Just one year after de-centralizing operations and splitting their enterprise family into three separate operations, Mosaic CCDA has decided the strain placed on the mission and the resultant challenges have become too overwhelming and a major realignment is required. As a result, the organization’s cafe on Main Street will be shut down, their property services team will cease residential services and focus exclusively on commercial clientele, and a new management team will drill down to the core focus of Mosaic Opportunity — their Jobs for Life training and beyond.
The tough decisions were revealed late this afternoon by the Mosaic CCDA Board of Directors which has placed the Mosaic on Main Cafe building up for sale, and will transition out of residential lawn care and other services over the next 30 days as the realignment takes shape.
The team at Mosaic CCDA announced plans today to implement their new social enterprise structure that will align the organization’s business operations with its core growth strategies and posture the development association to create more job training opportunities for people in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
The vote from its Board of Directors will simplify operations to align Mosaic’s priorities with future growth. The new structure organizes Mosaic’s core business operations with a solid focus on “Mosaic Opportunity”, which includes Jobs for Life training, partnerships, job placement, and volunteer coordination.
Ric Pawloski continues to serve as Mosaic’s Executive Director with an increased focus on “Mosaic Opportunity,” while Ambi Williams will serve as Mosaic’s Business Development Director, overseeing Mosaic’s social enterprises.
Rev. Brian Bennett, Board President and Founder, says, “After much prayer and consideration, Mosaic has three big moves it believes are in the best interest moving forward.” Due to the relocation from one central building to three locations that separated Mosaic’s business offices, resale store, and café after the building Mosaic leased was sold on Main Street in Benton Harbor, its operations were strained and the mission experienced challenges.
The Board of Directors voted to align Mosaic’s priorities with future growth:
- Simplify operations by closing the “Mosaic on Main” Cafe located at 325 West Main. The iconic property with the soaring “Food” sign is currently on the market for sale. Mosaic will now focus on its food service enterprise at Lake Michigan College known as “Mosaic on Campus.” That will be a key to Mosaic’s culinary training and catering and serve as a successful social enterprise in the food industry.
- Operational reorganization and leadership. Positions for paid and volunteer support staff will be filled in the weeks and months ahead as the new management team begins working together.
- Mosaic Property Services will transition in the month of July to serving exclusively commercial properties and customers with great excellence. All current residential customers will be served over the next 30-days during the transition.
The Rev. Bennett says, “We believe Mosaic’s mission in our community matters more than ever and we want to thank you for prayers and support. Your shopping and donations at the resale store, use of Mosaic property services for commercial lawn care, and your pledge and participation in our ‘one of a million’ campaign are greatly appreciated.” He adds, “For those affected negatively by Mosaic’s challenges in 2017–18, we offer our humble apology along with a commitment to do everything we can to deliver better services and programming in the future. Mosaic’s future is bright and our mission is more relevant than ever as we boldly walk forward together with our community.”
Since 2009, Mosaic CCDA has created opportunities for greatness and prepared people for further education, life, and work while sharing Christ’s love in southwest Michigan. Focused on strengthening an employable workforce and building a stronger community, Mosaic has three social enterprises serving Benton Harbor, Mosaic Resale, Mosaic on Campus, and Mosaic Properties.
The social enterprises help sustain the non-profit economically and provide on-the-job training and skills for students with practical experience learned in the classroom, preparing them for full time employment outside of the organization.
From 2015 to 2017, 74-percent of attendees of Mosaic Opportunity through Jobs for Life graduated and attended from day 1 of its program, 41-percent were trained through its social enterprises, and 26-percent were externally employed in the community. Mosaic CCDA believes a relationship with God is key to shaping and sustaining both their vision and their work. A life committed to Christian Community Development principles and work (CCD) is often difficult and has been described by many as “working in the trenches.” Prayer, spiritual sustenance, and community are critical. For more information you can visit www.mosaicccda.com.
