Creating a Sense of Belonging in Colorado
Creating a Sense of Belonging in Colorado
By Molly Kennis
Vice President of Operations, Colorado
[email protected]
One of our core values at Mosaic is “Belonging.”
We define “Belonging” as “a sense of fitting in and feeling valued.” We put this value into action by intentionally including people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized; embracing differences and contributing to a shared community of equality; and fostering a climate of honesty and openness—meaning we listen and hear each and every voice.
I’ve been moved time and time again that “Belonging” not only is exemplified by the people we serve—but also by our Mosaic employees and independent contractors. They, too, deeply feel they’ve found the place where they belong and are needed the most, and why God called them to love and serve.
Alfred’s Story
Alfred Hesse, 73, had been served by Mosaic’s day program for more than six years while he lived with a non-Mosaic host home provider. More than five years ago, he suffered a stroke, and the host home provider soon thereafter informed his sister, Susan Williams, that they could no longer care for him.
“They said he was just too difficult to care for anymore. So, I reached out to Mosaic, who wanted to help me and Alfred find a Mosaic at Home provider. They were in constant contact, giving me updates on the search. Alfred has many needs, so it wasn’t easy. But their determination and creativity paid off with Ryan Low, who at the time was working as a Mosaic direct service professional (DSP) in the day program. Through their own family experience, he and his wife Regina had already taken care of someone with diverse needs at their home,” she added. “And, Ryan already knew and loved Alfred.”
After consideration with his wife and children—their daughter Jamie lives at home—and ensuring that their home was accessible for Alfred, Ryan resigned from his DSP position to become a Mosaic at Home provider.
Alfred’s been with the Low family now for six months, and Susan said he “is happier than a clam in mud! I’ve seen a big difference in his quality of care.”
“When Alfred first came to us, we were told we had to blend his food. But he liked and ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich during his day program! So, to see first-hand with the aim of giving him a more meaningful life, we started to give him very small, sliced-up bites with soft, easily digestible foods such as mashed potatoes. Slowly and eventually, we worked up to his favorites such as steak (medium rare), pizza, baked potatoes and meatloaf,” said Regina. “So now he’s able to eat again, and he loves it. He eats what we eat and joins us as a family.”
Alfred with his forever family, the Lows (and Izzy the dog)
Susan noted other changes that have made a big difference for her brother. “I had concerns that previous providers weren’t giving Alfred the respect he deserved and not giving him the care he needed. Ryan and Gina take the time to make sure he’s properly attended to.”
Adding more joy to the household, the Lows have four dogs. The smallest dog, Izzy, likes to sit on Alfred’s lap, and he calls her his baby.
“He has grown in our hearts and is part of our family,” said Regina. “Everywhere we can go safely to avoid COVID, he goes with us. He’s never left alone as he was before. We just love him as if he were one of our uncles.”
-Community Relations Manager Emily Plotkin contributed this story
COVID-19 is strong, but the people we support are stronger.
That line sums up Mosaic’s theme for National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness (NIDDA) Month, which is celebrated annually during March.
This year’s theme acknowledges that COVID-19 made 2020 a difficult year. But in spite of the challenges the virus brought, people supported by Mosaic were eager to find other, virtual ways to continue participating in the community while staying safe in their homes.
During March, Mosaic is sharing materials that state: COVID-19 can’t stop the people we support from being a part of the community, even while being physically apart for their safety. Here are just a few of the ways people have kept involved:
- They’ve participated in virtual activities, like worship and online train trips.
- They’ve visited with family and friends using online apps.
- They’ve created art and participated in virtual art and craft fairs.
Connection is one of Mosaic’s four values because we know people are healthier overall when they continue to have personal connections with others. The Mosaic workforce was creative in helping people maintain those connections, in spite of COVID restrictions.
Watch Mosaic’s Facebook and Instagram for posts you can share to help others know the valued role people with intellectual and developmental disabilities play in our communities.
About the Author
Further Reading
Mosaic is Growing
On February 1, Living Innovations, a provider service nearly 1,300 people in New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and Connecticut, became a service of Mosaic.
“This is a great move for Mosaic,” said Linda Timmons, Mosaic President and CEO. “Living Innovations is a good provider with a solid reputation for quality. Additionally, strategic growth strengthens all of Mosaic’s services across the network by increasing our financial sustainability and adding new and creative best practices for serving people.”
All of the organization’s services are community-based and primarily consist of host home services provided by contractors—which align with Mosaic at Home—and community integration day services. The organization provides no congregate living options or workshop programs.
The Living Innovations name will remain while the two organizations work to integrate all service and operational ties. The tagline, “a service of Mosaic,” will be added to the Living Innovations logo.
Living Innovations began in New Hampshire in 1996, and was founded by Neal Ouellett. He called the move to Mosaic “the right move at the right time.”
With the addition of Living Innovations, Mosaic will now serve around 5,600 people in 13 states. Additional, smaller acquisitions are anticipated during 2021.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
We’re grateful at Mosaic that many members of our workforce and the people we support have been able to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Because the vaccination guidelines for distribution are local to each county or area health department, the process has been different for each Mosaic location.
Mosaic has provided resources on a national level to help encourage vaccinations. Our nursing team and national health director have been responding to individual employee and contractor questions about vaccination safety concerns. We’ve also designated a local employee to make sure all information people need to get vaccinated is shared in a timely manner.
From the beginning of the pandemic, Mosaic has operated as a team, recognizing we’re all in this together, and working together brings the highest chance of success.
