Veterans

Mysteries Of Spiritual Awareness In Communities MOSAIC, Inc., has collaboratively partnered with over the years as it started its MOSAIC Journey, with a very amicable, professionally skilled Veteran Affairs (VA) Supportive Services contractor, such as the Dreamweaver Consultancy, Inc., Medical Group (DMG); and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW); numerous Faith Groups (e.g., Calvary Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, Church of the Living Word of GOD (CLWG), Atwater Park Baptist Church (APBC), etc.); and the Military and Veteran Affairs County of Los Angeles (MVACLA).

MOSAIC, Inc., by means of its numerous collaborative World Faith Groups (WFGs) partners, have been serving the County of LA and Southern California for decades, and are substantially recognized and providing various community outreach services. DMG is also a very reliable Medical Group, as evident by owner and Medical Director, Dr. Stanley Toy’s 23+ years medical facility oversight, along with a previous 3 year VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) known as the VA Greater LA Healthcare System for the San Gabriel Valley and the Los Angeles County.

MOSAIC, Inc., have numerous “Integrated Collaborative Partnerships (ICP)” with Faith-Based Community Organizations (FBCOs), World Faith Groups (WFGs), i.e., church congregations, synagogues, temples, mosques), are repeatedly asked to respond to a variety of community needs, including local, county, regional and state (e.g., Veterans & Mental Health Organizations, etc.).

Most recently, and especially due to the present economic crisis, they have undoubtedly been knocking at ALL of the WFGs doors. How can the various WFGs and FBCOs respond??? The values of World Faith Groups lifestyles create the potential for being the Caring-First-Responders. A World Faith Group can be a place where homeless people, the disabled and mentally ill can find a place of welcome, hospitality, an extended family for those in need, as they struggle with the realities of living on the streets with a disability and/or mental illness. MOSAIC, Inc., has put on various WFGs Symposium’s, by means of its innovative collaborations to help and assist ALL WFGs to have a better understanding of the homeless (e.g., Veterans), including those in prison with disabilities and/or mental illness, and what can be done to remain vigilant, understanding, caring, and most importantly supportive.

The goal is to have them ALL welcomed as part of a Faith community and integrated into the life and lifestyle of the particular community. For example, when relationships and partnerships are built, barriers of misunderstanding and discrimination breakdown and are replaced by bridges of friendship, understanding & compassionate care. It is the task / mission of “MOSAIC, Inc.” to continue to facilitate this process through and in collaboration with the SSVF.

Therefore, the experiences that MOSAIC, Inc., has had with DMG Clinic as an “Integrated Collaborative Partnership” that provided Veterans and the “Whole Community” with the following: (1) Primary Care Services: intake; initial assessment; health promotion (screening & counseling); referrals for specialty care, rehabilitation, and other levels of care; follow-up; over-all-care management; and patient and caregiver education; and (2) Mental Health Services: screening and prevention for various mental disorders, and diagnostic evaluation for mental illness and substance abuse; and referral for inpatient or residential care, direct care, or access to consultation for special emphasis and/or complex problems (e.g., Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)), etc.

High Desert Daily Press 12/11/2018 by Matthew Cabe, Staff Writer

VICTORVILLE - Rev. Dr. James Steele was honored Monday for his volunteerism in the local community, but – in the spirit of that work – he used the spotlight to help others.

To accompany the President’s Volunteer Service Award he received from the White House in March, Steele earned a certificate from San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor Robert Lovingood that recognized his “continued dedication and commitment to the Veterans and Seniors in our High Desert communities.”

Rev. Dr. James Steele, center, speaks during the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 92 holiday party in Victorville. Chapter Commander Dan Flyod stands at left. San Bernardino County Department of Veteran Affairs Director Frank Guevara is at right. [Matthew Cabe, Photo, Daily Press].

Lovingood couldn’t attend Monday’s ceremony – held during the Disabled American Veterans Bill Kinnard Chapter 92 holiday party – so Steele worked with Chapter 92 Commander Dan Floyd to tap San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs Director Frank Guevara for the event.

“I was, thanks to the commander, allowed to bring Col. Guevara here to really network and help (disabled veterans),” Steele said during his acceptance speech. “He’s been beneficial to the county.”

Much of Steele’s work is accomplished as President and CEO of Mysteries Of Spiritual Awareness In Communities MOSAIC, Inc., an organization founded about a decade ago to “accelerate wellness” and provide services to individuals with mental illnesses or disabilities.

His and Floyd’s move, then, was strategic because it afforded Guevara an opportunity to potentially help disabled veterans both in and outside Chapter 92’s ranks via a keynote speech that touted recent accomplishments.

The county’s VA saw 30,400 veterans over the last year, according to Guevara. In that time, the department was able to procure $45.1 million – “in cash” and “tax free” – in requested assistance.

“So that’s a lot, and it turns out to be the highest in the State of California,” Guevara told the group about 30 inside the Elks Lodge on Hesperia Road. “L.A. County has four times my budget and twice the staff. They got their veterans around $30 million.”

Guevara said veterans here get close to $500 million annually in disability and pension compensation. Additionally, he said nearly 1,200 homeless veterans have been housed since he became director in June 2015.

Guevara’s believes, however, that more veterans need support. He said assistance with claims, appeals, identification cards and tuition waivers, among other services, is also available.

“What I tell people is, ‘Just come into the office’,” he said. “You don’t really need a particular reason to come in. I always invite veterans (to) come in and get a benefits assessment.”

While Steele saw Monday’s event as a chance to spread what he called MOSAIC’s “grassroots” efforts in “helping families and communities,” he also expressed gratitude for the recognition his work has brought. He said it was especially meaningful considering his father [Sgt. William A. Steele] served during World War II with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

“I’m just honored to be a service personnel through GOD in service to help veterans and what you guys do,” he told the Chapter 92 members. “I’m well aware of being, I guess, a veteran brat and growing up….understanding what you do and what you go through.”

Floyd, meanwhile, retired from the U.S. Army last year and only recently became the chapter’s commander. He spoke about Disabled American Veterans’ nearly 2 million members across the country with pride, but he showed even more affection for the more than 800 who comprise Chapter 92.

He told the Daily Press they have amazing stories, adding that many are too timid or humble to share. His goal as commander, in part, is to celebrate those stories.

“Our whole plan is to service and strengthen our veteran organizations and our veteran population,” Floyd told the members. “We just want to make sure we’re doing good by you.”

Contact the county VA’s San Bernardino Office at 900-382-3290 for more information. The Hesperia office can be reached at 760-995-8010. Email the county VA at inquiry@va.sbcounty.gov.

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 92 meets at 1 pm on the second Monday of every month at the Elks Lodge located at 14041 Hesperia Road. Contact 760-241-9647 for more information.

Matthew Cabe can be reached at MCabe@VVDailyPress.com or at 760-951-6254. Follow me on Twitter @DP_MatthewCabe.

“On Wed., January 13, MOSAIC, Inc. celebrated and honored sic veterans during a ceremony at the Spring Valley Lake Veterans Memorial.

Each honoree was presented with a plaque bearing their name, rank and branch of the military where they served.

The honorees were Pvt. First Class Schultz; Sgt. Steele; Sgt.’s Edward and Norman Parsadanian; Sgt. Erickson and Sgt. Alfieri.

The plaques were presented by MOSAIC, Inc., with the distinct privilege of knowing them personally, and sharing their stories to all ages and countries worldwide.

Those in attendance were in particular awe of their service to protect the world’s free-est nation, this U.S. Constitutional Republic, from those who would do no harm.

The honorees also received certificates of recognition from the following local government offices: U.S. 8th District Congressman Jay Obernolte; CA 21st District Senator Scott Wilk; San Bernardino 1st District Supervisor Ret. Col. Paul Cook; San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs Director Ret. Col. Frank Guevara; Town of Apple Valley Mayor Curt Emick; and City of Victorville Mayor Debra Jones.

Shannon Dunkle from Congressman Obernolte’s office presented each with their Congressional Certificates of recognition.

Sgt. Erisckson, Councilwoman Blanca Gomez, Congressmen Obernolte’s Veterans Services Director/Field Representative Shannon Dunkle, Sgt. Parsadanian, Fr. James Steele of MOSAIC, Inc., Pvt. First Class Schultz, Sgt. Alfieri, and Apple Valley Councilman Art Bishop at the Spring Valley Lake Veterans Memorial. [Photo by Katrina Siverts]

The balance of the certificates were presented by Apple Valley Town Councilman Art Bishop, who did a great job of getting them to talk about their service, and what it meant to each.

There were tears and proud moments as each one was given the opportunity to speak about their service. Some preferred to say little, however the emotion showed through on their faces as they spoke.

Everyone acknowledged the fact that very few Americans ever have the opportunity to display this level of commitment to this great country of ours and it’s allied nations.

Sgt. Parsadanian receives certificate from Shannon Dunkle of Congressman Obernolte’s office.

All six men stood tall, proud, never gave up, nor never gave in, for the safety, security and sovereignty of all nations, and just as Britain’s Winston Churchill quoted: “never have so many, owed so much, to so few.”

Most of the honorees had their families and friends present to share in the ceremony, congratulate them. 

Once all certificates were presented, each honoree was presented with a special memorial plaque made of tile, & engraved with their personal information.

These plaques will be installed as a permanent part of the memorial monument, located front and center of all other plaques.

The Spring Valley Lake Veterans Memorial Monument is located on Spring Valley Lake Parkway, near the tennis courts.

It is available to the public for viewing by stopping along the side of the road and getting out at the site.

Sgt. Bob Erickson and Pvt. First Class Schultz hold the plaque that will be installed at the memorial. Sgt. Shelley Alfieri receives a certificate from Senator Scott Wilk presented by Apple Valley Councilman Art Bishop. Sgt. Bob Erickson and family members stand behind the plaques that will be permanently installed at the Spring Valley Lake Veterans Memorial Monument. [Photos by Katrina Siverts]