moments fall 2016
a publication of Mosaic in Waco | www.mosaicinwaco.org
Caring Community MUSTANGS ON THREE! by Kristy O’Brien, Mosaic Special Olympics Coach Let me win but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” –Special Olympic Motto On three, Mustangs; one, two, three, MUSTANGS! This is how the Mosaic Mustangs end their flag football practice. One evening, Coach O’Brien asked each athlete, “With one word, how does
The Mustangs are unique among the teams you will see on the playing field. Our team is made up of athletes of all ages. We have students not able to join their school teams as well as the oldest athlete in the Heart of Texas conference! At 63-years-old, Gary is a constant inspiration to everyone. Last year after winning his silver medal for the 50-yard dash, Gary was asked, “How does it feel to be a champion?”
Gary
Coach Kristy
Special Olympics make you feel?”
His response was priceless: “It feels real good! For all those people who doubted me, I’m not old yet. I can do it too!” (You can see Gary’s live response on Mosaic in Waco’s Facebook page under ‘Videos’.)
Bold! Happiness! Perfect! Good! Friends! Energy! Fearless! Mosaic in Waco began their Special Olympics program several years ago. It was recently revitalized by volunteer Head Coach Kristy O’Brien. With more than 20 athletes on the roster, the Mosaic Mustangs will compete in flag football, basketball and track and field this year.
This year as we begin new series of competitions, we hope you will consider becoming a part of this amazing team. The Mosaic Mustangs is managed by a 100 percent volunteer team. We would like to expand once
again into other events like bocce ball and bowling, but are unable to do so because we simply need more volunteers. Head Coach Kristy O’Brien reflected on her experience: “There is nothing in society that says we must help another individual! However, being a volunteer for Mosaic in Waco and Special Olympics, Texas, brings a sense of community to me. I’ve always wanted to make the world a better place, by giving others the opportunities that I’ve had in life. To let them know that they are capable, to show them that they can win! The genuine glee on an athlete’s face when they play is one that captures the imagination as reality! To see the smiles and dedication of each Special Olympic athlete win a medal, just makes my day. Being a volunteer, gives me the opportunity to reflect on what life is about and provides an understanding of other’s hopes and dreams in life, and helping them make it a reality. Special Olympics provide athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to stay physically and socially active with others in the community. One of the greatest gifts you can give is your time. Together we can make a difference, together we can win!” If you are interested in volunteer opportunities with Mosaic, please contact Serina Cole, Community Relations Manager – serina.cole@ mosaicinfo.org
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Dish with Debbie AN UPDATE ON AGENCY EVENTS by Debbie Fraysier; Program Services Director For years, direct support workers have been filling the roles of teacher, social worker and community connector, in addition to providing personal care so that people with intellectual disabilities can live meaningful lives in a community of their choosing. This job boasts long hours, irregular schedules and low pay. Many of our staff take solace in the satisfaction and fulfillment of their job because they provide an opportunity to make a significant difference in the life of a person with disabilities. Mosaic supports a fair wage and appropriate benefits for our staff, but funding continues to be a challenge. Mosaic is 96 percent Medicaid funded. This means almost all of our revenue comes directly through provider reimbursement rates. Medicaid funding pays for services, but does not pay to keep the lights on. This plays a major role in the challenge to provide a fair and competitive wage to the employees supporting the 125 individuals served by Mosaic in Waco. In 2014, President Obama directed the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to
update rules applying to overtime for workers and workers earning less than the 40th percentile of weekly earnings for full-time salaried staff. Mosaic applauds these efforts to bring compensation to a fair living wage. Unfortunately, the DOL does not have the authority to address the unintended funding issues created by these directives. Mosaic and other providers must partner with states to ensure Medicaid provider payment rates are sufficient to fund workforce initiatives. The Disability Community Act of 2016 (H.R. 5902) is a bipartisan bill that would benefit providers of Medicaid home and community-based services to people with disabilities, such as Mosaic. Due to the increasing costs from federal rules, we are requesting temporary funding to allow time for rates in the states to reflect costs stemming from the Overtime Final Rule and the Home and CommunityBased Settings (HCBS) Final Rule.
We need your help in communicating the great need to our Federal Legislators. You can help by simply visiting Mosaic’s Action Center -- enter your zip code, email and contact information to send a message to your representative encouraging them to cosponsor H.R. 5902, the Disability Community Act. Every day we serve as the voice for the I/DD community. Today we need your help in being our voice. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart for your support.
Human services providers have no power to negotiate our funding rates, even when our costs increase. Without preemptive action, providers will either be forced to cut wages to already underpaid direct care workers, serve fewer people in the community, or both. At a time when more people than ever rely on these services to continue to live in their communities – with thousand more on waiting
Mosaic Moments is published by Mosaic in Waco | 3319 N 15th A St. Waco, TX 76708 | 254.757.3434 | www.mosaicinwaco.org Program Services Director Community Relations Manager
lists – either option would have devastating human consequences. The Disability Community Act would help Mosaic continue providing meaningful supports in the community by providing adequate funding to pay for the DOL directives.
debbie.fraysier@mosaicinfo.org serina.cole@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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Meaningful Life MY LIFE! MY DECISIONS! by Serina Cole, Community Relations Manager “I never baked a cake until my first night in my own apartment. It was good and I ate the whole thing for dinner!”
begin a new and exciting adventure. What she hadn’t expected was to be overwhelmed with having to find her own voice. The biggest and most difficult adjustment for Sarah transitioning into an adult was the ability to make choices. She had never been asked or allowed to. She was never given permission to be a teenager or taught to be a young independent woman, until she found her way to Mosaic. “I always knew I wanted to live on my own, but never thought I actually could,” Sarah said. “I never had my own room, now I have a whole apartment!”
Sarah cooking
Growing up, Sarah never had the experiences of most young girls. She never had her nails done, went shopping, watched what she wanted on television or hung out at the mall. Sarah never had anyone she could tell her secrets, had a boyfriend or very many friends at all. Sarah had a voice, but no one listened. She had hopes but never dared to dream. At 4-years-old, Sarah was placed into the State of Texas Foster Care System where she remained until she was 18 years old and had graduated from high school. Sarah doesn’t share much about her youth but says there are good memories and bad. “I remember I moved around a lot,” she said. “I never had my own room. I always shared with my foster brothers and sisters.” After her graduation, Sarah came to Mosaic and relocated to Waco, ready to
It was love at first sight, Sarah knew she was home the moment she stepped into the small unfurnished apartment. After looking at several apartments with her Mosaic Case Manager, Amy Godwin, Sarah found a place she could afford, feel safe and live on her own. “I’m only scared when it storms,” she said. “I just call Mrs. Amy. I love living by myself!” Moving into her own place was the first step in discovering her dreams can come true. Sarah volunteers several days a week with Fuzzy Friends and hopes to begin working for the organization soon. She is mending relationships with her family. She has built lasting friendships, enjoys social outings and found she really enjoys cooking. This fall, Sarah started attending McLennan County Community College in hopes that one day she can be a Veterinary Technician. This year Sarah celebrates her 21st birthday. She has her whole life ahead of her filled with endless possibilities.
Upcoming Events Tuesday, November 8, 2016 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Waco, Texas Tuesday, November 8, 2016 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. 1020 Trimmier Rd. Killeen Texas Tuesday, December 13, 2016 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Waco, Texas Tuesday, December 13, 2016 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Killeen, Texas Tuesday, January 10, 2017 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Waco, Texas Tuesday, January 10, 2017 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Killeen, Texas Learn how Mosaic helps create a life of possibility for adults with intellectual disabilities in our community. You will hear stories told by the people who know Mosaic best—the people we serve, their families and volunteers. Special Olympics Football November 12, 2016 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Baylor University Intramural Fields University Parks Drive and LaSalle Ave. Waco Mosaic Christmas Pageant and Celebration December 17, 2016 3:00 p.m. St Matthew Lutheran Church 800 New Road, Waco Texas Mosaic Angels Christmas Giving Choose your Mosaic Angel by November 28. Gift and donations are due by December 17. Please contact Serina Cole for more Information at serina.cole@mosaicinfo.org, 254.757.3434.
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3319 N 15th A St. Waco, TX 76708
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A life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities.
Giving a Voice WILL YOU JUST LISTEN TO ME? by Serina Cole; Community Relations Manager Mosaic gives a voice to individuals with intellectual disabilities every day in a variety of ways. Whether it is advocating on their behalf, attending an ARD Meeting at school or visiting with our State and Federal Legislators to stand in defense of those we serve, our staff, friends and family have a lot to say. Sometimes words are not enough. I teach a cooking class for our Day Program. It is honestly my favorite thing to do. I get a chance to spend my time with 12 amazing chefs. Although I am the teacher, more often than not, I’m the one learning a lesson. One lesson came over a pot of Taco Soup. One of my students became very frustrated and confused. No matter how hard she tried to tell me
why she was upset, I was distracted by other students and was not paying attention. Finally, she wedged herself between myself and the kitchen sink and yelled “Will you just listen to me?” She had a bag of soggy red chips in one hand while the other was covered in a mess of tomato sauce and tortilla crumbs. She had my attention! I learned that when I give directions to “stir in the tomato sauce” I need to be clear about where we are stirring it into. I still laugh when I share this story but admit I learned a greater lesson that afternoon. Part of my job to give a voice is simply listening to what they have to say. We don’t do this often enough.
person attending our Day Program was asked, “What do you want?” Today, when you walk into the conference room of our Waco office, you will see the walls are lined with the beautiful faces of Mosaic. Beside each one is a statement that begins with the words “I want …” “I want to go bowling.” “I want to go out to dinner with a friend.” “I want to go to a football game.” We invite you to listen! Join us in giving a voice by attending a Discover the Possibilities program, volunteering your time, making a small gift so someone can go bowling or simply sharing our mission with others. And please always remember, do not mix the tomato sauce with the chips.
Inspired by the meltdown, every
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