Our programs are intentionally designed to bring together young people across lines of religious, racial, cultural, socioeconomic, and political difference. These connections challenge assumptions, build empathy, and prepare youth to lead in a complex, pluralistic world.
To prepare youth for open and personal conversations about identity and values, we begin by building a community of care. Participants must feel safe, seen, and respected in order to build trust.
We create this foundation through shared experiences that foster connection and understanding. Intentional group norms and skilled facilitation help ensure every voice is heard and valued.
Connections Across Divides
At Mosaic, we believe that relationships are at the heart of transformation. By connecting youth from diverse communities and belief systems, we help them move beyond surface-level understanding. Through structured dialogue and shared experiences, Mosaic participants learn how to disagree with respect, discover common ground, and build friendships that defy societal divisions.
A Multi-Modal Approach
Mosaic takes a multi-modal approach to interreligious and intercultural learning, always placing experience at the center. We use David Kolb’s experiential learning cycle as our foundational method, while incorporating elements of project-based learning and reflective practice.
The experiential learning cycle relies on four major components:
- Experience
- Reflection
- Transfer
- New Knowledge
Experiences are the foundation of our programming.
These moments may include:
- Staff-led lessons
- Game-based learning activities
- Hands-on discovery where youth uncover new ideas for themselves
While these experiences are important, they’re just the beginning. True learning happens when we take time to process those moments.
Following each experience, we pause to reflect.
This intentional time allows youth to consider:
- What they observed
- How they communicated effectively (or not)
- What they might change if they were to try the activity again
Reflection helps participants internalize what they’ve learned, making it easier to apply those insights in their everyday lives—whether at home, in school, or within their communities.
Through reflection, participants connect their experiences to real-life situations.
Through reflection, participants connect their experiences to their everyday lives—at home, at school, and in their communities. They also begin to understand how to use what they’ve learned to build inclusive spaces and navigate difference.
Mosaic doesn’t just support individual growth; we equip youth to become bridge-builders. Our participants return to their families, faith communities, and schools with new tools for leading conversations, fostering understanding, and creating belonging.
The Learning Cycle in Practice
This ongoing cycle of experience, reflection, transfer, and new knowledge deepens over time. Each moment of learning builds on the last, encouraging curiosity, self-awareness, and growth. At Mosaic, we know that the most impactful learning happens when we are challenged, reflective, and having fun.
Why Diversity Matters
Mosaic exists to bring youth together across lines of difference because we believe that diverse relationships are essential to a more just and compassionate society. In a world that often rewards division, we teach young people to listen deeply, honor difference, and lead with empathy. Exposure to a wide range of perspectives expands their worldview and prepares them for thoughtful leadership.
