CARRYING ON THE TORCH...
Over the years Shawn and I have told the story of how we came to Portland countless times. How we felt that we should sell our house in crescent hill and move to the Portland neighborhood just to love people. That we didn’t have any grand plans to start Love City, it all just developed that way, starting with purchasing the house we lived in. The house came with a 20,000 square foot community center next door and when we approached the owner of the house, he said, well it’s free, but you must buy the building. And then we usually continue with the story of how we started open gym, the fish fry, and the Love City community developed from there. We don’t usually get into the story of the man that we bought the building from, Bobby Otis.
Bobby Otis has had a presence in the Portland neighborhood for decades. When we met him to talk about buying the house, he was in his office at his used car lot next to the Mackin building. While he didn’t live in the neighborhood, he had been a part of the community for years, owning dozens of rental homes, the used car lot, at one time he also owned another auto mechanic shop up the street on 26th as well as multiple commercial properties in the neighborhood. Bobby was gruff, no nonsense and didn’t mince words. When we met him for the first time in his office the day we came to inquire about the house, he stared us down over the top of his reading glasses surrounded by stacks of paperwork on his desk and ancient printers, fax machines and computers he used to register used cars for title transfer and sales. It was a cramped smoked filled office with an old box TV hanging from the ceiling in one corner and security camera footage playing in the other corner. We sat in 1970s faux leather office chairs across from his desk and asked him if he was interested in selling the house.
“Well,” he said, as he leaned back in his chair and took off his glasses. “It’s not really for sale,” he said, “It’s a package deal, if you want the house, you’ll have to buy the building.”
Shawn and I looked at each other and then Shawn asked if we could see inside the building. Bobby continued to sit back for a minute and then reached for a large round key ring set hanging on a nail next to his desk. He gave us one more long look, obviously assessing whether it was worth his time to show us around the building or not. He must have decided it was worth it, as he stood up from his desk and waived us toward the door. “I’ll show you,” he said.
We walked out of his office and over to the front door of the Mackin building next door. I had taken out my notebook and pen to take notes and pictures as we walked through the building. Bobby unlocked the door and let us in to the small entrance vestibule. As I walked through the door, Bobby leaned over and asked me, “do you all have experience owning commercial properties like this?” “Oh yes, of course,” I lied. We had no idea what we were doing.
We finished the tour and met back over in Bobby’s office. Shawn asked how much he was looking for, Bobby told him the number and Shawn asked for the weekend to decide.
Shawn and I went home that weekend prayed and came up with an offer. It was about $50,000 less than what Bobby was asking, but we thought it fair based on the condition of the building and thought that if Bobby accepted it was a sign, we should do it. Bobby was no pushover, and I got the feeling would drive a hard bargain and had been driving hard bargains for years. If he accepted a sales price for less, then it was most definitely a sign.
That Monday we met with Bobby again in his office. Shawn was explaining more about who we were and what we felt like we were being called to do, which was just move to the neighborhood and love people. For all his gruff exterior I could see a slight flicker of emotion on his face when Shawn was talking. Shawn finished by saying what our offer was. Bobby quietly leaned back in his desk chair and crossed his arms. Then he abruptly stood up and walked over to Shawn. For a second, I wasn’t sure what he would do, but then he stuck out his hand and said to Shawn, “I’ve been waiting for you to come,” he said as he took Shawn’s hand to shake.
That began our relationship with Bobby. Over the years we learned more about each other. We learned that he was originally from New York, had run away from home at 13 and caught a Greyhound bus that ended up in Louisville. He managed to get through school on his own, learned a few trades, got married, built his own family, and started buying property in Portland. His wife of over 30 years works in non-profits that work with people with down syndrome, and his son graduated college as a teacher, but found a love for construction and fixing things, and now works as a successful handyman. One of Bobby’s passions we learned was being an Elvis impersonator. But not just for entertaining or for money, he brought out the Elvis costume for the kids at the down syndrome center, or for the kids at the Mackin center, always to brighten someone’s day. He had been retired for many years from being Elvis when Shawn asked if he would come out of retirement for our spring carnival at Love City this past May. Bobby agreed and came with his full set up to entertain the families at spring carnival.
Bobby, as Elvis at the Spring Carnival
This past week, while we were deep into preparation for the next school year. Bobby stopped by the Mackin building. He had not set foot in the building since we bought it. He had owned the building from 2004 – 2015 and had done most of the repair and maintenance work himself. He had put his heart and soul into that building, belying the gruff exterior he liked to portray to the neighborhood and showing an actual tender heart that just wanted to help the community. It had been too hard over the years for him to think about coming in to see what changes we had been making. I had invited him multiple times to come see, but he always declined. Just watching the changes, we made to the outside of the building, paving the driveway, painting the building, etc.
I’m not sure what prompted him to come inside this time, but I was surprised to see him walk into the ballroom as we finished one of our school prep meetings. I went up to him and gave him a hug, and then asked if he wanted a tour of the building. We went through the ballroom, the loft, through the renovated gym, and down to the basement where we had built out classrooms from the large open space under the gym. He saw little details that he had put in the building that remained untouched, like the various coins he embedded in the brick walls, the USA flag made from tiles in the hallway, the sign above the snack bar in the café made with tile cut outs. With each detail he would be almost giddy like a kid. “Well,” he said, “you’ve left some of me in the building.” I gave him a hug goodbye and left him with Shawn on the front porch of the building. As he was leaving to go back next door to the same smoke-filled office where we had first met him, he turned and said to Shawn, “I’m really proud of you guys.” He had tears in his eyes when he said it.
Since we have embarked on this journey in Portland, it has obviously become much more than we originally intended. There have been a few times where I have had the distinct feeling that we were part of some larger plan for humanity that spans generations. Our conversation with Bobby when we agreed to purchase the building was one of those moments. It was not only Bobby that was waiting for us to come. It was generations of people in this community that have done great work over hundreds of years that were waiting to see who would pick up the torch and continue. We are not special or unique, all we did was say yes. Everyone has the opportunity to say yes in some way, to be a part of that larger plan for humanity. Bobby played his part, and now we play ours. How special it is that as the torch passes from one generation to the next, we get to see and appreciate its importance and impact.
ONLY ONE MONTH UNTIL SCHOOL STARTS!
Our Administrative team has been busy working to prepare for the next school year. Here Nicole leads the team in planning out our four weeks of staff training. We take four weeks in the summer to prepare our teachers and staff for the school year. We still have a few open positions to fill including one teacher slot, so if you or anyone you know might be interested in Mighty Oak, please see the links below for our job postings.
MIGHTY OAK IS HIRING!
We have made progress on our hiring goals for this coming school year. We filled a couple of key roles this week and are excited to have them start next week.
Our biggest need still is we need teachers for our Elementary classrooms. Here are the list of positions we are looking to fill:
Elementary School Teachers
Receptionist
Athletic Director
Digital Media Instructor/Specialist
Parent Wellness Coach
Below is a summary of the teacher job posting. You can find a full description of the teacher job, as well as links to all of the additional jobs we have open on indeed and our website. If you or anyone you know might be interested in joining the MOA team this year, please forward them the job posting. You can find the job postings on Indeed by searching Mighty Oak Academy.
TEACHER JOB POSTING AT MIGHTY OAK ACADEMY
The Teachers report to the Instructional Coach and are responsible for leading their own instruction as well as collaborating on a teaching team to facilitate learning across multiple elementary classrooms. Teachers are tone setters for the school and responsible for high quality instruction, culture building within and across classrooms. Teachers will also need to be able to deeply integrate academics, socio emotional learning and health in our classrooms daily. Mighty Oak Academy is a new school, and as we learn and grow, we respond and adapt to the needs of our students and staff. This year we will have teachers working on teams across 2-3 grade levels to address different subjects, integrate project-based learning and adjust classes to skill level rather than grade level.
Some highlights from the job responsibilities:
Annual, weekly, and daily instructional planning tailored to the needs of each child
Instructional delivery in large group, small group, and individualized formats
Collaboration with other teachers to practice skills and jointly problem solve
Partner with instructional support team, behavioral support team and other related service providers to provide personalized supports for students with identified needs
Create a safe and enjoyable educational environment that encompasses project-based learning.
Use the school’s social emotional learning techniques for encouraging the social emotional development of children that builds a healthy, safe, loving school environment.
Manage classrooms effectively so that children feel loved, safe and want to learn.
Some highlights from the job qualifications:
You have a bachelor’s degree
You have a minimum of 3 years of experience as a classroom teacher and hold deep and diverse instructional competence
Your work demonstrates a practice of creating transformative classroom culture for all kids. You take proactive steps to build an equitable classroom practice
You have a parent- and family-centered mindset
You recognize the multidimensional needs of children and families, because in your own way, you’ve been trying to weave education, health, and family support services together for your students
For the full job posting and to see all our other open positions please click on the following link:
Job Postings at Mighty Oak Academy
HELP US PREPARE FOR SCHOOL
Our enrollment is doubling next year so our needs for supplies will also increase. We have put all the new supplies we need in an Amazon wish list. The list has everything from classroom equipment to traditional school supplies the students will use. If you would like to partner with us in supplies for next year, please check out our wish list at : https://a.co/77dqBIT
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.
Please consider partnering financially with Love City. We are looking for sponsors for students at Mighty Oak Academy as well as partners to help fund construction of our new preschool. Click the button below to donate today.