Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr Leslie Whited & MOSAIC Collective Mgt.
Hi Dr Leslie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
At MOSAIC we serve all the continents of the world from our building. We are truly global. MOSAIC is a place where the broken parts of life come together to make something artistic and beautiful. MOSAIC is 30 years old. People at MOSAIC rise up through free programs: Basics to Employment, In-Home Senior Assistance, Health outreach and access classes and kits (disaster response), and integration of economic immigrants and refugees through a spectrum of services. MOSAIC reaches 1 in 25 Utahns each year with tangible resources, services and programs, MOSAIC is “in the Community, and in the World, for good!”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Coming to America for four out of five of the management team, it was a challenge to get citizenship. Coming from war-torn countries, acculturating to America, gaining citizenship, gaining employment at MOSAIC, and rising to a leadership level at MOSAIC is a long, arduous, road. These are talented, resilient, determined and compassionate leaders. MOSAIC Management Collective Names: – now all USA citizens:
Jose Bonilla (originally from El Salvador)
Justine Boukari (originally from Togo)
Agnes Nduwimana (originally from Burundi)
Obott Nissi (originally from Nigeria)
Cristy Reilly (originally from Utah)
MOSAIC has a history of serving anyone who comes to their door. Recent, spontaneous, budget cuts to diverse programs have been very challenging, though, to the steady work. Foundations, donors, and local offerings have become even more important, essential, to smooth non-profit operations!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We talked about this together as CEO & Management team – What are the patterns among us? What are we most proud of? Patterns:
Believe in being humankind, be both.
The desire to assist people to rise, be bold, have dignity, express and advocate for themselves.
Desire for informal and/or formal learning and education.
Flexibility to learn new things every day.
To learn from our mistakes.
Persistence in the face of learning everything from how to: get a license, drive, learn American business, navigate pathways to make a difference for people in need, etc.
Most proud of:
Joy exchanged between people daily;
Seeing people gain a sense of self and community over time;
Making a difference for people;
Seeing people stabilize and then give back to the community;
Becoming more welcoming to all people every day.
Pricing:
- LSSU.org website – can donate
Contact Info:
- Website: LSSU.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lss.utah
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-leslie-whited-ceo-16686b158/
