Realized Potential

When Eugene came to Mosaic, he was angry, struggling with alcohol problems and lonely. So many of the things that many people take for granted, such as friendships, love and respect, were not a part of Eugene's life and it seemed to him that this would never change.

But through Mosaic's help, within a couple years, Eugene's life turned around. He is now sober, talks to others when upset and volunteers at Catholic Outreach. Mosaic's Supported Living Services staff members, who help with items such as medication administration, scheduling medical appointments and promoting exercise, have taught Eugene how to take medications independently and live a healthy lifestyle. People who knew Eugene before and see him now say he is a changed person. We provided him the encouragement and faith to be the best person he can be.

Eugene is now thriving. In addition to his volunteer work, he lives in a new apartment, has a peer companion that keeps him active in the community and is happy. Eugene thanks his Mosaic staff and friends at Catholic Outreach for helping him learn to talk about his feelings instead of getting mad, connect with sister from the orphanage he grew up in and find a safe apartment. The last time I saw Eugene, he was happy and on his way to the local gym to work out.

Eugene is just one example of the lives that are being changed every day here at Mosaic.

Dee Dee's Story

Before Dee Dee came to Mosaic, her life was fantastic, but due to her Mom's declining health, her life became unsafe and stagnant. Having a parents' love, nurturing environment and support just weren't possible for Dee Dee. It seemed to Dee Dee that due to her Mom's health, her life became unsafe and unpredictable.

Mosaic and Dee Dee's sisters recognized the need for a higher level of care and supports for Dee Dee and her family. Within a year, Dee Dee received tremendous support from her 2 sisters and Mosaic to help her turn her life around. Rather than being afraid, very sick and aggressive, she is happy and healthy. Our Host Home which provides opportunity to live with a trained family and Day Program which provides opportunity to volunteer in the community and participate in educational programs taught Dee Dee to trust her Host Home Providers and staff, communicate when she is sick and how to be safe. Mosaic staff and Dee Dee's sisters, say she is a full life again. Mosaic provided Dee Dee with stability to get back out there and be a good person.

Now, Dee Dee is 61 years old and is thriving. She is active each day. She goes on vacation with her Host Home Providers, visits with her sisters and volunteers in the community. When Dee Dee thinks about when she was really sick, she says, "Thanks for giving me a safe and full life." When I saw Dee Dee recently, she was talking to friends in Day Program and we talked about her sisters recent visit.

Mary Anne's Story

Through working with Mary Anne to determine her goals and dreams, we learned that one of Mary Anne's goals was to obtain a job in the community and to manage her own money. Mosaic and Mary Anne's host home provider, Wendy, helped Mary Anne get a job working at Uniquely Yours in downtown Grand Junction. She now loves her job making jewelry, painting and stenciling pots, and cleaning.

With the help of Mosaic, she was able to open a personal savings account so that she can make purchases and track her spending and savings. Mary Anne now independently manages her own finances and is able to save money for recreational activities, such as taking vacations twice a year to visit her cousin, Donna, in Arizona.

Mary Anne is an example of living a life of possibilities.

Mosaic offers new service focused on children

Mosaic newest support, Children's Extensive Services (CES), focuses on supporting families and children (birth to 17 years old) by providing the following services:

Respite Care -- We provide scheduled hourly or daily relief for the primary caregivers within the family home.

Community Connector -- We offer families various opportunities to build relationships and natural supports within the community.

Parent Education -- We provide ongoing training and education sessions for parents interested in learning more.

Mosaic has qualified employees providing the services and supports, along with monthly utilization reports, ongoing education and monitoring of compliance. We have a deep level of respect for the parent's involvement in coordinating and remaining involved with all the needs and services for their child.

Mosaic's Children's Extensive Services are available through the Children Extensive Support Waiver/Medicaid funds via service coordination or through private pay. For more information, please contact us at 970.245.0519.

You Make a Difference

by Shawna Bonner

Thank you to Kathy Stephen, who demonstrates the value of respect and by going above and beyond the expectations of her job. Here is what one person wrote: "When I first started at Mosaic, EAB sat in a chair by herself all day. Through Kathy's patience and great respect for her as an independent person, she is doing more and making more connections than ever before. She is fortunate to have Kathy in her life!"

From everyone at Mosaic in Grand Junction, thank you Kathy for all you do!

Grand Junction has a new Community Relations Manager

Cheryl Wicks became the Community Relations Manager in November 2011. She will be helping Mosaic in Western Colorado create a sustainable future, build awareness of the supports we provide, and share success stories of the people we support with our community members. "I am excited to share my passion for Mosaic through building relationships with community members," stated Wicks.

Wicks has been employed with Mosaic since 2003 and has held several positions including Program Coordinator, Direct Support Coordinator, Direct Support Manager, Associate Direct Support Manager and Direct Support Associate. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Georgetown College in Kentucky. Wicks was a Cambridge Who's Who Elite Executive in 2011 and was named Cambridge Who's Who Professional of the Year, Representing the Outreach and Human Service Industry in 2010. She is also a graduate of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Delaware and CTAT certified for Supported Employment as an Employment Consultant. When she isn't supporting Mosaic's mission she is rafting, hiking, traveling, cooking, reading or doing pilates.

If you are interested in learning more about how to get involved with Mosaic or support our mission be sure to connect with Cheryl Wicks at 970.245.0519 x12.

Lorna's Retirement

November 1, 2011 was a gloomy day for Mosaic in Western Colorado. Lorna Parfrey, a Direct Support Associate, who worked for our agency for five years, retired from her position. Lorna was a huge attribute to Mosaic and will be missed. In the five years that Lorna worked at Mosaic, she assisted people with filling their medication reminder boxes, going to medical appointments, cleaning, organizing, grocery shopping, exercising, volunteering in the community, building natural supports and also accomplishing personal goals. Lorna helped Mosaic structure a nutrition/cooking class, an exercise group, employee engagement, safety committee and also got the agency involved in Operation Christmas Child.

Mosaic Day Services connects people with a caring community and gives them meaningful days

by Patricia Archuleta

Many may wonder what activities people at Mosaic Day Services do, how we connect them with a community and are providing them with a meaningful day. Mosaic Day Services volunteers with many organizations within our community. Our current volunteer locations include Homeward Bound, Roice Hurst, CLAWS, Salvation Army, Park and Trail Clean-up, Goodwill, Colorado House Rabbit Society and Habitat for Humanity. In the past Mosaic Day Services has volunteered at Catholic Outreach, Kids Aid backpack program, Light Gives Heat, Audubon Trail, and have even helped in making diapers for babies in Haiti. Whether it is rolling silverware so the homeless can have utensils to eat their hot meals with or simply making bunny treats, Mosaic Day Services knows the importance of giving back to our caring community and not only making their day meaningful, but also for those who they encounter and meet through volunteering.

Mosaic individuals participate in the life of the community by swimming and exercising at St. Mary's Life Center, bowling at Orchard Mesa Lanes, shopping at various community stores for cooking class ingredients and attending community special events. When they are not out in the community they are participating in educational classes such as WILD America, cooking class, Spanish, Sign Language, Rights, Safety and exercise. They are also provided with sensory integration activities such as foot soaks, Touching Story sensory board books, music therapy and are able to utilize a very relaxing sensory room.

My goal as manager for Day Services is to ensure that each individual we support arrives with anticipation to do great things within our community and leaves at the end of each day with the feeling that what they did was meaningful to them. With excellent teamwork from the direct care staff who work with the individuals everyday, I am quite confident that they have meaningful days and are connected to our caring community.

Congratulations on 25 years with Mosaic

Congratulations to Theresa Burns-Fair, who this year celebrates 25 years with Mosaic in Western Colorado. Theresa started with Bethphage in 1986 as an overnight worker and, in 1990, became the Executive Director. Over the past 25 years, Theresa has touched many lives. She advocates for people, treats people with respect, provides encouragement and is motivated everyday to help people reach their full potential.

"My friend Sandra, who I have worked with for over 25 years, calls me 'Sister Theresa' and my children call her 'Aunt Sandra,'" Theresa said.

"Theresa is a real good lady," Sandra said. "She is like a big sister to me." Another friend, Tater, said, "Theresa is a blessed friend."

Theresa brings her momentum, expertise, spirituality, creativity, love, commitment and dedication to the agency to provide meaningful days to people we support. Theresa is a true example of a mentor and leader through her actions and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities, yet she said that "…humbled and inspired every day!"

Thank you for your 25 years of service, Theresa! You truly are an inspiration to all!