CGS - The First five years

After Lee Mayhall’s internship with Common Ground Montgomery (CGM) and the marginalized West Montgomery community they serve, he felt God leading him into full-time ministry and one similar to CGM.

Sky Stewart grew up in a similarly challenging community and had grown a heart to see Christ's transformation in those who share an upbringing relatable to his.

So both Lee and Sky felt a call to invest in kids, families, and communities that find themselves in the margins.

Spring 2017

As Lee and Sky were graduating, a group of fellow church members had also felt the Lord stirring in their hearts and began praying about ways to promote unity, equality and change here in the Shoals area. The two groups connected in their shared vision and began to meet, plan, and pray.

At that point, Lee and Sky contacted CGM and, in God’s intricate design, they found that CGM had been praying too. CGM felt called to expand their ministry into other communities. Lee and Sky excitedly and prayerfully determined to start the first expansion chapter of Common Ground here in the Shoals area in 2017!

August 2017

Lee and Sky started spending time in west Florence to begin forming relationships and building trust in the community. They participated in prayer walks with local leaders, began coaching a little league football team, played basketball with local teenagers, and started serving with a group, headed by Kelly Thigpen, providing homework help to local elementary students. 

Spring 2017

The relationships through the football team led to an ongoing mentorship through weekly Bible studies and eating at school with the players.

The relationships through the homework help group led to a house to house group mentoring ministry. Sky and Lee would spend time with 1-2 families each day after school getting to know parents, doing activities with the kids, and praying with them.

Summer 2018

First annual Summer Camp at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church served 30 kids from the homework help group and the football team. CGS employed summer staff counselors to help run the camp, Fabian Cortez being one of them.

Fall 2018 

CGS signs a contract with Florence Housing Authority to gain access to its own building space in the Carver Homes housing area right in the middle of West Florence. We start what will become our annual thanksgiving meal.

Winter/Spring 2019

Florence Housing Authority begins full renovations of 1115 Carver Homes building at no expense to CGS. Tracey Shanes accepts full-time position as Girls Ministry Director.

Summer 2019

First Summer Camp in the new 1115 Carver Homes building. CGS served 60 youth. 

Fall 2019

First official After School Program begins. Second annual thanksgiving meal.

January 2020

CGS hires part-time staff. Fabian Cortez hired to help with organizational development as he finishes masters program. Detrik Pruitt hired to help assist with After School Program and Summer Camp.

Spring/Summer 2020 - COVID-19 

Fabian Cortez accepts full-time position as Director of Organization Development and Volunteers.

The COVID pandemic was a very trying and confusing time for all especially for those in at-risk communities. CGS made a plan to call every family involved in the programs every week and assess needs. CGS began supplying household supplies and food to families in need. In the Summer, CGS was able to provide 5 meals a week to over a hundred kids in west Florence.

Fall 2020 - COVID-19

CGS hosted virtual students on a rotating basis by family units.

Spring 2021

CGS slowly started back up with programs since the recovery of COVID. 

Summer 2021

The summer camp hosted a total of 48 students. The 27 (K-6th) grade students arrived in the mornings to participate in Bible study, 1-on-1 reading with volunteers, garden projects, art classes, basketball camp, swim lessons, VBS, and field trips around town. The 21 (7th-12th) grade students arrived in the afternoons to participate in Bible study, STEM classes, college prep classes with NWSCC, life skill classes, and field trips. We had 140+ volunteers and 6 summer interns who made the summer a success.

Fall 2021

CGS is back 100% to programing since COVID lockdowns with 20 kids in the After School program.

December 2021 

Lee Mayhall resigned as executive director and transitioned into a board member part-time, and into the finance/fundraising role. Sky Stewart accepted the position as CGS’ second executive director.

Summer 2022

First annual Colorado Trip.

Fall 2022 

Fabian Cortez accepts the position to become co-executive director. CGS experiences increased involvement with UNA sports teams and their social work department.