Joe Malgioglio, Dream Catchers member; Jim Eccleston, Advisor to the Dream Catchers; Jim Butler, Dream Catchers member; Governor Dan Malloy and Kathy Benton, President of the Dream Catchers

Dream Catchers Host a Legislative Breakfast to Recognize (NIDDA) National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Mosaic's Dream Catchers Self-Advocacy Group hosted a Legislative Breakfast at the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 23, 2011. The 2011 Dream Catcher's officers and 30 member self-advocacy group, along with Mosaic's leadership team, and many of Mosaic's Direct Support Care staff were on hand to greet the invited Connecticut Legislators. Mosaic is a nonprofit community provider that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Dream Catchers self-advocacy group was formed in 2008 with the vision and promise that they would encourage individuals Mosaic serves to be self-reliant through education, support of peers, sharing resources and tools, presentations, and the development of leadership skills to advocate for people with disabilities and themselves. For today's event, members arrived early dressed in their new matching shirts, ready to greet and speak to legislators. They introduced themselves, shook hands, handed out packets which contained information about their mission and advocated for themselves! Each visitor also received a colorful dream catcher key chain with a tag which read "Providers Like Mosaic, who serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, are Connecticut's "SAFETY NET".

Kathy Benton (President of the Dream Catchers) sent a personalized letter via email to invite Governor Dan Malloy to join her and her fellow members at the breakfast. He was unable to attend , therefore a few of them decided to visit him and drop off the Dream Catcher's informational packet and a colorful dream catcher key chain. He came out of his office, shook their hands, and listened to what they had to say. Governor Malloy so graciously autographed one of the brochures under the photo Kathy had taken with him at a CCPA forum while he was just a candidate. The Governor wrote a meaningful message, "Kathy, Keep up the Good Work". Kathy, Jim, Joe, and their advisor Jim Eccleston were elated that they were able to march into the Governor's office and introduce themselves, and advocate for themselves.

"The Dream Catchers having the opportunity to speak to our State Legislators and Governor Malloy today help to solidify the Dream Catchers commitment to stand up for the rights of individuals with disabilities and made them more focused on becoming involved in the process of passing laws that help people with disabilities," said Jim Eccleston, Advisor to the Dream Catchers.

Kathy Benton and Jim Eccleston accept the award.

Mosaic Dream Catchers receive 2010 Spirit of the Industry Award

Mosaic in Connecticut's Self Advocacy Group, the Dream Catchers, recently received the 2010 Spirit of the Industry Award from the Connecticut Community Providers Association (CCPA). Kathy Benton, President of the Dream Catchers and resident of the Mosaic Pelham home, along with Jim Eccleston, Mosaic staff and Advocate Advisor to the Dream Catchers accept the plaque at the CCPA's 41st annual meeting at the Hartford Marriott/Farmington on December 10, 2010.

Mosaic's Self Advocacy Group receives the 2010 Spirit of the Industry Award from the CCPA, Stamford Plus

	At CCPA on July 15 (left to right) Jim Eccleston, Mosaic Direct Support Coordinator and Dream Catchers Adviser, Andrea Ferrucci, Mosaic Executive Director, David Newth, Dream Catcher Treasurer and Ned Lamont

Mosaic Dream Catchers Self Advocacy Group Asks Connecticut Gubernatorial Candidates Tough Questions

The Connecticut Community Providers Association (CCPA) is hosting non-partisan question and answer sessions with each of the candidates for Governor at their offices in Rocky Hill. Two of the three sessions have already taken place. The first session was held on June 17 was with the Democratic Party's endorsed candidate Dan Malloy and the second event on July 15 with Lt. Governor Michael Fedele, Republican Candidate, Tom Foley and Democratic Candidate, Ned Lamont.

The audience at the sessions was comprised of executive directors from the social service agencies in the state, members of the CCPA and the officers of Mosaic's Dream Catchers Self Advocacy Group. These individuals were on hand with their advisers to bring their concerns and questions to each of the candidates.

"The Dream Catcher Officers, on behalf of the entire advocacy group, asked the candidates to address their concerns. It was a wonderful opportunity for the members of the Dream Catchers to advocate for themselves. They are concerned about inadequate state funding. All members of the self advocacy group representing all individuals in service want to know that their services and support of their staff are not going to be jeopardized due to the lack of funding," said Mosaic executive director, Andrea Ferrucci.

It was a dream come true for David Newth, Dream Catcher Secretary, to be able to represent the self-advocacy group and meet and ask his favorite politician and choice for Governor, Ned Lamont his questions. Newth has followed Lamont's political career since he was a candidate for Senator, and is his strongest supporter.

"It brought me such joy to see David so happy, and proud of himself to not only have the courage to meet his idol, but to ask a serious question of him. Icing on the cake he was able to have his photo taken with him as a very special memento," said Jim Eccleston, Mosaic direct support coordinator and adviser to the Dream Catchers. "After 2 years of hard work with monthly meetings, writing bylaws, holding elections for officers, and public speaking classes, this was proud moment and culmination for the officers, members, and all people in service with Mosaic for their voice to be heard."

On July 27 at 11:00 am. Dream Catchers representatives will be on hand for the final session of CCPA's candidate forum with Republican Candidate Oz Griebel.