southeast gazette spring 2016
a publication of Mosaic in Southeast Texas | www.mosaicinsoutheasttexas.org
Caring Community MEANINGFUL DAYS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY! Andrew and Sigrid enjoy spending time with their part-time care provider, Regina Sellars who keeps them busy, active, and happy! Regina ensures they
community and service. Sigrid supplements her part-time work at Best Buy with the many activities that Regina helps make available. Andrew also supplements his studies at Houston Community College with activities and excursions with Sigrid and Regina three times a week. Just to
“Regina keeps them busy, active, and happy!” Sigrid and Regina enjoy their time together.
are getting the most out of every day with a constant string of activities, excursions, and engaging in
name a few of their many activities, the group spends time: fishing, visiting museums all around the Houston Area, visiting the Houston zoo, going out to eat, taking part in library activities, enjoying free
Andrew and Sigrid await boarding the trolley in downtown Houston.
community events like riding the downtown Houston trolley, the neighborhood Halloween party, and the St. Patty’s Day Parade. Sigrid and Andrew also enjoy the volunteer aspect of their activities. Just recently, they spent time during spring break volunteering at the Children’s Museum of the Woodlands. Regina says, “I think it’s important for them to have so many activities and be out in the community — it’s good for everyone!” Mosaic strives to find contractors like Regina who have the time and creativity to get people in service out into the community more frequently.
Andrew prepares bate to go fishing — one of the many activities he does with his parttime care provider, Regina.
Mosaic 1 Southeast Texas
Meaningful Life MAKING MUSIC AND ENTERTAINING WITH FRIENDS John, a person served by Mosaic in Southeast Texas, Spring location, loves music! John was heavily influenced by his dad, Jim, a lifelong musician. Growing up, he listened to his dad practice on his own and with his band along with moving about to see him play at gigs and on the road. It is no surprise that John has a great ear for music and a wonderful singing voice. If you’re lucky to be around John long enough, you’ll get some of his music styling along with his contagious
smile! Jim has fostered John’s musical talents over the years and encouraged him to share it with others in the community. About two years ago, John got together with a couple other guys from his day program who also have passion for music. Before long, the guys were rehearsing, meeting to read through songs and discuss music they would like to play. One thing led to another and “The Skittles” band was formed.
These guys are truly musical and great entertainers. John’s older siblings pitched in to help the band formalize, with his older brother designing a banner and his older sister making t-shirts for the band. Nowadays, you can catch the band practicing on Saturdays and playing gigs at the house and at New Danville Day Program. Our hope is that someday soon, we can all experience the The Skittles together at a Mosaic gathering. Stay tuned for summer picnic details!
John shows off his guitar. Southeast Gazette is published by Mosaic in Southeast Texas | 402 Oak St. . Bryan, TX 77802-3300 | 979.823.7622 | www.mosaicinsoutheasttexas.org Executive Director Community Relations Manager
deanna.abraham@mosaicinfo.org heidi.mahoney@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.
Mosaic 2 Southeast Texas
Giving a Voice KNOW YOUR VOTING RIGHTS It’s believed that many people in the intellectual and developmental disability community are not aware of their rights to vote. By and large, most people do have the right to vote and have every right to exercise that vote. According to the Votetexas.gov, eligibility for people with “special needs” is explained as follows: • Citizens of the United States; • At least 17 years and 10 months old at time of registration (but to vote, they must be 18 years of age by Election Day); • Have not been finally convicted of a felony, or if they have been convicted,
have completed all of their punishment, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, probation, or have received a pardon; Note: Deferred adjudication is not a final felony conviction. • Have not been determined by a final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote. Individuals who have legal guardians may be eligible to register, depending on whether the court took away their right to vote. All guardianship orders issued after September 1, 2007 must state whether the individual can vote.
• People with disabilities can receive assistance registering to vote from any state agency that provides services to persons with disabilities or from any person they choose. We encourage all clients, parents and friends to take a look at this list in determining rights to vote. It’s important that we inform everyone of their right to vote and respect their choice to do so. This fall, we will be putting together more resources and answering questions about polling in each neighborhood. In addition, we’re also looking for volunteers to “get out the vote” to people served by Mosaic and help people navigate the voting process.
Discover the Possibilities and learn more about our mission and services. Join us for this one-hour tour of our mission and learn how you can make a difference too. Mosaic in Southeast Texas, Bryan 402 Oak St Tuesday, May 17 from 12– 1 p.m. Friday, June 17 from 12–1 p.m. Mosaic in Southeast Texas, Spring End of June 2016, date TBD Mosaic in Southeast Texas, Alvin Coming soon in July 2016! Stay tuned.
People in Service and Mosaic staff enjoy a day of Easter celebration and Easter egg hunting Mosaic 3 Southeast Texas
Community Events IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS Project Sunshine is a nonprofit organization that provides free educational, recreational, and social programs to children facing medical challenges and their families. Project Sunshine is continually looking for “buddies” out in the community to partner with—including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. All events are free for individuals. projectsunshine.org The Arc of Greater Houston The Arc of Greater Houston promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetime. aogh.org Weekend Respite The Arc has openings for weekend respite programs! Offered 2 weekends per month from Friday to Sunday evening, they provide safe out of home respite for ages 21 and up with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Activities include sports, musical events, out to eat, theme parks, shopping, movies and other community
wide events. For information, please contact Deshara Goss at 713.957.1600 or desharag@aogh.org Saturday Fun Day If weekend respite is too much of a commitment, think about partaking in Saturday Funday events at ARC for ages 4 through young adult taking place from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. once or twice a month. Find details at: aogh. org/SaturdayFunDay.html. Camp Champions is a six-day residential camp for individuals, ages 10–30, with intellectual disabilities. Camp Champions serves over 250 campers, staff and volunteers. The camp is located in Burton, TX at the Camp for All site. Activities include horseback riding, canoeing, fishing, paintball, archery, swimming, ropes courses, arts/crafts from July 24–29, 2016). Applications are due May 15. The cost is $899.00 for The Arc members (and $999.00 for nonmembers). Please contact Deshara Goss at desharag@aogh.org or 713.957.1600 for an application and further information.
Connect with Mosaic in Southeast Texas!
Upcoming Events PARTNERS IN POSSIBILITY FUNDRAISING LUNCHEON Please join us for the third annual Partners in Possibilities Luncheon on June 2 from 12–1 p.m. at the Hilton College Station and Event Center. Contact Heidi Mahoney at Heidi. Mahoney@mosaicinfo.org. PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL PARTNERS IN POSSIBILITIES LUNCHEON on June 2 from 12–1 p.m. at the Hilton College Station and Event Center. Contact Heidi Mahoney at Heidi. Mahoney@mosaicinfo.org. MOSAIC PICNIC We’re looking for ideas of places to host a Mosaic-wide picnic this summer. Send your thoughts and ideas to Heidi Mahoney at Heidi. Mahoney@mosaicinfo.org. MOSAIC SPIRIT NIGHT AT CHIC FIL-A Tell your family and friends to come out and support Mosaic! The more people, the better! We will be having a Mosaic spirit night at Chick-fil-A in Spring Texas on Friday, May 27 from 5–10 p.m. at 5905 Farm to Market Rd 2920, Spring, TX 77388 Make sure you mention Mosaic so we gain credit for attendance!
www.mosaicinfo.org/location/ mosaic-southeast-texas mosaicinfo.org/blog facebook.com/mosaicinsoutheasttx twitter.com/mosaicpossible mosaicinfo.org/donate
The JOYful Learning Center: treasuresofjoy.org/joyful-learningcenter.html Provides free respite nights, game nights, and Special Olympic team for people of all ages with special needs. For more information, contact Joyce at collierw@gmail.com.
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Letter from the Executive Director by Deanna Abraham
Mosaic in Southeast Texas is certainly growing! We’d like to introduce (if you have not already met her) Nancy Laird, Associate Director. Nancy started with Mosaic in Southeast Texas in February 2015, but she’s certainly not new to Mosaic. She has more than 10 years of experience working in the intellectual disabilities field, and started her career as a Case Manager and Program Coordinator for Mosaic in Corsicana. We are blessed to have Nancy as a leader in our agency. We would also like to introduce the new members of our office staff here at the Southeast Texas Agency. Welcome to Shannon Weldon, RN for the Coastal region, Barbara Munyak, Program Coordinator in Bryan and Tamika Jackson, Case Manager in Alvin. We also want to acknowledge a special anniversary. Congratulations
to Samantha Doyle on five years with Mosaic! To all staff, thank you for your continued dedication to Mosaic’s Mission, Vision and Values and the countless hours you dedicate to the people we serve! Our service area has grown exponentially during the past year and a half. In October 2014 we began serving more than 80 new people in the Greater Houston Area and opened a new office at 17207 Kuykendahl Road, Suite 220 in Spring. We now have locations in Bryan, Alvin and Spring and provide services for approximately 160 individuals. We are excited about the growth of the Southeast Texas agency and throughout the year we will be looking for new ways to stay connected and hold activities as one Mosaic family. One way we stay connected not only amongst ourselves but also in the community at large is by hosting Discover the Possibilities (DTP) events. DTPs are designed to introduce family, community members and interested groups to what Mosaic does in the
lives of those we serve and to let people know how they can get involved. Each one-hour event showcases stories from individuals in service, some of the rich history of Mosaic and our vision for the future. These events are currently held twice a month in Bryan, and on April 1 we held the very first Discover the Possibilities for our Spring office at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in The Woodlands. If you would like to attend, share a story at a Discover the Possibilities or invite someone to attend, please contact Community Relations Manager, Heidi Mahoney at 713.791.3794 or heidi.mahoney@ mosaicinfo.org for more details. Lastly, we want to say thank you to all the people who provide supports to the people we serve. You truly live the Mosaic mission day in and day out. Mosaic is able to continue into a second century of service because of you! As we continue into this new technology era, please stay connected through facebook.com/mosaicinsoutheasttx and Mosaic’s blog at mosaicpossible.org.
Members of Mosaic in Southeast Texas Mosaic 5 Southeast Texas
402 Oak St. Bryan, TX 77802-3300
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A life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities.
Thrivent Choice If you’re an eligible Thrivent Financial member and have Choice Dollars® available to direct, please keep Mosaic in mind. For more info or to direct Choice Dollars, call 800.847.4836 and say “Thrivent Choice.” Or go here: bit.ly/XJrPZN.
Have you included Mosaic in your estate planning? There are ways to increase your income now or in the future and save money on taxes. With a planned gift, you can also ensure that Mosaic’s mission of providing a life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities continues long into the future. Contact Jaime Corsar at 877.366.7242 or jaime.corsar@mosaicinfo.org to discuss how planned giving can help you.
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