MOSAIC ORGANIZATION staff members are moving into a new location in the historic Craigmiles Hall in downtown Cleveland. In 2011, the nonprofit group operated without a permanent office due to budget constraints. The new location is being made available by Cleveland businessman Allan Jones. From left are Bennett Judkins, Chris Burnett, Beatrice Cherry, Brigitta Hoeferle and Christian Hoeferle.
Officially known as the Ocoee Region Multicultural Services, Mosaic was forced to operate without an office in 2011 due to budget constraints. The organization, whose diverse board membership includes Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland, is dedicated to promoting community awareness and the acceptance of ethnic and cultural differences.
“Allan Jones learned of our crisis and stepped in to provide us with an affordable office space,” said Christian Hoeferle, Mosaic president. “Without his generosity, our ability to help Cleveland residents would have been significantly hindered. We are very grateful.”
Jones provided Mosaic with Suite 103 in the historic Craigmiles Hall, located at 170 North Ocoee Street. The downtown location is ideal for the group, as it offers convenience to the more than 50 different ethnicities and cultures living now represented in the Cleveland and Bradley County community, Hoeferle said.
Mosaic provides interpretation and translation services and intercultural training programs, and members help to promote legal immigration. Other services offered by Mosaic include “Welcome to Cleveland” classes, cultural sensitivity training and language services for the Cleveland City and Bradley County School systems.
Hoeferle, a German native who relocated to Cleveland in 2004, said Mosaic also offers a German Saturday School program at Lee University's Church Street Annex that teaches German to local children and expatriate families. The service is vital due to the presence of companies like Wacker Polysilicon North America and Volkswagen.
Mosaic partners with United Way of Bradley County, the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, Lee University, Cleveland State Community College and other organizations. The group is supported by a United Way grant, but depends on the community for support and operates with limited funding — which made the Jones intervention critical so that Mosaic could provide the majority of its services for free.
“The services offered by Mosaic help build a stronger community and workforce,” Jones said. “Supporting Mosaic was an easy decision because they — much like myself — are committed to giving back to Cleveland.”
For more information on Mosaic, contact Hoeferle at (423) 284-5013 or send an email to christianhoeferle.orms@gmail.com. Additional information about Mosaic may be obtained from the website at www.mosaiccenter@wordpress.com or via Twitter and Facebook.
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Online:
www.mosaiccenter@wordpress.com
