Mosaic in Rockford Newsletter - 2016 Spring

spring 2016 a publication of Mosaic in Rockford | www.mosaicinrockford

Meaningful Life MEANINGFUL WORK AND DAY ACTIVITIES Nothing brightens up Danny’s day quite like playing with cats and dogs.

That’s why, when an opportunity presented itself for Mosaic to partner with Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, they couldn’t pass it up. For roughly

the past three years, Danny has volunteered two or three times per week to socialize the animals. “Noah’s Ark makes me excited because I get to play with the animals every day,” Danny said. In addition to playing

People with intellectual disabilities dare to dream outside the box of standard social services options with the guidance of smart, creative professionals, family, and community

with the animals, Danny has also helped mop floors around the dog cages, clean the animals’ bowls and help feed them.

Because of this opportunity to volunteer, Danny has learned to control his behavior and express emotions in a positive way. He said it is nice to get out of the house and have somewhere to go. Danny’s excitement for his volunteer work is spreading! Soon, his friend Paul will join Danny at Noah’s Ark. When Danny isn’t busy volunteering at Noah’s Ark, you might find him working at Bridgeway, playing games on his tablet, helping with the cooking at his house or watching one of his favorite shows, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “Family Feud.”

Caring Community PEOPLE GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH LOCAL FOOD PANTRY We at Mosaic are so thankful to the many various community organizations that welcome Mosaic volunteers.

One such organization is GPS Faith Community, which hosts a Mobile Food Pantry through the Northern Illinois Food Bank in the parking lot of Grace Lutheran Church of Loves Park.

The Mobile Pantry is a “traveling food pantry” that delivers meat, produce, non-perishable food and other products to communities where the need for food surpasses the capacity of existing food pantry resources,

according to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. To learn more about the Mobile Food Pantry, please visit solvehungertoday.org.

According to the GPS Faith Community website, multiple Mobile Food Pantries are hosted throughout the year as the program continues to grow within the community. Pantry services are for residents of Loves Park, Machesney Park, Roscoe, Rockton and South Beloit. Services are provided regardless of religious affiliation or participation.

Serving hundreds of families in the community is hard work and Mosaic is happy to pitch in. Four men from our Minns Independent Living building volunteer by building boxes, helping to serve food and getting items off the truck when it arrives.

Volunteering in the community helps the people served by Mosaic get out in the community, meet their neighbors and help make a difference.

So many of the people in service enjoy giving back to our caring community.

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From the Executive Director OUTDOOR HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM by Carla Saelens Mosaic in Rockford is developing an Outdoor Healthy Living Program, which will expand and Hear what the Executive enhance its Director of Mosaic says about recent news with the current Rockford Community. fitness opportunities for all individuals living in each of our residential group home settings. This quality-of-life program is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle through fitness activities, sensory and occupational therapy, as well as social opportunities in a natural and nonrestrictive environment. The Outdoor Healthy Living Program will focus on two main areas: Physical fitness/health and Sensory and occupational therapy Through the Outdoor Healthy Living Program, Mosaic will be able to offer people in service more choices for outdoor activities within the safety and comfort of their home environment.

The practice of providing people with choices has been highly successful and supports Mosaic’s fundamental concept of empowering people with disabilities to make their own choices and have individualized experiences as they continue to build their self-confidence, self-esteem, and discover new hobbies and interests. Choices of activities will include, but are not

limited to bicycling, basketball, swinging, stretching using modified Yoga, volleyball, soccer, badminton, throwing Frisbees, playing catch, bocce ball, and gardening. Many of those living in the group homes participate in activities through Special Olympics and will maintain and improve upon their sporting skills by having access to fitness equipment throughout the year.

Maintain healthy weight.

Improve fundamental motor skills and eye-hand coordination.

Improve fine and gross motor skills that increase independence and self-confidence.

Mosaic’s Outdoor Healthy Living Program aims to achieve the following primary goal: To ensure the physical and emotional health and well-being of all people. Mosaic proposes to achieve this goal by working toward the following objectives:

Anticipated Sensory Stimulation Outcomes: Heighten awareness and increased interests in activities.

Provide people in service with meaningful outdoor fitness-related activities at the residential group homes.

Increase utilization of all components of one’s body as they are becoming integrated physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Empower and involve people in planning and implementing healthy choices, including physical activity and developing new interests and skills.

Improve environment exploration.

Improve mental and physical relaxation.

Encourage greater independence and confidence.

Anticipated Exercise Outcomes: Reduce in the risk of developing coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes.

Increase muscle strength and mobility, thus maximizing basic independence.

Build and maintain healthy bones and joints.

DISCOVER THE POSSIBILITIES TOURS Thursday April 14 | 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. at our 2nd Ave. Group Home Thursday April 28 | 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. at our 2nd Ave. Group Home Thursday May 12 | 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. at our 2nd Ave. Group Home

Improve circulation and range of

Mosaic Heart of the Forest Executive Director Community Relations Manager

motion, pain relief, injury prevention, and promotion of healing.

carla.saelens@mosaicinfo.org brook.genna@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.

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Mosaic Allied Voices BECOME A VOICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Mark your Calendar CAPITOL HILL ADVOCACY DAY April 5 – Springfield, IL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK April 10 – 16

Mosaic envisions a world where people with disabilities thrive as valued participants in their communities.

In order to make this happen, we use a program called Mosaic Allied Voices, which utilizes volunteers to promote public awareness of disability issues, to advocate for equality, and to advance sustainable strategies that shape public policy.

Volunteers partner with Mosaic leadership to develop and implement the national legislative agenda, as well

as influence and impact state agendas.

Mosaic Allied Voices (MAV) volunteers call or email elected officials in response to alerts from the Mosaic Governmental Affairs Office.

The alerts contain brief, specific information about the issue and offer a suggested message for MAV volunteers to use if they are uncertain of what to say in their own words. The time commitment is minimal.

All you need is an email address. Visit www.mosaicalliedvoices.org to sign up!

ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE April 13 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Mosaic’s Office Parking Lot – 5/3 Bank building off Alpine PARENT MEETING Wednesday, April 20 | 1 – 2 p.m. at the Mosaic Office AGENTS OF CHANGE MEETINGS April 27 | 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. at Mosaic Office May 25 | 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. at Mosaic Office June 22 | 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. at Mosaic Office

Volunteer Corner VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT How did you learn about volunteering at Mosaic in Rockford?

Katie Nelson: I got an email about intern opportunities.

I saw that a photographer was needed.

Why are you so motivated to help people with intellectual disabilities?

I, too, have an intellectual disability.

I have high-functioning Asperger’s syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Never say Never!

What do you do when you’re not volunteering?

I puppy raise Future Leader Dogs for the Blind. I also enjoy reading,

painting, taking part in Park District Activities and Special Olympics Sports.

What do you want to say to people, about individuals with intellectual disabilities and how they can better their lives and how they can help too?

I would like people to know that people with intellectual disabilities are determined, friendly, and caring people! They always have a smile, hug, or kind word to make your day.

People can better their lives by being respectful in their words and actions.

Many people with intellectual disabilities want to contribute or work in the community. Community organizations should keep their talents in mind.

yourself. Your talents and goals are important! There are many possibilities available; you just have to choose the one that your talents can best serve.

Open Volunteer Positions Administrative Assistant, Mentor/Buddy, Creative Assistant For more information on specific positions and hours of position contact: Brook Genna at 815.387.8390 x61516 or brook. genna@mosaicinfo.org.

What does ‘A life of Possibilities’ mean to you?

To me, “A life of possibilities” means embracing your talents to work towards goals that you have set for

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1111 S. Alpine Rd., Ste. 401 Rockford IL, 61108-3940

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A life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Giving a Voice SELF-ADVOCACY GETS MOMENTUM AT LOCAL LEVEL April 5, 2016 is Advocacy Day among the National Association of Social Workers. Fifteen Agents of Change from Mosaic in Rockford will head down to Springfield to advocate for their rights on this day.

The event is held at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, in Springfield. An anticipated 1,000 social workers and social work students from across the state will attend educational seminars on lobbying in Illinois. It features speaker presentations, a legislative

overview and panel discussion, as well as smaller breakout sessions.

disabilities need better than these individuals themselves?

Attendees may also have an opportunity to meet their representatives in person, and express their concerns.

With it being an election year, now is an especially good time for our advocates to let the politicians in our state and federal government know what is important to us.

Many people with developmental and intellectual disabilities rely on publicly funded services and supports in order to fully participate in community life.

Mosaic envisions a world where people with disabilities thrive as valued participants in their communities. You have a voice and it should be heard.

You can help us shape public policy that promotes equality and dignity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Get involved today!

Advocacy Day is a perfect chance to talk to your representatives about support of federal and state funding to cover the actual costs of service and supports in a community of a person’s choosing. After all, who knows better what people with intellectual

“I may have a disability, but I am not disabled.”

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