You may remember the gentleman with disabilities that held the door for you at Ellsworth Steak House or the young woman with disabilities serving you popcorn at the bank. You may remember how happy they seemed, but what you might not know is how they obtained that job or were connected with the volunteer opportunity. Mosaic’s mission is to help people with intellectual disabilities discover possibilities in their lives.
Mosaic serves 29 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Ellsworth. Mosaic provides a life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities through supports which are tailored to the individual’s needs and desires. We support people to define their own happiness. We ask people how they like to spend their day, what they love to do in their spare time, where they want to live and goals they would like to achieve. Then we partner with them to make those things happen.
As part of National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March, Mosaic celebrates by participating in many events to raise awareness. This observance reminds us to recognize people with disabilities as valuable, contributing members of our communities. Throughout the month of March, Mosaic will be promoting awareness through a display at The Ellsworth Area Arts Council and will be hosting a booth at the 2014 Health Fair on March 22nd. We will also be traveling to Topeka on March 12, with InterHab. This advocacy event will focus on high-quality small group interactions with legislators. The goal is to have legislators in every district hear from constituents living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The public is invited to participate in any of these events. A free, one-hour event called Discover the Possibilities will be held at noon or 5:30 p.m. on March 18th. Those who attend will be given a tour of Mosaic’s mission and work through stories told by the people who know it well -- the people served, their families and staff members. This event will better inform the public about their mission and how you can help share it in the community. Contact Tracie Bolton, 785-245-4081 or email tracie.bolton@mosaicinfo.org. for more information.