Mosaic Partner Pairs applications are now open for new year session

Embracing diversity in all its forms — whether it be ethnicity, religion, gender identity, economic background or more — is the goal for Topeka United's Mosaic Partner Pairs.

Coleen Thomas joined the Mosaic Partner Pairs to educate the Topeka area about the Prairie Band Potawatomi.

"We're very rich in our culture, in how we became to live where we are now," Thomas said. "And I kind of feel like however proud we are of it, we don't share it enough with the local community. So, when we're upset because we feel disrespected or whatever, a lot of it is because we don't share. We don't share what we're doing, what we're about as openly as we can."

"So, I wanted to be a catalyst of opening up those conversations and sharing my knowledge or my involvement with our culture."

Mosaic Partners lead to understanding of one another

Beginning those conversations and being in the Mosaic group allowed for Thomas to meet Capt. Colleen Stuart, of the Topeka Police Department. Stuart said she joined the group for a social aspect, because she encounters diversity daily in the capital city.

"There's not a lot of people who really reach out to someone in my profession on a personal level," Stuart said, "but I still wanted to enlarge that social circle. And I was intrigued by wanting to know people who were similar in character, similar in belief, similar in values. But different in just appearances because we tend to judge people on the surface, but below that, it's much like an iceberg."

Thomas and Stuart were paired together through the programs assessment and realized they shared more similarities than differences than they would have thought.

"The clusters have a curriculum that we go through," Stuart said, "It's really about self-awareness, who you are and broadening your awareness on who others are on opening your eyes to the fact that there is more in the world than just what you have been used to."

Formal and informal sessions allow for the participants to learn, understand and reflect on discussions.

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Mosaic Partner Pairs program now open for 2024-25

The program for Mosaic Partner Pairs will run from Aug. 24, 2024, to May 7, 2025.

The deadline to apply is July 5. Acceptances should be announced by late July. 

"We encourage people to get their applications in as soon as possible so that everyone has the best chance at being paired," said Karen Hiller Topeka City Council member. "We expect to pair 60 individuals and accommodate up to 20 teens for the nine-month engagement."

Topeka United has now run the Mosaic Partner Pairs program for three years, resulting in more than 150 alumni who, even during the COVID pandemic, actively participated in the experience. The 2024-25 program will be run locally by a program manager, coach coordinator and 13 volunteer coaches, each of whom have been through the program.

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In addition to the core Mosaic Partner Pairs program, a Teen Mosaic program is available and will run during the same August to May time period.

"We are seeking partners who represent all races, cultures and walks of life," Hiller said.

There is no cost for participation, only the commitment to participate three times per month — once in a group session and twice one-on-one with a program-matched partner.

Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Mosaic Partner Pairs now open for new participants