4 minute read
Nonprofit Spotlight: Mosaic in Delaware
BY AMANDA SCHIMMEL
For more than 110 years, Mosaic has listened to the wants and needs of those they serve, supporting nearly 4,500 people in more than 700 communities across the country. Spanning from North Wilmington down to Georgetown, the Delaware location is committed to relentlessly pursuing opportunities to help gain independence for those they serve, so they can have full, meaningful lives. “At the end of the day, we want individuals we support to drive their own ship; if they say they want to achieve something, we find a way to make it happen,” State Director of Operations Shavonne Brathwaite asserts.
By providing individualized services ranging from as-needed home and community support to 24/7 residential help, Mosaic in Delaware is dedicated to serving the whole person. For behavioral support services, Mosaic in Delaware enlists a team of behavioral analysts to craft customized plans. These plans are then implemented in either one of Mosaic in Delaware’s 34 neighborhood group homes or at organizations with whom they have partnered. Upon joining a neighborhood home, each resident can also “shop for services” by meeting with providers before choosing one that fits. “When we meet with new families, they often ask, ‘what does a typical day look like for someone living in your homes?’ Well, it looks like whatever you want it to look like,” explains Brathwaite. Cutting edge technology also plays a significant role in the services and support that Mosaic in Delaware provides. For individuals who do not use words to communicate, iPads are utilized instead. Buttons with pictures and phrases bridge the conversation gap and further encourage these residents to advocate for themselves.
Passion and teamwork lay at the heart of the organization, as Brathwaite explains, “Our approach is entirely grounded in teamwork, with a strong emphasis on a team perspective. Our leadership team boasts significant tenure, and many of our employees have advanced through internal promotions.”
To further promote a positive work culture, every week begins with a Monday morning stand-up meeting, where the entire leadership team shares operations best practices. “Also, each leadership member visits a home to hear from the individuals we support and from our frontline staff in order to ensure delivery of excellent quality services,” Braithwaite adds.
Other than supporting Mosaic in Delaware through donations, there are many opportunities for the community to get involved, including their Friendly Neighbor Program. This program is especially valuable for individuals who lack family connections or whose parents have passed away, providing them with naturally occurring relationships and a sense of belonging. Businesses and community members can volunteer their time by adopting a home, organizing pizza parties, assisting with yard cleanup or simply enjoying a movie with the residents.
Mosaic in Delaware also works with community business partners to employ those it supports. “To have a regular job gives the people we serve even more purpose and pride in their lives. Because of this, they are hard workers, always on time and loyal to their employers,” said Brathwaite.
Every day, Mosaic in Delaware celebrates the achievements of the people they support, especially when a resident lands their first job or reaches one of their outlined goals. Looking ahead, the nonprofit aims to extend its offerings to include nursing support services and shared living. “We want to continue to grow and fill any gap that is needed in our community. We want to always be poised and prepared, so that when someone reaches out and asks, ‘Can Mosaic …?’ We’ll always be able to say, ‘Yes we can!’” Brathwaite finishes enthusiastically.
