Take me out to the ballgameTake me out to the — no crowd for us! Twenty-five of the

people we serve and Mosaic staff didn’t have to deal with the hustle and bustle of other baseball fans at the July 14 Iowa Cubs game they attended. Instead, they were able to enjoy the game from the comfort of the largest, air-conditioned suite above the general stadium seats.

This wonderful opportunity was made possible with the $661 donation from the fourth grade class at Faith Lutheran Church in Clive. Following a presentation at Clive’s Faith Lutheran Vacation Bible Camp to educate camp-goers about Mosaic and the work we do for people with intellectual disabilities, the fourth grade class chose to make Mosaic their service project focus each year.

In celebration of Mosaic’s Centennial anniversary nationally and Mosaic in Des Moines’ 30th anniversary, the fourth grade class sold ceramic tiles donated by the Tile Shop in Clive to raise funds that provided our individuals with this incredible opportunity. This fourth grade class raised enough money to cover all the costs of this memorable outing that allowed the people we support and their staff to enjoy a baseball game in comfort and still experience the sounds, smells, and the tastes (chicken fingers, onion rings and quesadillas) of the ballpark!

A huge thanks to the Faith Lutheran Church in Clive and our fantastic partnership. This community connection is opening doors of friendship, support and opportunities for the people we serve.

Des Moines, Iowa 1 PATHWAYS

PATHWAYSa publication of Mosaic in Des Moines | 11141 Aurora Ave., Bldg. 3 | Urbandale, Iowa 50322-7904 Fall 2013

Mosaic staff and people we serve enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the July 14 Iowa Cubs baseball game at Principal Park.

After two years of wonderful work in the public relations specialist position here at Mosaic, Kathryn Graen Byrd has relocated. She was an exceptional employee and an even better friend to Mosaic — we wish her the best of luck as she embarks on a new journey in her life!

With this transition, we hired Leah Shields as the new public relations specialist. She started on July 16, 2013 and below is a little more about Leah.

Where did you grow up and what is your family like?

I grew up in Lenox, Iowa — a small town in the southwest corner of the state. Because the school district was small, I was fortunate to be involved in music, athletics, and academic clubs all through my school years. I love spending time with my family: my mom and dad, one older sister, my brother-in-law, and my wonderful nephew! We talk regularly on the phone and make frequent visits to see each other.

Where did you attend college and what was your area of study?

I graduated from William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa with a degree in Communications with Public Relations and a minor in English Literature.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?I enjoy a variety of things, but spending time with my

one-year-old nephew is definitely at the top of the list. He is such a ball of energy and already has a great little personality! I also enjoy sand volleyball, reading, watching movies, being outdoors, and hanging out with friends and family. I really love to laugh — a day just hasn’t been a good day until something makes me laugh!

What is your favorite food?This is a tough question for me — I honestly love almost

all food! There are very few things that I actually do not like, and I will try just about anything once. Food is definitely a passion of mine and I like trying new things.

Please join us in welcoming Leah to Mosaic!

Mosaic’s new Public Relations Specialist

Leah Shields, Mosaic’s new Public Relations Specialist in Des Moines.

Greetings to all!As we prepared the articles for

this edition of our newsletter, one word came to mind: connection. This is one of our Mosaic core values and it is beautifully demonstrated in the stories that are shared. Connections come through our wonderful volunteers, fourth graders at Faith Lutheran Church, and through the various ways that our staff help the people we support volunteer and give back to purposeful causes.

Our staff at Mosaic (including myself), are passionate about the work that we do and are continually focused on the numerous and meaningful ways that we create connections through our own efforts; but it is quite moving when we see that same passion from people who are not on staff at Mosaic and from the people we serve themselves. It is a true alignment and affirmation of why we exist, our mission, to create and provide full lives for people with intellectual disabilities, as a faith-based organization, and we do this with safety, respect, connection and integrity — our core values. It is significant when, as staff, we believe in this. It is beyond significant when others believe in this, too! For a truly meaningful life, it requires being a part of the community, and that community includes everyone.

Thank you to our many donors, volunteers and staff who believe in the work we do and the reasons why our work is so important for the people we get to serve every day.

Peace!Carol Mau

PATHWAYS 2 Des Moines, Iowa

Letter from the Executive Director by Carol Mau, Executive Director for Mosaic in Des Moines

PATHWAYS is published by Mosaic in Des Moines

11141 Aurora Ave., Bldg. 3 | Urbandale, Iowa 50322-7904P 515.246.1840 | www.mosaicindesmoines.org

Executive Director carol.mau@mosaicinfo.org

Public Relations Specialist & Editor leah.shields@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 PATHWAYS, or to receive information via email, please contact Mosaic at the address given.

©2013 Mosaic. All rights reserved. Mosaic is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

These ceramic tiles were sold by the Faith Lutheran Church in Clive’s fourth grade class as part of their service project for Mosaic.

The view from a volunteerLee Wolf has been a Mosaic volunteer since November

2012 in the role of a companion volunteer with Neal Stokely. Lee was searching the internet and interested in volunteer opportunities; his search led him to the conclusion that Mosaic is the biggest organization that you’ve never heard of. Through his interview process, Lee was matched with Neal based on their shared interests of building and assembly projects and that they both spend volunteer time at the Bicycle Collective.

It wasn’t best friends at first sight as Lee will attest. The first few visits were short and the conversations were stilted with the common pauses that happen with all new relationships. According to Lee, it takes time for new friendships to evolve and become truly comfortable — why would this one be any different? Lee and Neal continued on their journey, and it paid off! Through the opportunities to build different items, they were also building a friendship.

What keeps Lee volunteering is his connection with Neal and his respect for Mosaic. Lee comments that Mosaic is something different — something wonderful — because it is a people first organization. Like his understanding of the work at Mosaic, Lee is also living a person-first life. He didn’t need or want to know a diagnosis in order to volunteer with Neal and establish a friendship with him — Lee just wanted to get involved.

Des Moines, Iowa 3 PATHWAYS

Mosaic in Des Moines is now on Facebook! Join our page and keep up on the exciting things going on in the agency. Don’t forget to share our page with your Facebook friends, too!

www.facebook.com/mosaicindesmoines

Neal Stokely tests out the chair he and Mosaic volunteer, Lee Wolf, assembled together.

Neal Stokely (left) and Lee Wolf build a chair together.

Now looking at their bond, Lee says, “Who’s to say which one of us actually benefits the most from our time together?” He gets just as much from his time with Neal as Neal in turn gets from spending time with Lee. Lee brought up a great point: we all have our own personal challenges and they don’t make a difference; we can still have excellent friendships with each other regardless. Lee’s biggest sense of frustration is that he feels like he wants to be doing more and spending more time with Neal — what a great difficulty to face!

Lee is one of many volunteers who makes a difference at Mosaic every day! We are thankful to have all our volunteers — as they touch the lives of individuals at Mosaic, their own lives are touched in return.

PATHWAYS 4 Des Moines, Iowa

A life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Gabbie gives backCommunity connection is a two-way street at Mosaic in

Des Moines. Several of the people we serve work, volunteer and find ways to give back to the community on a regular basis. One person exemplified this in a most wonderful way this August. Motivated to get involved for the benefit of the Breast Cancer Foundation after a loved one’s battle with breast cancer, Gabbie Niswander organized and executed a successful fundraiser with the assistance of Mosaic staff.

Gabbie and staff washed vehicles for three consecutive hours at a local American Veterans Post. Gabbie was even able to engage two other individuals supported by Mosaic to join the cause and the car wash. With the help of her friends and staff, Gabbie raised $142.65 for the Breast Cancer Foundation — what an awesome contribution to the fight against breast cancer!

Thankfully, Gabbie’s loved one is in remission, but Gabbie isn’t stopping! This incredible achievement is only the beginning, as she has already started planning with staff for her next fundraiser and is brainstorming other ways to volunteer and stay involved. Way to go, Gabbie!

Gabbie Niswander raises funds at her car wash for the Breast Cancer Foundation with Mosaic staff member, Susan Davis.

n Movie theater passes n iPads or tablets

n Restaurant gift cards n Canvases and paint supplies

n Puzzles and board games

For more information or to donate, please contact Laura Holtman at 515.868.0602 or laura.holtman@mosaicinfo.org.

Wish List Items

We would love to have you join us at our office for an upcoming Discover the Possibilities tour – a moving and personal look at how we provide a life of possibilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Email laura.holtman@mosaicinfo.org or call 515.246.1840 x114 to reserve your spot.

November 5, 11:30 a.m. November 7, 5:00 p.m. December 10, 5:00 p.m. December 13, 11:30 a.m.