Belonging Matters: National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Month
National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (NIDDA) was initiated in March 1987 when President Ronald Reagan issued a public proclamation urging Americans to provide individuals with developmental disabilities (IDD) “the encouragement and the opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”
The annual observance has since served as an educational effort that amplifies the importance of welcoming people with IDD and other diverse needs in all aspects of community life.
“Belonging Matters,” and it is something Mosaic celebrates year-round, not only in March. The core of what Mosaic does is to empower people to fully participate in their communities and live their lives in a way that reflects their personal goals and aspirations.
“Belonging” is also one of Mosaic’s four values: “Mosaic seeks out, welcomes and listens to people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.”
Meet Chato
Chato is a person served by Mosaic who has found true belonging by being part of a family. When he was very young, he was a victim of abuse. The state removed Chato from his home, and then he lived in several group residences until he met Autumn, a former Mosaic staff member, and her husband, Keith. The couple advocated to become Chato’s guardians instead of him remaining a ward of the state, which he was at that time.
“We knew we could do a much better job of mentoring and coaching him to grow—to ensure he was a priority,” said Keith.
As Chato became more independent—and because he was familiar with Mosaic through Autumn—he expressed desire to move to a Mosaic at HomeⓇ. Through Mosaic at Home, a Mosaic home provider opens their home to the person served and helps them become an active member of the household and their community.
Chato now lives with his Mosaic at Home providers, Steve and Cammy, and his roommate Ronald, who also has IDD. According to Steve, Chato lives a full life, and he loves to travel with them whereas he never traveled before.
“He’s also part of our family now—just the same as Ron is,” said Steve. “We love him just as much, and our kids and grandkids love him, too.”
Meet Clay
Then there’s Clay, who moved in with host home provider Brie two years ago after living on one of Mosaic’s campuses for 43 years. He is one of four children—there’s also Kathi, Bob and Pete.
Living with Brie and her husband Mike, Clay now resides in a small, rural community of about 120 people. Being naturally friendly and gregarious (“I don’t think he’s ever met a person he didn’t like,” brother Pete said), Clay knows a lot of people, and they welcome him.
“The town has a wonderful bar and grill. We walk in and everyone says, ‘Hi Clay!’” Brie said, adding that people recognize him outside of town as well.
“He feels like he is part of our family, because he really is,” Brie said. “He is included in everything.”
In order to welcome people the nonprofit supports, Mosaic depends on current and potential community partners, such as businesses, churches, charities, civic organizations and others, to employ the people it serves, involve them in worship, offer volunteer and group recreation opportunities to them and more. Those partners make a real, positive impact on their lives and the community by creating a harmonious, vibrant society where everyone belongs—and their participation and contribution matters and is respected.