How Mosaic’s Community Engagement Works!
How Mosaic’s Community Engagement Works! – An interview with Lauren McNair about her role at Mosaic, interview on “A Woman’s Perspective with Marilyn Wetston, Zoomer Radio AM 740. Lauren was featured on Saturday Feb. 17th, 2024.
You can listen to the recording of the interview, and read the transcript, below.
As the Community Resource and Social Engagement Coordinator, I am responsible for organizing social programs and putting together our quarterly newsletter and activity booklet which are filled with a variety of articles, social programs, and other community events in Toronto. We aim to provide programs that fit our community member’s needs, and we achieve this by being in the community, having meaningful conversations with people, and listening to what their interests and hobbies are. Mosaic hosts everything from fitness classes, educational seminars, art programs, and city tours to connect people to each other, and to the community around them.
Mosaic is also a Community Resource Centre which is in Armour Heights Presbyterian Church near Yonge and York Mills. Anyone who is needing information regarding anything from transportation services, mental health services and more can visit our space and take a look at the hundreds of brochures and resources we have there.
Marilyn Wetston: That is fantastic that Mosaic does so much for the community. What topic will you be discussing today?
Lauren McNair: I wanted to address a question that I am ask often by some community members who attend our social programs, which is; Why do we do what we do? Why does Mosaic host social programs in the community? There are no other Home Care agencies doing this, so why does Mosaic?
Well, the answer is that the Mosaic focuses on Person-Centered Care in all that we do. That is looking at the entire person, their life and family, their interests and hobbies, their emotional and social needs, as well as their physical needs. So, when Mosaic was created 14 years ago, our co-founders Jane Teasdale and Nathalie Anderson decided to go beyond just home care and make sure that Mosaic provides free and low-cost social programs to the community as well.
Marilyn Wetston: You mentioned the term ‘person-centered care’ and how that means looking at the person, not just one aspect of them, so how does Mosaic apply this concept in your model of care?
Lauren McNair: Person-Centered Care is the core value at Mosaic that guides us in everything that we do as an organization. On our Home Care side, all our caregivers go through Person-Centered Care training and are certified in this concept to ensure that our clients are receiving the best, most personal care. Our caregivers don’t just enter a home and check off the list of things that need to be done that day, they go above and beyond to get to know the person they are caring for. What was their life like growing up? What do they like to do for fun? And how can we take what we learn about the client and apply it to their care and engage meaningfully with them.
Marilyn Wetston: I am sure the Person-Centered Care approach allows caregivers to learn a lot of interesting things about your clients and their lives.
Lauren McNair: Oh, most definitely! A great example of this is that we recently found out that one of our clients was a professionally trained concert pianist who trained at Julliard! She is turning 100 this year and still plays so beautifully. So, Jane went to her home and filmed an interview about her amazing life and had her play some of her favorite pieces. We wanted to feature this beautiful interview and concert as one of our online social programs this season to highlight this incredible woman and her story. So, I invite everyone listening to join us for “A February Winterlude – Life as a Concert Pianist” on Wednesday February 21st at 2pm on Zoom. Anyone interested in registering can visit the events page on our website, www.mosaichomecare.com
Marilyn Wetston: That sounds wonderful Lauren, what a special program that will be. So, are the social programs Mosaic provides only for clients receiving Home Care Services?
Lauren McNair: No, our social programs and events are open to everyone in the community! We take a Person-Centered approach to this side of our organization as well. We are in the community talking to people and finding out what their needs and wants are to help provide them with programs that keep them engaged and informed. Regardless of your age, race, gender identity or background, all are welcome to our programs. We believe that individuals are stronger as a community and our social health increases when we have a strong social network of support.
Marilyn Wetston: Wow, Mosaic provides so many wonderful services in the community, and Person-Centered Care is at the center of it all?
Lauren McNair: It certainly is Marilyn. At Mosaic we provide Person-Centered Care in everything from our home care services, to our social programs, to the social prescribing we provide through our resource centre. Every person has a unique story, and a unique set of needs, and our communities are so diverse and beautiful because of that.
Marilyn Wetston: Mosaic Home Care & Community Resource Centre certainly is a unique organization unlike any other, and now I understand why you do what you do. We must care for people in a way that considers them as a whole person, not just one aspect of who they are and what they need.
Lauren McNair: Exactly, that is what we strive to do every day. We encourage anyone listening to join the Mosaic community and take part in our social programs or come check out our resource centre. You can see our current newsletter by visiting www.mosaichomecare.com
If you or anyone you know could benefit from home care services that take a holistic, person-centered approach then please visit our website or call 416-322-7002 to speak with our fantastic and knowledgeable Client Services team.
Marilyn Wetston: Thank you so much for sharing about Mosaic today, Lauren.
Lauren McNair: Thank you for having me on today, Marilyn, it has been a pleasure!
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Past Mosaic events and programs include Forest Bathing walks in High Park, An Intergenerational Dance Party at the Evergreen Brick Works, holiday events, and interesting guest speakers in person and online that have ranged from music history lessons to an interview with a beekeeper! We have something for everyone and encourage anyone looking for a new experience or social connection to come and join our programs.
To find out about our social programs and home care services you can visit our website at mosaichomecare.com or contact us at info@mosaichomecare.com