moments fall 2016
a publication of Mosaic in Connecticut | www.mosaicinconnecticut.org
Caring Community A PERFECT DAY AT CAMP If you reach back into Connecticut’s more recent history, one of our state’s best examples of donor generosity is sprawled across 102 acres in Waterford. It is one of few state parks in the entire country designed especially for use by people with disabilities. The grounds, with beautiful beachfront and tidal marsh, open and wooded spaces, and miles of wheel-chair accessible trails, was once part of the Harkness Estate, where Mary Harkness entertained children stricken with polio. When she died in 1952, Mary deeded the Camp
Harkness portion to the State for the enjoyment of people with disabilities and their families and friends.
“Nearly all of our residents attended, along with staff.” Mosaic recently held its 10th Annual Camp Harkness Cookout on a perfect summer day, under a row of shady pavilions overlooking the boardwalk and beach. Nearly all of our residents attended, from 26 communities across
the state, along with staff members, volunteers and families. From the easy reservation process to the help offered at every turn – whether an attendant cheerfully securing extra tables or another offering the use of a hand cart – the day seemed charmed. Two-hundred hamburgers and even more hotdogs were grilled, many smiling photos were taken, and DJ “Uncle Al” kept the music and fun going. He invited a musically-inclined Mosaic individual to try out the harmonica, and then another joined in. Brought back by popular demand, Uncle Al enjoyed the day as much as anyone, even coming out in front of his equipment to join the group that was dancing. Others just wanted to get out of their chairs and lay in the grass, soaking up the sun, or visit with friends from different houses. And then there was the moment when one person in service was rewarded for his efforts, when his kite finally lifted into the air. Mosaic employee Sandy Gregory said that he has gotten the kite up beachside almost every year. “And,” she adds, “Never once, in ten years, have we been rained out on Camp Harkness Day.” Charmed indeed! To learn more about how your workplace or civic group can support the Camp Harkness cookout, please contact karen. hoke@mosaicinfo.org. 860.632.2814 x123.
Erin and her parents at Camp Harkness Connecticut 1 Mosaic Moments
Letter from the ED
Announcements
By Andrea Ferrucci
Dear Friends, Welcome to Mosaic Moments. With this inaugural issue, I thank you for the opportunity to share Mosaic and highlight our important work. In every issue, you will read about the people we support and discover what makes Mosaic such a special organization. I have had the privilege of being part of the Mosaic family for 24 years. Each day, I am thankful for our incredible staff and the community, and inspired by our commitment to partner with people who have intellectual disabilities and help them live the lives they choose. I am pleased to share with you that for the third consecutive year Mosaic in Connecticut was named a “Top Workplace” by the Hartford Courant. Concurrently, this year our staff members doubled their commitment to the employee campaign. In the absence of adequate funding, our generous staff help ensure that the people we support have what they need, such as medical supplies and adaptive equipment, and also help fulfill their dreams of vacations and community experiences. I hope you are as touched as I am by our staff’s commitment to supporting meaningful lives.
I am also deeply grateful for the generosity of our community and our donors. It is through this generosity that many of our success stories are possible. I hope you enjoy seeing some of our activities and accomplishments in this quarterly newsletter. Many others occur in everyday moments – a completed project, a proud smile, a milestone reached, a goal achieved. These are the moments that we want to share with you. Every success, no matter how small it may seem, is cause for celebration here at Mosaic. Andrea Ferrucci Executive Director PS: If you would like to receive this newsletter via email, contact karen.hoke@mosaicinfo.org.
Mosaic Connecticut is launching a new Community Relations Council! We are looking for folks who are interested in advocating for people with intellectual disabilities at the state and national levels, increasing participation and sponsorships for our special events, and helping to expand our outreach with the Mosaic story. Are you interested in joining our new family and guardians circle? Meet with other families and Mosaic staff members throughout the year to share experiences and inside information. Please contact karen.hoke@mosaicinfo. org; 860.632.2814 x123. Mailing List If you have received this newsletter in error and would like to be removed from the newsletter mailing list, please contact us below.
Mosaic in Connecticut recieves the Top Work Places Award for 2016.
Mosaic Moments is published by Mosaic in Connecticut | 100 Sebethe Dr., Ste. A2 Cromwell, CT 06416-1037 | 860.632.2814 | www.mosaicinconnecticut.org Executive Director Resource Development Manager
Get Involved!
andrea.ferrucci@mosaicinfo.org karen.hoke@mosaicinfo.org
Mission Embracing God’s call to serve in the world, Mosaic advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and provides opportunities for them to enjoy a full life. Integrity at Mosaic If you have a concern, call our national Confidential Reporting Hotline at 800.443.4899, or email integrity@mosaicinfo.org
Relationships Mosaic is an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Lutheran Services in America. Non-discrimination Mosaic will not discriminate in matters of employment or service delivery on the basis of race, creed, age, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status or veteran status. To be added or removed from the mailing list or to receive information via email, please contact Mosaic at the address given. ©2016 Mosaic. All rights reserved. Mosaic is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Connecticut 2 Mosaic Moments
In the Spotlight Mosaic thanks the awesome corporations, universities and churches that scheduled volunteers to clean, organize, garden, paint, and more for a Day of Caring! Ten Mosaic houses around the state recently benefitted from their generosity. Thank you United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut for making this community-wide event so beneficial to Mosaic! University of Connecticut student volunteers: A team of seven students from the University of Connecticut worked on a garden fence in Coventry. The garden is a favorite hobby of the residents, not to mention a source of fresh vegetables throughout the season, but critters were getting inside and devouring the harvest. The energized student volunteers broke down pallets and reinforced the homemade-withlove enclosure.
Thanks to these teams!
American Eagle Financial Credit Union volunteers arrived with all tools and supplies in hand for a generous and productive day of outside yard work and inside painting in Bloomfield.
UCONN students breaking down pallets
A great team from Stanley Black & Decker made one of our Bloomfield homes sparkle! Gary (orange shirt) and and other residents love the results!
Josh Silverman, from the Communications Department at United Technologies Corporation, trims hedges at Mosaic’s West Hartford home.
End of a well-spent day! Ben enjoyed thanking the Stanley Black & Decker team by passing snack bags all around.
The UCONN team hard at work
Cheerful volunteers from Stanley Black & Decker replaced brackets, repaired spindles, and painted the long ramp and front porch – a much-needed project at Mosaic’s Farmington home.
Volunteers from United Health Group gave Mosaic’s Wethersfield house a fresh new look inside and outside!
CIGNA volunteers painted several rooms in another Bloomfield home. The residents showed their appreciation with a thank you poster.
Connecticut 3 Mosaic Moments
In the Spotlight
Save the Date! Essentials of Life Fund (ELF!). Stay tuned!
The next annual Laugh Out Loud event will be held on Friday evening, March 31, 2017, at the Farmington Marriott. Join us for an evening of laughter – and help Mosaic grow its
Stanley Black & Decker team gives a living room in West Hartford a cheerful new look!
The Essentials of Life Fund reflects Mosaic’s commitment to quality. Our personalized services start with the individuals in our care. We work together to identify their unmet needs and their hopes and dreams, and make them happen.
Lutheran Churches in the Hartford area coordinated a day of caring, and a Mosaic home in West Hartford reaped the benefits! Pictured here with volunteers are Mosaic’s Tamanique Scruse, far right, and Andrea Reilly 3rd from right (black jacket).
Meaningful Life Dave lived at home for many years, but after his mother died he encountered a series of unhappy placements. Finally, he found himself enjoying life again at Mosaic’s Bristol home. He especially looked forward to attending Camp Harkness for a week each summer, but health concerns made it difficult for him to travel and still be safe. So, Mosaic staff members put their heads together. Why not create a “stay-cation”? Soon, the plans were in place. Shifts were covered and staff members began planning Dave’s big week. Each day, someone made Dave’s stay-cation a day to remember, just like at camp. Dave went on a riverboat adventure one day, and to Mystic Aquarium the next. He went bowling, to the movies, and even for a ride to Camp Harkness, to spend
some time with his old camp housemate and favorite counselors. The week flew by, as vacations always do. At Mosaic, each person’s greatest desires and joys are considered. If there’s a way to bring a smile to someone’s face and a skip to their step, our staff members are on it!
Congratulations Mosaic in Connecticut has been recognized for the third consecutive year as one of the Top Workplaces in Connecticut. Mosaic, with 260 employees, was one of 15 employers recognized in the midsize business division.
facebook.com/connecticut
This is a big honor and speaks to the quality of the workplace and, ultimately, the services provided. More than 16,000 employees across Connecticut responded to a survey that asked questions geared towards values, ethics, confidence in the leadership, working conditions and effectiveness of the organization.
twitter.com/mosaicpossible
We’re honored to receive this award.
Connect with Mosaic in Connecticut! mosaicinconnecticut.org mosaicpossible.org donate.mosaicinfo.org/connecticut
Connecticut 4 Mosaic Moments