Mosaic Connectionsa publication of Mosaic in Winfield | 2120 E. 9th Ave. | Winfield, KS 67156-3318 May 2014

Winfield, KS 1 Mosaic Connections

Carol Suess, Our Mosaic Weather Gal

Carol Suess has been fascinated with weather since she was 4 years old and remembers a tornado outbreak in Nebraska. Since that time, Carol has built up quite a collection of videos and books about tornadoes and weather, and hopes to someday visit the weather school and storm chaser central at the University of Oklahoma!

For the past couple of years, Carol has been actively involved in our community, attending the annual Cowley County Storm Fury meetings for storm spotters. She really enjoys hearing the different storm spotting stories, learning about tornadoes and storms and even won a weather radio this year! Not only is she involved in the local storm chasing group, but she also likes watching Dave Freeman, the meteorologist on KSN, after having met him a couple of years ago.

Carol leads a meaningful life supported by Mosaic while living in her own apartment. When she is not working as our Mosaic receptionist and serving as our local weather expert, she enjoys watching movies, reading, listening to music, going to church, and working with her yarn and plastic canvas projects.

A Meaningful Evening with Peter Pan by Deb Bailey, Direct Support Services

Charles and Matt were able to score second row tickets to the dress rehearsal of Peter Pan at Cowley County Community College’s Brown Center recently. They both had the time of their lives, even though when they lowered the ship’s deck over the orchestra pit, it seemed as if they were going to land it on their heads! They both thought the show was very entertaining and filled with some young, exceptional talent.

When the show was over, Charles gave them a standing ovation and Matt left the theater pretending he could fly! It was definitely an evening well spent.

Mosaic Art ShowThe people served by Mosaic love art, and they love to

learn new things! Mosaic created a connection with two art teachers from local colleges at our Discover the Possibilities events. With the donation of art supplies, the direction of the art teachers and help from a couple of their art students, we were able to hold three weeks of art classes for the people we serve! In those classes, people learned about clay and did some clay work. They also used watercolors and acrylic paints. The classes were enjoyed by all!

At the end of the three weeks of classes, we held an art show in down-town Winfield at the Marquee P e r f o r m i n g Arts Theatre. During the show, we were able to serve our Jumpy Monkey coffee and some of our budding artists even sold their art work during a silent auction. In total, they were able to earn $242! In addition to the event being open to the general public, several family members and connected community members stopped by to show their support of Mosaic and how we’re helping give a voice to those we serve in our community.

As we try to shake old man winter away and welcome spring, Mosaic in Winfield has many changes to announce. First and very exciting is the changes of our bimonthly Discover the Possibilities tours. We have incorporated stories which include the individuals being part of telling the story. We invite you to attend and get a first-hand account on what we are about. Nancy has taken our sustainable fundraising program to a new level for our agency, engaging volunteers into our daily activities as well as special events. To attend a future Discover the Possibilities, please call Nancy Maier at 620.229.8702, x13.

Mosaic in Winfield hosted an appreciation soup luncheon for Redeemer Lutheran Church in Arkansas City in mid-January. Every Thursday, Pastor Boxman and church volunteers teach a Bible study via power point or small group study. Their congregation sponsors an Angel Tree for the Mosaic individuals. Each person we serve receives multiple gifts. For Mosaic, this is just a small token of appreciation for the continued sense of mission that is forwarded from Redeemer Lutheran Church.

In February, Mosaic hosted an Art Show. Art classes were taught in January and February by volunteers in our community who have attended a Discover the Possibilities. The individuals we serve were taught painting skills as well as other art projects. We held an Art Show at the Marque on a Sunday displaying the artwork for the general public to see.

Some individuals chose to sell their paintings via silent auction. One individual elected to use his earnings to

purchase drawing pencils. This was the result of our Discover the Possibilities events, through building and cultivating relationships. Winfield has experienced firsthand the benefits of these events.

In March we held a special barbecue recognizing National Intellectual and Development Disabilities Awareness Month. Most of the meal was either provided through our Team of Mosaic Miracles or a local meat company. Don with the assistance of Herman

did the barbecuing. A petting zoo was brought in for our individuals to enjoy. It was a fun day being at Mosaic.

As stated earlier, change is happening at the Winfield agency. Vennesa Roberts has been promoted to Quality Assurance Coordinator. Mary Reeves, who holds a LPN license, is now the agency nurse with over site from our Regional RN. We have hired Caroline Grantz as Case Manager, and two new Direct Support Managers, Mary Whiteside and Chris Colgin. We are excited about what Caroline, Mary, and Chris bring to our agency as they have experience with other agencies in Kansas. When you see Caroline, Mary W., Chris, Mary R., and Venessa, please thank them for coming on board and/or taking on new roles.

Thank you!

Mosaic Connections 2 Winfield, KS

Mosaic Connections by Mosaic in Winfield, Kan.

2120 E. 9th Ave. | Winfield, KS 67156-3318 P 620.229.8702 | F 620.229.8760 | www.mosaicinwinfield.orgExecutive Director don.ziegler@mosaicinfo.org

Editor nancy.maier@mosaicinfo.org

MissionEmbracing 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 MosaicIf you have a concern, call our national Confidential Reporting Hotline at 800.443.4899, or email integrity@mosaicinfo.org.

RelationshipsMosaic is an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Lutheran Services in America.

Non-discriminationMosaic 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 for Mosaic Matters, or to receive information via email, please contact Mosaic at the address given.

©2014 Mosaic. All rights reserved. Mosaic is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

F R O M T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

Spring Changes by Don Ziegler

Andy’s Cooking ClassIf you’ve met Andy, you

know he loves to bake and cook. He has even begun teaching classes about baking and cooking, with his class in March focusing on peanut butter cookies and carrot

muffins. Andy has been able to purchase a mixer, food processor, and numerous other baking items, and enjoys anything that has to do with baking or cooking.

Mosaic has helped Andy perfect his baking skills by providing opportunities for him to share his talents with others. His next class will be held during lunchtime, which is appropriate since he will be making homemade pizza!

If you would like to hear more stories about how Mosaic is helping provide a meaningful life for people, we invite you to attend an upcoming Discover the Possibilities event. For upcoming dates or to learn more, please contact Mosaic’s Community Relations Manager, Nancy Maier, at nancy.maier@mosaicinfo.org or 620.229.8702 x13.

Nichole’s Appreciation CelebrationFor the past nine years, Nichole Myers has happily greeted

afternoon callers and guests to our agency. Everyone from the mail delivery drivers, parents and guardians of those we serve, and even dignitaries in our community know Nichole and she knows all of them, too. In January, Nichole retired as our afternoon receptionist and the Mosaic office staff gave her a celebration party complete with all of her favorite party foods. Not only was Nichole praised for her hard work and dedication to Mosaic, she also received a wonderful plaque recognizing her commitment and service.

Now that Nichole has moved on, she is now looking for a new venture! She has so much to offer and her dedication is unwavering. We are already missing Nichole’s enthusiasm for her job, and her welcoming spirit.

If you are a business interested in employing people we serve, we would love to connect with you! Mosaic not only helps connect people with meaningful employment, but also provides continual training and support. To learn more, please consider attending an upcoming Discover the Possibilities event by contacting Nancy Maier at nancy.maier@mosaicinfo.org or 620.229.8702 x13.

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We invite you and a guest to attend a free, one-hour event called Discover the Possibilities. Those who attend will be given a tour of our mission statement and work through stories told by the people we serve, their families and our staff. After attending this event you will be better informed about our mission and how you can help share it in our community.

To learn more, please contact Nancy Maier at 620.229.8702 x13 or nancy.maier@mosaicinfo.org.

Upcoming Discover the Possibilities events

May 20, 2014 | 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

June 18, 2014 | 12 p.m.

June 19, 2014 | 12 p.m.

A life of

possibilities for people

with intellectual disabilities.

Mosaic Connections 4 Winfield, KS

Spirit Day 2014Each year, Mosaic recognizes March as National Intellectual and

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Mosaic in Winfield celebrates with a Spirit Day or Week and a themed barbecue event. Staff and the people we serve arrive dressed in their best themed attire, ready to compete for the best spirit award. The winners are announced at the barbecue and are awarded with a traveling plaque they get to display until the next year’s event.

Themes in the past have included favorite team day, favorite holiday day, and stars-and-stripes day, but this year was a western theme and many came dressed in their best duds! At the event, we offered a petting zoo complete with a llama, alpaca, calf, bunny, Rosie the horse, and a goat and her two kids! Everyone had a fun time filled with great food and fellowship. Votes were tallied for the best spirit, and Broadway Men won the title this year! Their ensemble was complete with a covered wagon, and they certainly showed the best spirit.

We’re already looking forward to Spirit Day 2015!

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Duncan the Duck Visits Irving and Whittier

Mosaic in Winfield’s Community Relations Manager, Nancy Maier, and Annie and Felicia, both served by Mosaic, recently visited students at two local grade schools. They took along with them Duncan the Duck materials to educate the students about awareness and respect for people with disabilities. After sharing a video about Duncan and his new friends, the students did some activities about being disabled, and received a coloring book teaching them even more about tolerance, respect and how to be friends with everyone.

Annie and Felicia enjoyed talking with the students about how busy their lives are! They also spoke about how Mosaic provides a meaningful life for them, helping give each of them a voice and become more involved in their caring community. Annie and Felicia had a fun time, and the students really enjoyed meeting them as well.

Thank you to Kim Mercer and Kathy Wohlgemuth for helping arrange our time together and we look forward to sharing Duncan the Duck with other classes soon! For more information or to get involved with Mosaic, please contact Nancy Maier at nancy.maier@mosaicinfo.org or 620.229.8702 x13.

Mosaic Shows Eddie Love at Valentine’s Day Party

We had some special guests from the Veteran’s Home visit us during our Valentine’s Day party held at the beautifully decorated Redeemer Lutheran Church

fellowship hall in Ark City. Party guests were treated to coffee, cupcakes and the crowning of the Valentine’s Day King and Queen! This year, Eddie Ybarra and Kelly McFall were given the honor

and along with them were their court, Mike Bishop and Annie Renberger. Court members walked down the red carpet lined with balloons where they announced the runners up and winners. Everyone enjoyed dancing and a meal together. Thank you to Marsha Spangler and Jacquie Eastman for the decorated cupcakes!

Since our party in February, Eddie has passed away and is a Mosaic angel. Rest in peace, Eddie – we will never forget your sweet spirit and smile.

King Eddie Ybarra and Queen Kelly McFall

2120 E. 9th Ave.Winfield, KS 67156-3318

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A life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Mosaic Connections 6 Winfield, KS

from JessicaKudos to Karen Kier for dedicating herself to the people she serves to ensure they have the best care.

Kudos to Georgette Gray and Eddie Stevens for working nonstop every day to ensure the schedule is filled and the houses are clean.

Kudos to Trameka Jordan for dedicating 11 years to Mosaic! Trameka has shown me what it takes to be an excellent Direct Support Manager.

from NancyKudos to the Mosaic Miracle Makers, my community involvement team, who continually help put smiles on people’s faces with all of their support, donations, time and dedication. Thank you!

from Sara Kudos to all the office receptionists.

Carol, our early morning receptionist, who is always ready with a smile.

Annie and Danita, who do their jobs so efficiently in the late mornings.

Jennifer, our new afternoon receptionist, who has learned her job very quickly and is doing very well.

Make sure to stop by and greet our efficient office staff and thank them for doing their jobs.

from Caroline Kudos to the Mosaic staff for making me feel so welcome on my first day of employment. Every day I’m thankful that I have found a home with Mosaic.