A Dynamic Mosaic: Our New Partnership With Immigrant Connection Dayton
Published August 31, 2026
A Dynamic Mosaic: Our New Partnership with Immigrant Connection Dayton
People often ask me, “Where did the vision for Mosaic come from?”
For me, the answer begins with my family. They came from Sicily, an island off the coast of Italy, after knowing economic hardship and limited opportunity. My parents and older sisters arrived with little money or formal education and no English. Through hard work and perseverance, they built a life here.
I was the only member of my immediate family born in the United States, which meant I often lived between two worlds. At home, I was the “American child” who spoke English. At school, my friends knew I was different too. After all, who else brought an eggplant sandwich for lunch in the second grade?
Living between cultures taught me to listen, build bridges, and appreciate experiences different from my own. It also helped me form friendships with people from many walks of life. I did not have language for it then, but God was already forming something in me.
I came to know the Lord at fourteen and sensed a call to ministry at fifteen. That calling led me through military service, college, and seminary. During seminary, I interned at a church on the north side of Lexington that became the Kentucky Conference’s first restart congregation. After years of decline and neighborhood change, the congregation welcomed new leadership, new people, and a Hispanic congregation.
The church became The Rock/La Roca United Methodist Church. It was there that I fell in love with the local church and caught a glimpse of the kingdom of God. Its vision was to become “a dynamic mosaic of believers”. That phrase stayed with me and helped shape the launch of Mosaic Church in 2017.
Mosaic’s vision has always included walking alongside people regardless of their background, language, or life experience. One early expression of that calling was our English as a Second Language classes. Although the pandemic brought those classes to an end, the relationships continued, especially with the children and families we came to know.
Our new partnership with Immigrant Connection Dayton is a natural continuation of that story. This ministry will be housed at Mosaic, making our church a trusted place where immigrant neighbors can receive authorized legal assistance, participate in citizenship classes, and find hospitality, prayer, and community. It will become part of the life and mission of our church.
The need for trustworthy assistance is real. Immigration law involves complicated forms, deadlines, and eligibility requirements. People may be trying to reunite with family, renew documents, apply for citizenship, or understand their legal options. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one in twenty Greene County residents was born outside the United States.
The Department of Justice explains that people in immigration court are not provided an attorney by the government. Its fiscal year 2025 representation data shows that 119,519 of 263,133 completed immigration court cases included in the report, about 45 percent, had no representative of record. The complexity of the system can also leave people vulnerable to inaccurate or fraudulent advice. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services warns that unauthorized providers cannot give immigration legal advice.
Immigrant Connection Dayton is a Christian legal clinic and a Department of Justice Recognized Organization. This recognition comes through the federal Recognition and Accreditation Program, which allows qualified nonprofit religious and charitable organizations to practice immigration law through trained representatives accredited by DOJ. The current regulations took effect in 2017 and updated a recognition system that already existed.
DOJ recognition requirements include nonprofit and federal tax exempt status, a focus on serving people with limited incomes, and adequate immigration law knowledge. Accredited representatives must complete legal training, demonstrate competency and good character, and renew their accreditation regularly.
Within its approved scope, Immigrant Connection Dayton can assist with matters such as family petitions, naturalization, renewals of permanent resident status or employment authorization, and adjustment of status. When a matter falls outside that scope, the clinic can help identify an appropriate referral or next step.
Immigrant Connection was founded and is led nationally by Zach Szmara, its executive director. Zach is an ordained Wesleyan minister and a longtime pastor. Here in Dayton, site director Steve Saltar leads the local work.
At its heart, housing this clinic at Mosaic is practical pastoral care. We will provide more than rooms and office space. We will provide a welcoming ministry home where neighbors can receive accurate information, competent assistance, and compassion. The clinic does not promise outcomes or bypass legal requirements. It helps people understand and follow the law. It is another way for Mosaic to love our neighbors and remind them that they do not have to navigate every difficult road alone.
More information will be shared soon about the clinic, an upcoming open house, and ways to pray, offer hospitality, volunteer, and help neighbors connect with authorized legal assistance. Email info@wearemosaic.org if you have any questions.
People often ask me, “Where did the vision for Mosaic come from?”
For me, the answer begins with my family. They came from Sicily, an island off the coast of Italy, after knowing economic hardship and limited opportunity. My parents and older sisters arrived with little money or formal education and no English. Through hard work and perseverance, they built a life here.
I was the only member of my immediate family born in the United States, which meant I often lived between two worlds. At home, I was the “American child” who spoke English. At school, my friends knew I was different too. After all, who else brought an eggplant sandwich for lunch in the second grade?
Living between cultures taught me to listen, build bridges, and appreciate experiences different from my own. It also helped me form friendships with people from many walks of life. I did not have language for it then, but God was already forming something in me.
I came to know the Lord at fourteen and sensed a call to ministry at fifteen. That calling led me through military service, college, and seminary. During seminary, I interned at a church on the north side of Lexington that became the Kentucky Conference’s first restart congregation. After years of decline and neighborhood change, the congregation welcomed new leadership, new people, and a Hispanic congregation.
The church became The Rock/La Roca United Methodist Church. It was there that I fell in love with the local church and caught a glimpse of the kingdom of God. Its vision was to become “a dynamic mosaic of believers”. That phrase stayed with me and helped shape the launch of Mosaic Church in 2017.
Mosaic’s vision has always included walking alongside people regardless of their background, language, or life experience. One early expression of that calling was our English as a Second Language classes. Although the pandemic brought those classes to an end, the relationships continued, especially with the children and families we came to know.
Our new partnership with Immigrant Connection Dayton is a natural continuation of that story. This ministry will be housed at Mosaic, making our church a trusted place where immigrant neighbors can receive authorized legal assistance, participate in citizenship classes, and find hospitality, prayer, and community. It will become part of the life and mission of our church.
The need for trustworthy assistance is real. Immigration law involves complicated forms, deadlines, and eligibility requirements. People may be trying to reunite with family, renew documents, apply for citizenship, or understand their legal options. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one in twenty Greene County residents was born outside the United States.
The Department of Justice explains that people in immigration court are not provided an attorney by the government. Its fiscal year 2025 representation data shows that 119,519 of 263,133 completed immigration court cases included in the report, about 45 percent, had no representative of record. The complexity of the system can also leave people vulnerable to inaccurate or fraudulent advice. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services warns that unauthorized providers cannot give immigration legal advice.
Immigrant Connection Dayton is a Christian legal clinic and a Department of Justice Recognized Organization. This recognition comes through the federal Recognition and Accreditation Program, which allows qualified nonprofit religious and charitable organizations to practice immigration law through trained representatives accredited by DOJ. The current regulations took effect in 2017 and updated a recognition system that already existed.
DOJ recognition requirements include nonprofit and federal tax exempt status, a focus on serving people with limited incomes, and adequate immigration law knowledge. Accredited representatives must complete legal training, demonstrate competency and good character, and renew their accreditation regularly.
Within its approved scope, Immigrant Connection Dayton can assist with matters such as family petitions, naturalization, renewals of permanent resident status or employment authorization, and adjustment of status. When a matter falls outside that scope, the clinic can help identify an appropriate referral or next step.
Immigrant Connection was founded and is led nationally by Zach Szmara, its executive director. Zach is an ordained Wesleyan minister and a longtime pastor. Here in Dayton, site director Steve Saltar leads the local work.
At its heart, housing this clinic at Mosaic is practical pastoral care. We will provide more than rooms and office space. We will provide a welcoming ministry home where neighbors can receive accurate information, competent assistance, and compassion. The clinic does not promise outcomes or bypass legal requirements. It helps people understand and follow the law. It is another way for Mosaic to love our neighbors and remind them that they do not have to navigate every difficult road alone.
More information will be shared soon about the clinic, an upcoming open house, and ways to pray, offer hospitality, volunteer, and help neighbors connect with authorized legal assistance. Email info@wearemosaic.org if you have any questions.