals and repair relationships with the HABD rent office.
We launched our first business division, Renew Printing, which has already provided more part-time jobs in our neighborhood.
We were also awarded the Catalyze Birmingham Grant that has allowed us to launch our leadership development & career exploration program for high school to 22 year olds. 7 young men completed our first YouLead cohort and are continuing to be encouraged in meeting their personal goals.
the oak tree way
It is common in development work to talk about moving people from dependency to self-sufficiency. While that is a very good goal, we believe a healthy inter-dependency is probably more in line with the ideas of Scripture. None of us were created to make it through this life alone. Independence is good, but it is not necessarily best, or even a realistic option when coming out of poverty. We need one another. At Oak Tree we are exploring what it means to live in community, sharing all things in common, believing everyone has something to contribute as we develop our neighborhood into a place where no one slips through the cracks.
In the sermon on the mount Jesus said to seek first His Kingdom and everything you need will be added to you (Mt. 6:33), but the you in that verse is plural, everything will be added to “y’all.” So, maybe a better translation would be, as we seek to live the way of God’s Kingdom, as His Beloved Community, He will give us everything we need, so that as we share & care for one another, there will be Shalom, flourishing for everyone.
Thank you for your support that enables us to continue to grow and develop as a ministry. We could not do this work without you and are honored to steward these resources for the good of our community and the glory of God.
