Mosaic in Northern Iowa promotes Crystal Kurth to the position of Program Manager
Crystal Kurth ... Submitted photo.
With its headquarters in Waukon, Mosaic in Northern Iowa has promoted Crystal Kurth as its new Program Manager. Kurth has worked for Mosaic for a total of 15 years, starting back in 2002 when the entity was called Martin Luther Homes and was a part of the merger with Mosaic.
She left Mosaic in 2008 and came back in 2014, remaining there ever since. Prior to her promotion to Program Manager, she has held many positions in her time with Mosaic, including Direct Support Associate, Associate Direct Support Manager, and Program Coordinator/Support Service Specialist.
She has certification in Autism from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. She also holds a strong interest in learning more about Dementia, especially Dementia in those with Intellectual Disabilities. She has attended many classes, training and conferences regarding her qualifications for this role.
As the Program Manager, her main responsibilities will be overseeing the operations of group homes and day services to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including program development and providing training to staff. Kurth also oversees three Direct Support Supervisors and assists them in making sure everyone’s homes are running as smoothly as they can.
Kurth was born in Rochester, NY but has lived in Waukon since the age of five. “I was 19 years old when I started working with individuals in our community,” Kurth shared. “Working in this field at such a young age, I have been able to show my husband and two girls that just because someone may have a disability, it does not make them any less of a person. I am a strong and firm believer in Mosaic’s mission of Embracing God’s call and advocating for the individuals we support when they can not advocate for themselves.”
“I remember looking at a poster of a person in a wheelchair,” Kurth continued. “On that poster, it says, ‘Do you see me or my disabilities?’. Then around this person who is in a wheelchair, it has words describing who that person is. Words like, ‘brother’, ‘uncle’, ‘friend’, ‘son’, ‘employee’, etc. I think people are often early to judge and don’t take the time to really get to know people and who they are. Working with the individuals we support has really taught me to take the time to get to know someone and to not ‘judge that book by its cover’. I love that I can be the voice for them, if/when they can not, so they can have and live a full life, just like everyone else.”
“We are excited to promote Crystal to her new position as the Program Manager,” said Sonya Middleton, Executive Director for Mosaic in Northern Iowa. “Crystal has the passion for the people we provide services to, and that is ideal to ensure they are getting the best advocacy and individualized care that they deserve. Crystal is an example of what it means to follow Mosaic’s mission of ‘Embracing God’s call, Mosaic relentlessly pursues opportunities that empower people’.”
“We are excited that Crystal has accepted the role of our new Program Manager; her past experience and knowledge is a huge asset to Mosaic,” remarked Kim Waters, Associate Director for Mosaic in Northern Iowa. “Her passion for providing quality services and advocating for others daily demonstrates Mosaic’s Core Values of Faithfulness, Grit, Connection, and Belonging.”
Mosaic in Northern Iowa is part of Mosaic, which is a whole-person healthcare organization reaching across 13 states in 700 communities and providing supports to more than 4,900 people. Locally, Mosaic in Northern Iowa serves 124 individuals between its host home program and group home. Its services empower people with disabilities, mental and behavioral health needs, and autism, as well as aging adults, to live their best life. Mosaic is an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a member of Lutheran Services in America, and a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more about Mosaic in Northern Iowa, visit www.mosaicinfo.org or www.mosaicinfo.org/locations/iowa/northern-ia.
