Impact Report 2024: Connection
Mosaic creates and conveys trust and truly puts people first. We champion collaboration, partnership and community.
Mosaic’s Reach Extends Through Growth
For Mosaic, acquiring other organizations is not about growing for growth’s sake, but rather about expanding to serve more people. Growth also is part of the organization’s strategy for long-term sustainability. Mosaic is 99% funded by the federal and state governments, and larger organizations have a stronger advocacy voice to promote positive change.
While growth happens one person at a time in locations across Mosaic, large-scale growth through acquisitions occurred twice in 2024. On Aug. 1, Prileo Home Care became a part of Soreo, Mosaic’s subsidiary in-home supports service in Arizona, and on Nov. 1, Momentum became part of Living Innovations, Mosaic’s subsidiary in New England.
“Acquisitions give Mosaic the opportunity to serve and engage in communities where we have not previously been present,” said Heather Gunn, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. “Additionally, both of these were targeted strategic moves to increase our scale and influence and bring the opportunity to learn from the providers we acquire in ways that enrich our services across the network.”
Through the addition of Prileo services, Soreo’s impact in Arizona more than doubled, from serving around 450 people to serving around 950 people. Additionally, Prileo had a small administrative staff and about 500 caregivers, nearly all of whom continue to serve as part of Soreo.
Becoming an independent contractor Direct Care Worker with Soreo was seen as an advantage for many caregivers. Heather said. As contractors, they now have increased flexibility to set their own hours to accommodate their lives and to work more hours to add to their income if they choose. Becoming part of the Soreo culture also was a bonus.
“We have been receiving positive feedback from Area Managers and others regarding Soreo’s collaborative and present leadership style and a culture that focuses on the mission of helping people continue to live independently in their own homes,” said Traci Gruenberger, State Operations Director for Mosaic and Soreo.
This was the second acquisition through Soreo since it became part of the Mosaic network in 2018.
The acquisition of Momentum, an organization known for its shared living and outdoor recreational programs, was the first for Living Innovations since it became part of the Mosaic network in 2021. Living Innovations, already the largest provider of disability services in Maine, grew by around 270, now serving more than 1,400 people in the state.
“Momentum has strong alignment to Mosaic and Living Innovations on mission and values,” Heather said. “and the combined teams will have the opportunity to learn from each other how to continue to provide even better personalized services for people.”
To hear more about why Mosaic makes acquisitions, view this video from Linda Timmons.
Prileo growth to Mosaic Network
People Supported
Employees
Direct Care Workers
Momentum growth to Mosaic Network
People Support (Shared Living and Community-Based Programs)
Shared Living Homes
Employees
Volunteers + Thrift Store = $1.2 Million
On Thursday mornings around 9:30, you’ll often see a line of people on the sidewalk outside the Bargain Box in Beatrice, Nebraska. They line up, because Thursday is the first day of the week the thrift store is open, and it’s the best day to check out what’s new on the shelves and clothing racks.
Those treasures may include collectible McCoy pottery or a Coach handbag or any other variety of items donated by members of the community. There are household goods, clothing, shoes, electronics, books, childrens’ items and more. Items range in price from around 10 cents to around $20.
Located on one of the main downtown streets in the small community, the Bargain Box has been operating for 63 years—though not always in this location. It started as a way for a local group of volunteers to help support Mosaic in the community. In 1961, Mosaic in Beatrice was known as Martin Luther Home, and it was a residential school for children with disabilities. For that reason, the women who started the Bargain Box called themselves the Children’s Guild.
The store is still totally operated by volunteers—there are no paid staff. Guild President, Edie Ray, said some volunteers give 500 hours a year or more. They do everything from working the check-out counter to displaying the merchandise to sorting, cleaning and laundering sellable items that come in.
“We now have 53 volunteers,” she said. “We need them to maintain the store the way we do; that way no one is overburdened with work, unless they choose to. Every week they’re down there working hours and hours. That’s what they want to do.”
In each of the last two years, the Bargain Box volunteers have raised $90,000 for Mosaic in Beatrice. That annual figure has grown quite a bit over the years, and there’s no doubt the Children’s Guild has easily passed the $1 million mark in cumulative gifts. That’s a lot of nickels, dimes and dollar bills changing hands in the store.
“It is rewarding knowing that you’re helping contribute to Mosaic where the people need all the help we can give them,” Edie said.
But there’s clearly more. Through working together for a common purpose, the women have created a community. They’ve also helped others find a community. Edie noted that the regular customers sometimes come in just to socialize with one another.
Mosaic has four values we strive for: Belonging, Connection, Faithfulness and Grit. With its 63-year history of engaging the community, the Bargain Box shows how those values come to life, even in Mosaic volunteers.
Watch a video about the Bargain Box here.
