Impact Report 2023: Belonging

From its founding, Mosaic has advocated for the people we support to be included in their community and has worked to end prejudices and preconceived notions about them. Through its IDEB initiative, which launched in 2023, Mosaic is pursuing those same goals for every member of its workforce.

The highly personalized Mosaic at Home® residential service has been offered in some locations beginning in the 1990s. In the last several years, it has grown dramatically and now serves more people than any other residential offering at Mosaic. 

“Mosaic at Home offers the people we serve more options of where and with whom they live, which is tied to better outcomes,” said Jenniffer LeDoux, Senior Vice President of Operations. “The growth of this service is an intentional, strategic decision rooted in our commitment to support each person in achieving their own goals.”

Studies show that a diverse, inclusive workforce helps organizations in multiple ways. It stirs new ideas for problem solving by hearing from diverse voices. It leads to better decision making because all voices are heard. It increases productivity, and, by building a culture of belonging, reduces staff turnover. 

The Mosaic workforce is diverse, representing different religions, ethnicities, economic backgrounds, national origins, political identities, sexual orientations and identities and more. They live in rural and urban areas, with education ranging from Ph.Ds and GEDs.

To further Mosaic’s IDEB goals, both an advisory team that reflects the diversity of the workforce and a champions team have been created. Together, the teams number nearly 100 people and are spread across the Mosaic network. Champions, working on the local level, provide feedback to the advisory team about employee needs and also actively promote change through events and activities.

“Embracing the culture of a truly inclusive environment with our workforce helps us not only with job satisfaction, but it brings new perspectives and ideas,” said Shavonne Brathwaite, Executive Director of Mosaic in Delaware and co-facilitator of the IDEB advisory team.

“My hope for Mosaic is that we continue to celebrate differences and connect as colleagues on a deeper level, so that we can truly live out the mission, vision and values of Mosaic and take our organization to the next level,” she said.

Chato Malone had never been out of his home state until he moved in with a Mosaic at Home provider. Going with them on vacation, he traveled to Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Shoshone National Forest, Yellowstone and more. “I haven’t traveled anywhere, so I wanted to try it,” he said. “I saw a lot of animals and buffalo. It was really fun.” Chato has also gotten to a healthy weight, dropping nearly 150 pounds.

Ashleigh Santistevan struggled after her sister moved out of the family home to start a life of her own, wondering why she could not. She even ran away. Her mother tried assisted living, then a group home, but staff reported Ashley would scream at others in anger, become totally uncooperative and even destroy things. Then she moved in with Mosaic at Home providers Alisha and Tim Smith. “Since she joined our home and family almost a year ago—and finding the right balance of support and independence—her behavior issues have reduced significantly, and we’ve never seen the anger or screaming her previous staff reported,” Alisha said.

True to Mosaic’s mission to “empower people”—all people associated with the mission—home providers also talk about the difference the program makes for them. 

Jackie Lang, a home provider said of the two siblings she supports: “I see them being a presence in my life forever. I can honestly say I love them. I never want to give them up.” Brie Rehrs, also a home provider, said: “We absolutely love what we do. It has brought a lot of joy to our lives as well.”