Promise December 2015

VOLUME 9 | ISSUE 2

a publication of

CEO’S PAGE

An Essential Message of Hope “We are a good news story in a world filled with much sin and sadness.”

Linda Timmons President & CEO Mosaic

Last year we introduced a guiding document called Forward in Faith to lead us into our second century of service. Two statements have been especially powerful: • “Together with those we serve and their families, dedicated supporters, the church and community partners, Mosaic is passionate about making a difference in the world.”

• “Our mission has never been about buildings or programs – it has always been about people and making a difference in the world.”

In today’s world, this is an essential message of hope. We are a good news story in a world filled with much sin and sadness.

After watching or reading the news, we may feel hopeless, wondering in prayer what we can do to make a difference.

But there is so much hope and goodness in the world. I see the difference that Mosaic employees are making for people. I see the difference that volunteers are making for people. Mostly, I see the joy in the faces of those we serve and their families.

Mosaic is fundamentally a ministry of service to the world.

When we make one person’s life better, we make the world a better place. I am not diminishing the suffering of people in our world; I pray for them daily. But I know where I can make a difference, and I am grateful for that opportunity to be a part of Mosaic.

Thanks to the work of so many, Mosaic is making a difference.

It is exciting to see the growing independence of many of the people we serve. We know that, with the right supports, people with disabilities can lead full lives in the community. They don’t need to be taken care of as much as they need support to make their own decisions and choose their own way in life – pretty much like you or me. That is making a difference.

Your support of Mosaic by prayer, advocacy, and gifts, is changing the world – one life at time. Thank you for being a partner of this mission.

Contents 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.

Affiliation

Mosaic is an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and a member of Lutheran Services in America.

Mosaic Board of Directors Lisa Negstad – Chairperson James S. Bowen Linda K. Burt Douglas Hillman The Rev. Keith Hohly Max Miller Kathy Patrick Sandra Scott Pamela Spadaro Conrad T. Swanson James P. Totsch Joseph Turkowsk James Zils

An Essential Message of Hope Preparing the Next Generation of Church Leaders for Ministry with Disabilities

IFC

Coming Soon to Your State! (We Hope.)

Encouraging Collaboration Over Competition

Bits & Pieces Around Mosaic

2 3 4 7 8 10 12

Representing Individuals with Disabilities at the United Nations

BC

FC

Call it Dedication. Call it Generosity. Call it Amazing!

Connecting People to the Community

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12

A Tailored Approach to the People We Serve

The Mosaic Foundation Board of Directors

Thomas L. Earnshaw – Chairperson Kent Cattarello Ramona Edwards Devin B. Gorman Robert J. Graulich Susan C. Lutz Thomas J. Riederer Pamela Spadaro Lisa Negstad – ex-officio

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.

Winter 2015 | v.09.02

Read about the latest developments at Mosaic on our blog: www.mosaicpossible.org.

Front cover: Jessica Riley at the school at Mosaic in Axtell.

Read more about the school on page 7.

Publisher: Renee Coughlin, Senior Vice President of Mission Advancement Editor: Randall Donner, Director of Communications Promise shares stories and insights about the ministry of Mosaic.

Copyright ©2015, Mosaic. All information accurate on December 4, 2015.

Mosaic is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Mosaic | 4980 S. 118th St. | Omaha, NE 68137-2220 www.mosaicinfo.org | info@mosaicinfo.org | 877.366.7242

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CARING COMMUNITY

Preparing the Next Generation of Church Leaders for Ministry with Disabilities

by Carrie Gubsch, Communications Specialist If Wartburg seminary student Dara Stull could share only one lesson from time she spent with Mosaic last summer, it is “Be not afraid.”

“People get really nervous by the thought of working with people with intellectual disabilities,” she said.

“They’re afraid that they’re not going to know how to communicate with them, but they can’t be afraid of it.

These are people who have a lot to teach us about how God works in the world.”

Stull was one of a handful of seminary students learning about ministry with and among people with intellectual disabilities through a partnership between Mosaic and Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. The classes were taught by the Rev. Dr. David deFreese, Mosaic’s Vice President of Church Relations and the Rev. Dr. Jim Fruehling, Mosaic’s Vice President of Behavioral and Spiritual Supports.

“The students were full of life,” deFreese said. “They taught us a lot.”

The students spent two weeks in class, where they learned about theology and disability, heard stories from Mosaic’s history and spent time

with the people Mosaic serves and employees. The group also spent time at Mosaic’s campus location in Axtell and with Mosaic in Omaha, where they spent time with residents and employees.

“What we are after is sensitivity and empathy for future leaders of the church,” deFreese said. “People with disabilities are needed and missing in our churches and these students understood that.”

Part of the seminary immersion experience included reflection papers on what the students learned while studying with Mosaic. Snippets from their papers appear on the next page.

The class was a mix of students who want to be pastors and students who will serve as either diaconal ministers, deaconesses or associates in ministry.

Stull, who will graduate from Wartburg with a master’s in divinity and plans to be a pastor, developed a passion for working with children with autism while serving as a camp director.

“There isn’t a whole lot of other resources out there to prepare leaders,” Stull said. “When this class came up on the schedule, I was pretty excited.”

Seeing what happens to people with disabilities when they are adults was very informative, she said.

“Even though I had worked with people with disabilities, it had mostly been with young people. To see the care and the relationships that the staff have with the people in group homes was pretty fantastic,” Stull said.

“To hear from staff the pride that they have in what they do was very telling. To actually see that happen as we spent time in the day centers and the training centers was amazing.”

The program was funded in part by a grant from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) “Always Being Made New” 25th anniversary campaign, which includes $4 million for expanding ministry with people living with disabilities.

Tami Groth, a Wartburg diaconal student, works with Barbara Kenney.

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CARING COMMUNITY

“We must take care to discover the gifts of those whose physical and intellectual limitations may make it hard to see because we, whose limitations are only less obvious, need their gifts as much as they need ours.”

– Teri Wagner

Dara Stull interacts with Barbara Kenney at Mosaic in Axtell.

“The church’s mission is the same as Jesus’ mission: to recognize that all people are beloved children of God, and to find ways to bring all people into the full community of saints. The goal is to help make all people, including those with intellectual disabilities, know that they are included, wanted, and loved, and to try and make sure that all people can live as full a life as possible.”

– Larry Novak “Perhaps what is most striking to me is the overwhelming sense of community that exists in each of the Mosaic agencies we visited. … Prior to spending time here, my understanding of community development and formation was strongly tied to verbal communication and conversation that happens within a group of people. Just because some people are unable to speak does not mean that they are unable to proclaim their presence, and find their role within the community.”

– Dara Stull

Call it Dedication.

Call it Generosity.

Call it Amazing!

In the 2015 annual employee campaign, more than 54 percent of Mosaic employees across the country chose to give to Mosaic. That’s 2,438 employees who said, “Yes, I want to give to help the people we serve.”

The total amount pledged through employees’ gifts was $287,328.94. Gifts are made through payroll deduction or as one-time gifts. Since Mosaic was formed in 2003, more than $2.65 million has been given by employees through the campaign to support the mission. That figures does not count the hundreds of thousands of dollars that employees give through other pledges, which this year alone totals nearly $50,000.

Possibilities are as personal as you.

What do you see happening with your Employee Campaign contribution?

The 2015 employee campaign theme was “Possibilities are Personal.”

“Mosaic is lucky to have so many employees for whom this is not just a job,” said Linda Timmons, Mosaic President and CEO. “Clearly the work we do is personal to them, too.”

Join Mosaic’s Online Social Network Like! facebook.com/mosaicpossible

Follow! twitter.com/mosaicpossible

Subscribe! youtube.com/mosaicpossible

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MEANINGFUL LIFE

Connecting People to the Community Parallel paths of a vision for personalized services, community involvement and evolving expectations from families are driving change in Mosaic’s future and causing the organization to “think differently about how we provide services,” according to Raul Saldivar, Mosaic Chief Operating Officer.

“The model of service is not as important as how we execute the services,” he said. “We need to create choice for people.”

Saldivar noted that many of the typical experiences that might be part of growing up aren’t always present in the lives of people with disabilities. Yet those experiences help shape people’s goals and desires. When you have limited experiences, you have limited knowledge from which to make choices.

Last year Mosaic released its Forward in Faith vision for a second century of service. Part of the vision is that local agencies work to grow community involvement with Mosaic’s mission and with the people Mosaic supports to help people experience new things.

“We have placed people into communities but not always have they become part of the community,” Saldivar said. “Our job is to connect people so they can be a part of the community.”

That is also the growing expectation of people served as well as their families. Saldivar said that people with disabilities sometime feel as though choices end once they get out of school. The limited options of group homes or day programs are not what people are seeking.

Instead, a parent today expects something similar to “a la carte services” where people are able to pick and choose exactly what they want.

While that vision dovetails perfectly with Mosaic’s move to personalized services, it also presents challenges because employees need to think creatively about how they can serve people.

Creativity, community involvement and personalized

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by Randall Donner, Communications Director

services were all part of the mix that helped Josh Douglas of Mosaic in Garden City (Kansas) find a hobby that could possibly turn into a business. Kim Inderlied, a community volunteer, was working with Vickie Harshbarger, the Mosaic Community Relations Manager, to look at employment opportunities for Douglas.

“At first glance upon meeting Josh, you might not think he has a lot of capabilities due to his cerebral palsy, deafness, and being non-verbal,” Harshbarger said. “But as we discovered, Josh has potential and a lot of it.”

Noting that Douglas enjoyed putting things together and wearing bracelets and necklaces, the two thought perhaps he might like making jewelry that he could sell.

“Kim put together a makeshift device to assist Josh in holding one end of the string and we purchased many varieties of beads to determine Josh’s motor skills,” Harshbarger said. “Not only can Josh string the beads but he can also tie off and apply the clasps to finish the piece.”

The next step is to help Douglas start to sell his creations, Harshbarger said.

“The big challenge we have is for people to communicate their wants and needs,” Saldivar said. “They’re not always able to communicate so we need to provide opportunities for experiences.”

Beyond how people spend their days, where they live and with whom they live are also areas where change is happening. Saldivar noted that new regulations about housing have aligned with Mosaic’s Forward in Faith vision that gives people more choice. They also reflect the trend that more people are moving into smaller, integrated settings. The main criteria, Saldivar said, is finding what works best for the individual.

While change is happening rapidly and influenced by many factors, Saldivar remains confident in the future for Mosaic and the people served.

“We are moving together,” he said. “We are here to improve the lives of people.”

Engaging a Community Linda Turner waves from her small front porch at the man sitting across the street on his porch.

“How are you doing? Do you like this rain?” she asks.

It’s a typical exchange between neighbors. But it is new for this little neighborhood where Mosaic once provided housing exclusively for people with disabilities. Now there are new neighbors: families, single mothers, people who don’t have disabilities.

The neighborhood of eight duplexes was built in 1995.

It was a response to a group of families that wanted a campus-like residential area in Omaha for their children with disabilities. The homes are on a tree-lined, dead-end street and there’s a community center, common areas, and a community garden with raised beds – it is picturesque and comfortable. But the housing was segregated; only people with intellectual and developmental disabilities lived there.

Twenty years later, families and people with disabilities desire housing that is not segregated, so Mosaic is transitioning the area.

“To be respectful of our mission, we have to think about how to make people part of the community,” said Dolores Bangert, Mosaic’s Vice President of Fixed Asset Development.

After 20 years of use, the 16 duplex units needed some updating. Each is receiving a full renovation that brings an open floor plan to the three-bedroom units. They’re getting new, stylish finishes, new driveways and landscaping. Some residents who’ve lived there for years have moved into the newly renovated space, while others have been opened up as low-income housing for the larger community.

Turner, who lives on disability income since an accident a few years back, has been in hers for just a few months. She said it is like a dream come true because everything is on one floor and it’s all new and modern.

“They give people who are less fortunate a chance,” she said.

Now, instead of big vans used to transport people who use wheelchairs, you’re as likely to see a child’s play car or bike on the street.

“We are trying to build community in the place where people with disabilities are,” Bangert said.

Building community includes social activities for the neighbors, neighborhood council, and other opportunities to interact, like the community garden.

Dale Smith has lived in the area for 10 years, the last six months in a newly renovated unit. He and his roommate live right across the street from Turner. He said the change has been good.

“The people are friendly,” he said.

“There are things to do. It feels like a neighborhood.”

Dale Smith has enjoyed the change that came to his neighborhood.

On this and the previous page, Josh Douglas creates jewelry. His next goal is to sell the items he has made.

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“It’s not the holidays without…”

Although some people who receive services from Mosaic have no family to share special times, we make sure they’re not forgotten.

You can help.

Your gifts to Mosaic not only help with needed items like winter coats and caps, they also help with the special gifts like a movie pass or restaurant gift card to help people celebrate the special times.

Use the enclosed gift envelope to make a difference for people with disabilities.

Thank you for your support of our mission.

“It’s not the holidays without … YOU!” Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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MEANINGFUL LIFE

A Tailored Approach to the People We Serve

by Carrie Gubsch, Communications Specialist

Growth in the number of people identified with autism has created a waiting list at Mosaic’s school in Axtell, Neb., and is one of the factors driving Mosaic’s move to fully personalized services for all people.

About one in 68 children in the U.S. have been identified with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and, for whatever reason, identifications have increased sharply in recent years.

“Our proportion of folks with autism is increasing,” said the Rev. Dr. Jim Fruehling, a licensed psychologist and ELCA pastor who serves as Mosaic’s Vice President of Behavioral and Spiritual Supports. “We will have to be more and more sensitive to the different services this population wants and needs.”

The official diagnostic criteria for autism is two pages long, but characteristics include difficulty communicating and interacting with others, repetitive behavior patterns, limited interests or activities, and sensory issues that interfere with typical life activities.

Sharing knowledge about how Mosaic can support people with autism is key in making sure they can lead meaningful lives, said Karen Fry, Mosaic’s Mental and Behavioral Health Director.

“There are a lot of people in Mosaic who know a lot about autism,” Fry said. “We can share our knowledge across the nation and fill in the gaps.”

Knowledge sharing starts with making sure that staff are aware of how autism differs from other diagnoses.

“Sometimes people just need to know more,” Fry added. “If you don’t realize what’s going on, you can’t address it.”

The knowledge that someone with autism is going to perceive things differently can make a huge difference.

“A long time ago we would have said, ‘Stop rocking.’

Now we give them a rocking chair,” Fry said.

As Mosaic’s knowledge grows, it can focus more on tailoring its approach to the needs of the people it serves with autism.

Fry and Fruehling are a part of a task force at Mosaic that is looking into ways that staff members can work together to address the needs of children and adults with autism. That team is led by Molly Kennis, who serves as Mosaic’s Vice President of Operations in Colorado.

“We have more parents who are asking about autism services,” Kennis said. “They know what Mosaic offers, but it’s not exactly what they want for their child. I think the task force really wants to be creative and personalized with our approach.”

That personalized approach to services is producing strong results at Mosaic’s specialized school in Axtell, Neb. The school serves 29 students, many of whom have autism.

“It’s not like a regular school that someone with special needs is plugged in,” said Debbie Herbel, Mosaic’s Executive Director in Axtell. “We individualize each curriculum.”

The school uses what’s called the TEACCH approach, which adapts curricula to the learning styles of children with autism.

“We see progress almost instantly,” Herbel said of students who come to the school.

Everything in the classroom is designed to create an environment to support the students’ learning. Classroom changes happen about every 5-15 minutes and students aren’t forced to stay on a subject, which helps students stay connected.

One of the newest students hadn’t been able to attend school previously. But within three months of using personalized supports, he is exceeding expectations in the classroom.

“No one thought he would do as well as he could,” Herbel said. “He’s just thriving.”

Right now the school has six students on a six- to ninemonth waitlist. The school receives requests from across the state of Nebraska and hopes to continue its success.

Fry said that the school is just one example of the good things going on across Mosaic to support people with autism.

“There’s good stuff going in all places we serve,” she added.

Noah Busse works with Mitchell Sloggett at the school at Mosaic in Axtell.

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GIVING A VOICE

Coming Soon to Your State! (We Hope.)

In December 2014, President Barack Obama signed into law the ABLE Act (Achieving a Better Life Experience), which allows people with disabilities to create tax-exempt savings accounts that are not included in means-testing for benefit eligibility. Although federally available, each state must enact legislation authorizing an ABLE program for its residents. In 2015, more than 30 states passed authorizing legislation.

It’s a big deal to people like Erin Prause at Mosaic in Connecticut. Prause works part-time in a program that teaches job skills. She’s done baking and worked a cash register and computer, as well as other jobs. Her goal is to someday work in an office.

“I do save money but it is kind of hard,” she said. “I can’t have a lot of money.”

Elise Arseneau, Program Coordinator for Mosaic in Connecticut, said that saving money is a challenge because of caps that restrict people from saving. Currently, Arseneau said, that cap in Connecticut is $1,600, while it varies according to state programs.

“When you or I have a little bit of extra money, we put it in a savings account,” she said. “They can’t do that. Any extra money that she has, we have to spend it. Everybody who we serve would benefit from an ABLE account.”

Saving for larger purchases like a computer or new adaptive equipment that isn’t covered under Medicaid can be next to impossible when that same limited fund needs to be room, board and general living expenses.

“Unless her parents buy her a new computer, she won’t have one,” Arseneau said.

ABLE accounts will allow people with disabilities to save up to $14,000 annually (2015 limit), to a maximum of $100,000 without impacting Supplemental Security Income benefits. The account can fund expenses including medical and dental care, education, community-based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing and transportation. There is a Medicaid pay-back provision when the account holder dies.

Prause recently went to Washington, D.C. as part of a Mosaic group. There she was able to meet Sen. Robert Casey (Penn.), who was a primary sponsor of the ABLE Act. “I really enjoyed it,” she said. “I talked to the senator … about how we need more money.”

“She always speaks up for what she wants and what she needs,” Arseneau said. “She is not afraid to ask.” * At the time of printing, all states where Mosaic serves have enacted ABLE legislation except Arizona and Indiana, where legislation will likely be introduced in 2016.

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by Randall Donner, Communications Director

Erin Prause and Elise Arseneau (above) on their trip to Washington D.C. Erin was excited to meet Sen. Robert Casey (below).

Their son was the “centerpiece of the family,” known and loved in his community, and lived a happy life. In his honor, his parents have planned a gift for Mosaic through their estate.

“Spencer deserved his inheritance too,” David Stonebraker said of his son. “He never got married and he never spent a lot of the money that kids do when they go to college, yet he deserved a portion of what we have left. We decided many years ago that we were going to leave a portion of our estate to Mosaic. He deserves that much.”

David and his wife, Nancy, had three children. Spencer was their middle child. When they found he had Down syndrome, the couple determined that they would raise him no differently than they did their older daughter Debra, and son Ken, who came later.

“We took him everywhere from the time he was born,” Nancy said.

Yet, as he grew, they faced a challenge. The couple always assumed that Spencer would one day move out on his own, the same as their other children.

But the choices were slim – possibly a nursing home (which they knew would not be good for him), or an institution somewhere.

Then they heard of a Nebraska organization that was looking to expand into their state. Nancy called to inquire and, within weeks, the wheels were turning for Mosaic (then named Bethphage) to start day services and build housing for people with disabilities in their town. From the beginning, Nancy and David were on board and supportive. They are credited as the reason Mosaic exists in their community. “I feel God called us to do this,” Nancy said.

Spencer died 15 years ago of a blood disease. That was hard on Nancy and David. But today, they serve as volunteers at Mosaic and give in his honor.

“It’s a good cause,” David said. “This is not something we feel like we have to do. It is something we want to do. “ To learn how a planned gift can benefit Mosaic and you, please give us a call at 1-866-3MOSAIC, ext. 31106.

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GIVING A VOICE

Encouraging Collaboration Over Competition

by Carrie Gubsch, Communications Specialist

In a world where competition and scarcity can make collaboration between nonprofits difficult, Lutheran Services in America and Mosaic buck the trend.

The difference? Our shared mission of faith.

“It takes some of those barriers away,” said Cindy Schroeder, Mosaic’s Senior Vice President and former CFO. “We’re not viewing each other as much as competitors. We want to help each other succeed.”

Formed in 1997, LSA serves its members through leadership development, innovative problem solving, collaboration and sharing of best practices, expanding faith-based connections, partnership and funding opportunities and proactive advocacy.

Beyond this, it gives organizations like Mosaic the opportunity to connect with other faith-based groups to both give and receive advice, support, and encouragement from people in similar situations across the nation.

Employees at Mosaic are members of affinity groups for human resources, financial management and even information technology.

“I know I can pick up the phone, call up a CFO from another organization and ask for help,” said Schroeder.

“There’s a broader impact that we are able to have when we work together.”

This year, Mosaic was a part of a large group of disability service providers who went through LSA’s selfadvocacy training in Washington D.C. While there, people Mosaic supports in Arizona, Connecticut and

Iowa gathered with other self-advocates to learn, grow and share their message with elected officials.

About Lutheran Services in America Lutheran Services in America (LSA) is one of the largest health care and human services networks in the country, representing 300 Lutheran nonprofit organizations throughout the United States and the Caribbean.

LSA works to connect and empower our member organizations, which serve six million people annually, touching the lives of one in every 50 people in the U.S. every year.

Network Highlights: • #20 on the Philanthropy 400 • Aggregate annual revenues of close to $21 billion • Serve 6 million people – 1 in 50 – in the U.S. each year • Employ close to 250,000 • Engage approximately 150,000 volunteers About the Lutheran Services in America Disability Network Lutheran Services in America Disability Network (LSA-DN) is a nationwide association of Lutheran social ministry organizations, faith-based organizations and Lutheran professionals supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and related conditions. LSA-DN includes 25 members that provide support to more than 150,000 individuals in 32 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including Mosaic.

Thank you Cindy Schroeder and Rich Carman Mosaic congratulates Cindy Schroeder and Rich Carman, who are retiring Dec. 31, 2015.

Both began with Mosaic’s legacy organization, Bethphage. Schroeder, a Certified Public Accountant, has now served for 28 years, spending much of her career as Chief Financial Officer. Carman has served 26 years, spending much of his career devoted to advocacy efforts and working with international partners.

“Cindy is inspired by faith and guided by the principles of servant leadership,” said Linda Timmons, Mosaic President and CEO. “She ​has played a key role in the transformation of Mosaic into the provider of choice for thousands of people.

“Through his tireless advocacy and selfless acts of kindness, Rich has impacted the lives of thousands of people, many of whom he will never meet personally.

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“Both Rich and Cindy will be missed at Mosaic.”

Three out of every 100 people in the United States have an intellectual or developmental disability . *

Are they a part of your church?

This summer, Rejoicing Spirits had the opportunity to share the stories and history of disability ministry in the United States at the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, Mich.

While we were there, we hosted an interactive booth where participants walked through the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, talked about faith and disability, and asked them to take a selfie and share it on Twitter using the #MosaicPossible.

It was a Holy-Spirit filled week, sharing stories with the thousands of teens and adults who were brave enough to experience some of the really tough barriers faced by the people Mosaic serves.

Each day students and adults told us stories about how siblings, cousins, friends or even they themselves had a disability.

People with intellectual disabilities can transform your church and your faith, if you welcome them. Let us help you learn how.

Learn more at rejoicingspirits.org.

* NICHCY Fact Sheet 8 – Head Start – Š 2008

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MEANINGFUL LIFE

Bits & Pieces Around Mosaic In August, Michael Dobson of Mosaic in Southeast Kansas received his dream trip of seeing the ocean. With his guardian Sandy Henry (a former Mosaic employee), Michael took a seven-day trip to Panama City, Florida, where they watched shows, visited tourist sights, and played in the ocean. It was Michael’s first commercial jet ride and he discovered a love for oysters. He said his favorite part of the trip was when he and Sandy got knocked down by the water.

The more than 3,650 people assisted by Mosaic in the United States are involved in many activities.

Each issue of Promise highlights a sample of those activities through Bits & Pieces.

compiled from staff reports

Monnie Hall of Mosaic in Des Moines shows off a wreath made through his business, which makes custom handmade wreaths.

His story was recently featured on a local news station and was picked up by the website, TheMighty.com. While he has appeared in several Mosaic videos over the years, including Mosaic’s children’s video, “Duncan’s New Neighbors,” and our centennial video, “Perfect Day,” this story went viral receiving hundreds of views and shares. To view the video, visit TheMighty.com and search for “Monnie Hall.” To see his work, visit monnieswreaths.weebly.com.

James Homann of Mosaic in Omaha (Nebraska) is proud to show his CPR certification. A few months back, he passed by a training room where employees were learning CPR. He stated a desire to learn the life-saving technique and got enrolled in a class. He passed with flying colors! Congratulations on a job well done, James!

People from Mosaic in Denver (Colorado) were invited for the second year to assist at Cross of Christ Church on “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday. Shown are Connie Morey, Larry Crisco and Bonnie Wooldridge making care packages to be given to people in areas affected by natural disasters.

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Mosaic in Kansas is active with the state providers association Interhab. The association gives annual awards honoring individuals and communities for their achievements and inclusion of people with disabilities. This year, several winners associated with Mosaic were honored.

Abbey Stanley from Mosaic in Winfield and Nathan Sitting down from Mosaic in Liberal both received honors for their artwork this year – Abbey for a sunflower painting and Nathan for an abstract painting.

The two artists create through various mediums. In addition to painting, Abbey has received local awards for her photography. Nathan draws, paints and writes poetry. Mosaic is grateful for the volunteers who work with both Abbey and Nathan, nurturing their talents.

Tori Virden of Mosaic in Winfield received the Achievement in the Workplace Award. Just three years ago, Tori struggled with anxiety and other challenges that made life difficult for her. With Mosaic’s help, she was able to turn her life around. One of the things she wanted to do was work at a job so she started with Mosaic’s Jumpy Monkey coffee.

“Mosaic provided me with a job coach,” Tori said. “She helped me learn all about the production part of the Jumpy Monkey business in the grind room. I also was taught how to make coffee, how to serve coffee, and meet the public.” Tori now has a second job at a local drugstore coffee shop.

“I love to help people wake up in the morning. I love to meet new friends,” Tori said.

Mosaic in Coffeyville nominated that community’s Buddy Program, known as Buddy Ball, which won the Kansas Inclusive Communities Award. A number of people served by Mosaic participate in Buddy Ball, enabling them to bowl and play baseball, volleyball, and basketball. In the photo, Becky Crites from Mosaic receives some help to quickly get to first base. In addition to sports opportunities, participants look forward to hanging out with teammates at the summer, fall and winter dances and receiving recognition at their annual awards ceremony.

Congratulations to Mosaic’s award-winning Kansas team.

Back in September, Mosaic across the country recognized the people who make our mission come to life during Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, Sept. 13–19.

Mosaic locations offered fun celebrations complete with great food as well as prizes and other rewards to recognize Direct Support Professionals. Here are a couple. At Mosaic in Garden City (Kansas), Executive Director David Jasper (left), Finance Manager Brandi Campbell (behind car) and Administrative Tech Connie Martinez wash an employee’s car. Mosaic in Western Iowa played up the “All Stars” theme with employees (from left) Michelle Riley, Melissa Green, Sammi Pauley, and Stephanie Rangel showing their spirit.

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4980 S. 118th St. Omaha, NE 68137-2200 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Representing Individuals with Disabilities at the United Nations

by Kelly Lytle, International Relations Director

Whether they realize it, young adults in Mosaic’s services, our efforts do not stop there. To make lasting, program in Tanzania have been discussed at the United sustainable change that provides hope for a meaningful Nations. The story of stigma, discrimination and lack of life, we also provide a voice. For those with disabilities opportunity they face as individuals with intellectual and their families in countries where community-based disabilities in Tanzania was discussed at a U.N. meeting services are weak or non-existent, this is vital; our focused on disabilities in June 2015. international team works to ensure that change and How did the story of these teenagers in Moshi end up development includes individuals with disabilities. in the highest levels of international development?

The work is not in vain. In September, people with In 2013, Mosaic received Special Consultative Status disabilities scored a major victory as a new set of U.N. from the United Nations. After a Sustainable Development goals two-year vetting process, the U.N. was announced. These goals, approved Mosaic as an organization updated every 15 years, focus on that has proven knowledge of the broad areas that directly affect needs of people with disabilities quality of life, areas where people and is actively participating in with disabilities have often been developing programs and services forgotten. However, in the new to help meet those needs in less goals, which begin Jan. 1, 2016, developed countries. The status people with disabilities have been allows Mosaic’s international staff Young adults from the Mosaic-supported Building a included for the first time. to participate in U.N. meetings Caring Community program in Tanzania march through Disability- and inclusion-specific about the direction of policy and Moshi with pride on the International Day of Persons language, and targets to increase with Disabilities. Crowds cheered them as they walked funding in U.N.-member countries. through town, a sign of greater acceptance of individuals the number of people with Non-governmental organizations like with disabilities. disabilities in education, employMosaic bring field knowledge and represent the people ment and other areas, are part of the goals. As we move they serve. The audience of these meetings includes forward and continue to advocate at all levels, we hope to leaders from countries all over the world. see even more progress.

Advocacy is at the heart of Mosaic’s international Mosaic is grateful for the financial support of our many program. While we have a strong focus on helping our donors who stand with us and make this work possible. in-country partner organizations develop and provide