About Kingston Mosaic
Kingston Mosaic is an arts-based organization with the mission to bring inclusive and creative programming for children with special needs to Kingston. The name Mosaic stands for "Meaningful opportunities, Social awareness, Inclusive Culture". Our organization’s approach is influenced by Waldorf principles, which fosters the development of the child as a whole and integrates the arts (music, visual arts, crafting, outdoors, theatre) as a vital component of learning and well-being.
Since 2015 Mosaic has offered regular PD Day programs, workshops and summer camps. We believe it is important to support families by making these activities open to children with different needs at low cost to foster a diverse and inclusive culture in Kingston.
Mosaic’s long-term vision is to create a school as well as community-based living projects for people with special needs of all ages.
Background
Kingston Mosaic is inspired by the Camphill Movement which is an international network of therapeutic communities for individuals with special needs.
Austrian pediatrician Karl Koening founded the first Camphill community during the Second World War in Scotland for children in need of special care. He envisioned a shared life in a village-like community where the unique traits of every individual would be enriching and meaningful to the whole community. Based on the philosophy of Rudolph Steiner, the Camphill schools use an adapted Waldorf curriculum to maximize the development of the whole child.
Today the Camphill movement has grown to more than 100 diverse communities in 22 countries around the world. They provide residential schools and living and work spaces in rural and urban settings complete with farms, markets, cafes and community centres to promote social renewal in their area. Kingston Mosaic is mentored by Camphill Ontario.
“Let us not do it in words, but in deeds. To serve and not to rule; to help and not to force; to love and not to harm will be our task.”