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Major Expansion for Mosaic CCDA

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The artform of mosaic takes a variety of bits and pieces of all shapes, sizes and colors and rearranges them into a cohesive new image, proving that even the most wildly diverse of the pieces can play a key role in the big picture. It's not by sheer coincidence that the Mosaic Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) bears the name of that artform, because the work of the organization does exactly what the art calls for — taking all sorts of pieces and assembling them into a true work of art.

As the pieces of the Mosaic CCDA have grown and expanded, so too must the agency itself, and that is why the non-profit organization is launching its new Mosaic On the Move Capital Campaign to relocate to a new home on the other side of town next year.

The Mosaic Retail Store, their Jobs for Life Program and the Harbor Shine enterprises will all relocate to their own building at 200 Paw Paw Avenue in Benton Harbor at the opposite end of the city's Main Street thoroughfare by next summer. They actually don't have much choice in the matter, though, because Whirlpool Corporation owns the property that they currently occupy at 510 W. Main Street and the appliance giant will need that property for additional parking when the third and final phase of their Riverview Campus in downtown Benton Harbor comes on line and adds another 500 people to that sprawling complex.

The Mosaic On the Move Capital Campaign hopes to raise $850,000 to purchase, relocate, and retrofit the space at 200 Paw Paw Avenue. 

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Ric Pawloski is Executive Director of the Mosaic CCDA group, and he tells us the resale store will have considerably larger space in the new quarters, as well as additional outdoor space for the summertime Harbor Market place. As for the Cafe Mosaic, it will spin off and relocate to a building of its own in downtown Benton Harbor at a site that will be disclosed at a later date. The new cafe promises an expanded menu, outside seating, additional catering and job training opportunities and more.

To aid in the fundraising effort, a major benefit dinner is slated for 6pm on November 11th at First Church of God in St. Joseph. 

The Mosaic CCDA's Jobs for Life program has been a highly successful employment training unit that takes in those seeking a job even after they have been released from jail or prison to help turn their lives around. 

Pawloski is delighted that the new home for Mosaic will nearly triple the space available to their retail store and training center. The mission of the organization is to "create opportunities for steps to greatness as we prepare people for further education, life, and work while sharing Christ's love." The organization's first priority is, and will continue to be, the residents of Benton Harbor and then the surrounding region as they work to expand their impact through social enterprises like Jobs for Life.

When the Mosaic units are all successfully relocated, the building at 510 W. Main will be demolished to make way for additional parking for the Riverview Campus of Whirlpool. Stay tuned. 

The future home of Mosaic CCDA at 200 Paw Paw Avenue in Benton Harbor…
 

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