Mosaic in Corsicana Newsletter

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View the different articles by clicking on their headings, below. You can return to the list by clicking the "to top" button at the bottom of each story, or you can download the full newsletter here (pdf).
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Letter from the Executive Director

Deanna Abraham, Executive Director

Many of you have seen us expand our community outreach efforts in the past few months. The most common question we receive from you and our new future community leaders is asking why we are doing this. My question is why not? Mosaic in Corsicana provides services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Navarro, Ellis, Henderson, Johnson and Cherokee counties, just to name a few.


People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not limited to any one geographic area in the country or world for that matter. In fact, the most recent estimates in a report published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) cites that there are approximately 2.5 million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in the U.S. As we examine our strategic plan for sustainability in the future, it is clear that more people need to be aware of the outstanding services we provide to individuals with disabilities, how we support their families, and how we're educating others that having a disability does not define who a person is.


We come into this world with titles like daughter or son, sister or brother, granddaughter or grandson, niece or nephew, and these go on and on and nowhere in these titles does 'disabled' signify an individual. The individuals we serve may be athletes, garage sale enthusiasts, movie buffs, video gamers, registered voters, volunteers or employees -- you see there are many roles that they have the ability to fulfill in society, the same as you and I.


As you prepare to embrace this change of season, I ask that you embrace those around us who are ever evolving to achieve a meaningful life in a caring community, giving a voice to their needs as they strive towards their goals.

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Discover the Possibilities

Inspiration is just around the corner. It is, we promise! Mosaic understands the importance of telling stories about the people we serve in an attempt to educate our community about who we are and the difference we are making in their lives. We would like to offer you the opportunity to attend a free, one-hour event called Discover the Possibilities at Mosaic in Corsicana. Those who attend will be given a tour of Mosaic's mission and work, through stories told by the people who know it well -- the people we serve, their families and our staff members.


Discover the Possibilities will be held several times a month. The tour opens our doors in an attempt to share our mission, vision and passion for those being served. We look forward to having you as a guest at an upcoming Discover the Possibilities event where you can hear stories about how we help change lives everyday. All events are held at 5:30 p.m. at the Mosaic in Corsicana office. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lisa D. Morgan at 903.874.3364 x24 or contact us online.


Upcoming Dates

Tues., May 8, 2012 | Tues., May 22, 2012
Tues., June 12, 2012 | Tues., June 26, 2012


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Back row (left to right) Robert Pearcy, Mosaic staff member Nastosha Ballard, Melinda Schell, Robert Sanders, Reginald Melton, Randy Schubach. Front row (left to right) Brandy Haba, Matthew Estes, Herman Trevino, Christene Brown, and Mosaic staff member Carol Warren.

March for Respect

Mosaic in Corsicana joined March for Respect in downtown Dallas' West End to celebrate 10 years of March for Respect. This event salutes the everyday achievements of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The individuals supported by Mosaic in Corsicana were clearly excited to be part of the event, including participating in some of the games that provider agencies were hosting and winning prizes like candy and toys. We hope you will join us in March of 2013 as we March for Respect with a joint team of Mosaic in Dallas and Mosaic in Corsicana.

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Special Olympics Update

Track and field season for Special Olympics is underway. Join us as we cheer our Mosaic Special Olympians at the Corsicana Meet on Saturday, April 21, and the area meet will be in Waco on Saturday, April 28. State competition is May 24 -- 27 at the University of Texas at Arlington. We are looking forward to cheering our superstars on to victory!


For more information or to get involved with our Special Olympics team, visit us on Facebook by searching 'Corsicana Special Olympics' or contact us at 903.874.3364.


Corsicana Meet

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Tiger Stadium

3701 W. State Hwy. 22

Corsicana, TX


Area Meet

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Connally High School

Cadet Field

200 Cadet Way

Waco, TX

Yearbook Project

We have a ton of photos from over the years here at Mosaic. What greater way to chronicle accomplishments and milestones than with a yearbook?! So what do we need to make this project work? Well, beyond digital cameras for staff members to use to capture these memories, we would like for individuals to decide on photos that would encompass specific memories that they find important or meaningful to them. If you are familiar with a service organization that might be interested in donating disposable or digital cameras, or would like to donate one of these items yourself, please contact us at 903.874.3364.


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Susan Ellis in front of the thank you "card" that people supported by Mosaic made and sent to her the last time she donated items to the Day Habilitation program.

Scrappin' Goodtime

A few weeks ago, we received a call from Susie Ellis, owner of Scrappin' Goodtime. She shared with our office that she had designated Mosaic in Corsicana to be the recipient of a $500 in-kind donation through a program called Reminisce Art Initiative 2012. This program was designed so Reminisce retailers could re-invest in their local communities by supporting arts and creativity with in-kind donations to their favorite public school or nonprofit organization.


Mosaic is overjoyed to not only be considered, but in the coming weeks, to receive the generous donation from Reminisce. The Day Habilitation staff members are eagerly awaiting these resources to continue the art therapy for the individuals in service. Stay tuned as we post some of their creative work on our Facebook page and in the upcoming issues of the newsletter.


Thanks again Reminisce and Scrappin' Goodtime!

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Sarah Christian and Kenneth Fairris

Valentine's Day Party

The Valentine's Day Party was a big success with over 150 people in attendance! The photos show a few people enjoying themselves at the event.

Adopt-A-Group Home

Adopt-a-Group Home is an opportunity for a community organization/civic club, service organization, or individual to develop a relationship with a group home by committing time once a month to do something nice for the individuals living in that home.


For more information on how you can get involved or to adopt a group home, please contact Lisa D. Morgan at 903.874.3364 or contact us.


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New Affiliations

If you happen to follow any of the Chamber news lately, you might have noticed that we are spreading the word about our services into the Ennis and Waxahachie Chambers of Commerce. One of our initiatives is to develop better relationships with community members, businesses and organizations, so that we can continue to serve individuals with intellectual disabilities for decades and beyond. This is an exciting time for Mosaic, as we are becoming more involved with our local communities and neighborhoods, and are sharing all the good things we are doing here at Mosaic in Corsicana. If you would like to learn more or find out how to get involved, call us at 903.874.3364 or contact us.


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Calling All Shopaholics!

Maybe you never knew that your frequent shopping habit could be considered charitable work, but if you keep it up you just might become the Mother Theresa of shopping for a cause!


Belk is generously providing a special charity day sale from 6 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 21 at all of their Belk department stores. Wait! You can't just stroll in there and shop, although it's almost that easy! For your chance to shop this special sale, you must purchase an access pass for $5 from a participating charity or nonprofit organization that Belk stores have permitted to sale the tickets. Mosaic in Corsicana is one of those charitable organizations. The best part is the access pass you purchase to shop the sale converts to a $5 off coupon on your first purchase during the charity day sale!


Ah, you want to know how to get your shopping pass? Contact Lisa D. Morgan at 903.874.3364 x24. Don't wait, get your shopping pass today!


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Prom 2012

Dust off your finest and prepare to dance the night away (well at least two hours of it) with us at the Mosaic Prom. We will be announcing the date on our Facebook page, so join us there to keep up with our latest and greatest activities going on at Mosaic in Corsicana!


If you are interested in volunteering for Prom 2012, we need assistance in the following areas:


Decorating | Photos Refreshments | Planning Party favors | Door prizes


For more information on the Prom 2012 or to get involved, please contact Lisa D. Morgan at 903.874.3364x24.