Mosaic Chatter a publication of Mosaic in Northeast Kansas | 8047 Parallel Pkwy., Ste 9 | Kansas City, KS 66112-2078
January/February 2014
Mosaic in Northeast Kansas wins Take Charge Challenge, $5,000!
We started this challenge thinking it would be a fun learning experience for our staff and a chance for them to work together on the project but the benefits have been so much Exciting news! Mosaic in Northeast Kansas was recently greater than that. The people we serve are learning about named the winner of the Take Charge Challenge powered energy conservation and taking action to help by making signs by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and awarded the grand to remind everyone to turn off their lights and close doors to prize of $5,000! conserve heat. We learned about the challenge at One of our Direct Support Associates, a Kansas City, Kansas Chamber of DJ Tarepin, took the lead with creating Commerce meeting. fun classes for the people we serve and “The MOKAN Take Charge Challenge activities for them to do relating to energy is engaging businesses from four differconservation. At the end of the challenge, ent Kansas and Missouri cities in an everyone made posters highlighting their exciting energy competition designed to favorite part. The people we serve were impact energy efficiency with participants the driving force behind the passion that through education, engagement and we have all found for this green team Cassi Reimer - CEP, DJ Tarepin - Mosaic, Lana results. The challenge is poised to have a Smith - Mosaic, Mary Hindle - Mosaic, Patrice and challenge. dramatic impact on the energy future of Townsend - BPU, Kara Winkler - United Mosaic was officially awarded the $5,000 Government of KCK, Brenda Lander - BPU, America’s Heartland,” according to the Jeff Bryant - BPU, David Allen - BPU. prize during a celebration at our agency on Climate & Energy Project’s website. Feb. 26. The celebration included the mayor, Mosaic’s team completed tasks including taking a culture other businesses involved, donors, volunteers, the people we audit, performing facility audits, setting goals for energy serve and our staff. The event also served as an opportunity for conservation and hosting classes to educate staff and people more people in our community to learn about the great work we in service and then enter the tasks online to receive points. are doing for people with intellectual disabilities at Mosaic in As the business with the most points in Kansas City, Kan. Northeast Kansas. at the end of six months, Mosaic in Northeast Kansas was If you would like to learn more about the challenge, visit awarded $5,000. www.takechargechallenge.com.
Thank you, Salem Lutheran of Lenexa!
Harris and David are hard at work installing a chair railing. Northeast Kansas
Volunteer Day at Mosaic in Northeast Kansas was a lot of fun! Thrivent volunteers from Salem Lutheran of Lenexa, Kansas and Mosaic staff joined forces and did an incredible amount of work in the Day Services area. We had new chair rail installed all around and the walls were repaired and painted. The chair rails help protect the walls from being damaged when chairs
Thrivent and Mosaic staff volunteer their time to paint the Mosaic Day Service rooms.
and wheelchairs bump into the walls. It took a couple of days to get everything done and everyone is happy with how nice it looks now. We are blessed to have wonderful partners, like those from Salem Lutheran, and our awesome staff to volunteer their time on a Friday and Saturday for our agency. 1
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Mosaic loves our volunteers
Become a Host Home Provider
Mosaic volunteers are amazing! Ramona Parker is a parent of Randy, one of the awesome people we serve, and is a Mosaic volunteers. Ramona brings crafts and fun decorations to our Day Service program and she loves to visit. Ramona also serves on our volunteer Partners in Possibilities Board. She helps us with fundraising, community involvement and awareness and Ramona wielding her event coordination. You can often see magic face painting skills her painting faces at special events or for Lanisha during the Valentine’s Day party. dressing up like a famous character. She is a professional clown, after all! If you would like to learn more about her professional face painting, clown services, and more, check out LuLu Bell the Clown at www.ilikeclowns.com. Thank you, Ramona, for all you do for Mosaic!
Mosaic in Northeast Kansas has been working on expanding our services into the Lawrence and Topeka area and we are pleased to announce the addition of our first Topeka Host Home! We have a wonderful family who opened up their hearts and home to a young man in need. Host Homes are a great residential option for the people in our services to receive personalized care from a consistent provider in One of our many Host Home a family-like environment. Being a Providers, David, and Jeremy stop for a quick photo. Host Home Provider is similar to being a foster care provider. Host Home Providers are paid to provide services and supports to an adult with intellectual or developmental disabilities living in their home with them and their family and training and supports are provided by Mosaic. If you are interested or know of anyone who would be interested in becoming a Host Home Provider like David or our newest family in Topeka, please contact us. Host Homes are located in Wyandotte, Johnson, Douglas and Shawnee Counties and we are always looking for caring, wonderful people to join our team and family. For more information, call us at 913.788.8400.
We would like to offer you the opportunity to attend a free, one-hour event called Discover the Possibilities at Mosaic in Northeast Kansas. Those who attend will be given a tour of Mosaic’s mission and hear inspiring stories told by the people who know it well – the people we serve, their families and our staff members. Upcoming Dates: Tues., March 11 | 12 – 1 p.m. Tues., April 22 | 12 – 1 p.m. Wed., March 12 | 12 – 1 p.m. Tues., April 22 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Valentine’s Day
Interested in hosting your own Discover the Possibilities event? We will bring a Discover the Possibilities event to you at a time and location of your choice. If you would like to get involved or to attend one of our Discover the Possibilities, please call Mary Hindle at 913.788.8400 x113.
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Brandi sharing her baked goodies with everyone on Valentine’s Day.
Relationships Mosaic is an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Lutheran Services in America.
by Mosaic in Northeast Kansas
8047 Parallel Pkwy., Ste 9 | Kansas City, KS 66112-2078 P 913.788.8400 | F 913.788.2257 www.mosaicinnortheastkansas.org Executive Director Editor
We had a lot of fun on Valentine’s Day and were surprised by the wonderful creation from Brandi. She baked these gorgeous cupcakes to share with the others in Community Outreach. Thank you, Brandi for all of your hard work. They were delicious!
Non-discrimination Mosaic will not discriminate in matters of employment or service delivery on the basis of race, creed, age, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status or veteran status.
lana.smith@mosaicinfo.org mary.hindle@mosaicinfo.org
Mission Embracing God’s call to serve in the world, Mosaic advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and provides opportunities for them to enjoy a full life.
To be added or removed from the mailing list for the Mosaic Chatter, or to receive information via email, please contact Mosaic at the address given.
Integrity at Mosaic If you have a concern, call our national Confidential Reporting Hotline at 800.443.4899, or email integrity@mosaicinfo.org.
©2014 Mosaic. All rights reserved. Mosaic is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR by Lana Smith
T H I S M O N T H ’ S F E AT U R E D A S S O C I AT E :
I love the start of a new year and 2014 is proving to be an exciting time for Mosaic in Northeast Kansas. We focus on giving a voice to the people we serve through various individualized supports and by passionately advocating for them. This time of year, the legislative session begins in Topeka and we continue our advocacy work with our state legislators. There are many challenges facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities receiving services within this year’s Kansas state legislation. It is important that we communicate with our legislators to ensure we are giving a voice to the people we serve. Our Community Relations Manager, Mary Hindle, and I have already sent letters, emails and made phone calls to discuss our concerns and make sure the people we serve at Mosaic are heard in Topeka. One way you can help with advocacy is by becoming a member of Mosaic Allied Voices (MAV). MAV volunteers include parents, self-advocates, donors, elected officials and others who want to have a voice in affecting public policy on disability issues. Mosaic agencies and staff at our national supports office work with MAV volunteers at both the state and federal levels to advocate for and with people with disabilities and their families. We make sure MAV volunteers have all of the information they need and it is very easy to sign up. Visit www.mosaicalliedvoices.org to learn more. If you would like to be more involved in our advocacy and help us give a voice to the people we serve, just give me or Mary Hindle a call at 913.788.8400 and we will be more than happy to add you to our list of volunteers who make a difference in the lives of the people we support every day. I look forward to our partnership in 2014 and appreciate your advocacy!
DJ Tarepin – Direct Support Associate How long have you been with Mosaic? I’ve worked at Mosaic for seven months. What are your main duties? I am responsible for van routes, creating a calendar of monthly activities and outings, overseeing the cleaning crew, managing inventory and supplies, coming up with art projects for the people we DJ, the rock star, standing in serve, assist with volun- front of some of the cool art projects he helped the people teer activities the people we serve create for energy we serve are involved conservation education. with at Harvesters, serve as a resource for Therap, help to keep the vehicles maintained, and more! What is your favorite part about working here? All of it! I love being busy. Tell us a fun fact about yourself. I’m a really big Yankees fan. What are your hobbies? I enjoy movies, music and photography. If you could only pick one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Funny Thank you, DJ, for your outstanding service for Mosaic in Northeast Kansas! Congratulations on being selected as our Rock Star Employee of the Quarter!
Meet Steve!
Steve participates in Mosaic’s community outreach program, has a great laugh and is always positive! He loves the Kansas City Chiefs and enjoys participating in all of the activities. Here are some fast facts about Steve:
Steve loves his Chiefs!
Northeast Kansas
Hobbies: Watching the Kansas City Chiefs!
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite food: Chinese food and chocolate cake
Birthday: August 13
Want to meet Steve? Call Mosaic in Northeast Kansas’ Community Relations Manager, Mary Hindle, at 913.788.8400 to schedule a time to tour our facility and meet Steve, other people in service and staff members today. 3
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8047 Parallel Pkwy., Ste 9 Kansas City, KS 66112-2078
CQL’s Basic Assurances demonstrate Mosaic’s commitment to quality
Return Service Requested
A life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities.
The Council on Quality and Leadership’s Basic Assurances® has 10 factors that help ensure that Mosaic’s standards of quality do not fall short of excellent. This month we will share factor three, which focuses on natural support networks. This factor ensures there are procedures in place to facilitate continuity of natural support systems and recognize emerging support networks. Factor three also makes sure there are systems in place to provide communication between each person and the people most important to them and to facilitate each person’s desire for involvement and contact with their natural supports. If you have any questions or comments regarding quality at Mosaic, please call us at 913.788.8400.
Shout outs!
Employee Birthdays: Employee Anniversaries: Camilla Williams – January 11 Jennifer Dalrymple – January 6, nine years DJ Tarepin – January 19 Megan Lazzo – January 9, two years Maria Hernandez – February 16 Dwight Bell – February 2, two years Tanisha Johnson – February 17 Carzie Brown – February 4, 11 years Areatha Stevens – February 11, six years
Kudos:
Mallorie – “Excellent work partnering with KU Therapy Program!” – Megan Lindsay – “Great job keeping up on your workload of training Therap and a new DSM!” – Megan Donna – “Thank you so much for all your help with the holiday parties! I know I can always count on you!” – Rachel Aaron – “Thank you so much for helping clear off the vans! You are awesome!” – Rachel Rachel – “Great job helping prepare for the HUD inspection!” – Megan Cheryl – “Great job preparing for the HUD inspection!” – Megan Mallorie – “Thank you for all the wonderful things you do for Mosaic!” – Jennifer DJ – “Great job helping with the Green Team fundraiser!” – Megan Lori – “Thank you, thank you for joining my quarterly team and for all you did to help with the events. I couldn’t have done it without you!” – Kelsi Lindsay – “Thank you for all of your hard work and long hours working with the new host home opportunity in Topeka!” – Mary Harris – “Thank you for all you do in the winter for the vans! You are an awesome Direct Support Manager!” – Rachel Julie – “Thank you for jumping in and doing Therap 2.5!” – Rachel
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