“Kokua’s Mission is to provide citizens with disabilities the support they need to lead full and meaningful lives.”
February 10, 2007 Volume 3, Number 2
FUN THINGS TO DO:
Maya Angelou to speak at Evergreen on Feb 18, Tickets $20 & $25 at the door. Info 867-6220
Ethnic Celebration in Downtown Olympia-Music,dance & crafts.
February 10, 2007, 10am-7pm, Washington Center for Performing Arts Info 709-2678
Antique Fire Apparatus Display, February 23 – 24, 10am-6pm, Free. Puyallup Fair & Events Center, Puyallup. Info 253-377-6800
(There is also a free AviationDisplay going on at the same time.)
Books-Brownies-Beans: Used books,CD’s,games,videos & Bistro w/coffee, brownies & live entertainment. Feb 24, 10am-3pm, Unitarian Universalists, Off Division & 20th, Olympia. Info 357-4080
Paper Airplane Flight School
Learn to build & fly paper airplanes Compete for prizes. Feb 17, 1pm-4pm, $7.00 includes materials.
Info 705-3829
Call us to have your newsletter delivered by e-mail. Contact us: (360) 705- 4665 or e-mail
TEAM LEADER OPENINGS
Two very talented women are leaving Kokua to embark on new adventures. Cassie Baadsgaard (Hoffman Team) is getting married and moving away. Angie Crowell (20th Team) is planning to move back east in February. Best of luck ladies! You have both made lasting contributions and will be sorely missed.
If you are interested in either Team Leader position, please put a letter of intent in Judy’s mailbox as soon as possible. We will accept applications until Friday, February 16th.
EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION AWARDS FOR FEBRUARY 2007
Following are the recipients of the Employee Appreciation awards for this month:
Angie Crowell: for the support you gave to the clients at 20th, for making sure everything is in order before you leave, and for all around excellence as a Team Leader.
44th Ct. Team: for your full engagement in exploring new ways to support your clients.
Fill-In Team: for all of the individuals who have been helping to cover our new client until staffing is in place.
Morgan Smith: for spearheading vacation planning for Gary and Jesse.
WELCOME TO NEW EMPLOYEE MELANIE SMITH
Meet Melanie Smith, a new staff member at 22nd St House. Melanie was born in Maine, but has lived in Washington for over 10 years. She likes reading, music, friends, hiking, quality time with her cat, horticulture, sightseeing, family and learning new things. Welcome to Kokua, Melanie!
VOLUNTEER AND BE A BUDDY
“Volunteering is a sacrifice. One meaning of the word is “to make sacred”. Volunteering is a noble giving-up of our time and effort to help the world evolve into the kind of world we know it can be.”
Help Support adults with disabilities in individual goals, community activities, or to their place of Worship. Contact Cary Richardson, Volunteer and Internship Coordinator 360-705-4665, ext 108 or e-mail at .
KUDOS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS:
Welcome Tom and Kathy Burge. Kathy and Tom are new to this area and were seeking out an opportunity to be of service and felt that the idea of “Being a Buddy” was a meaningful way to give their time. Thank you Kathy and Tom and welcome to our Kokua community.
A gracious thanks goes to Danny Stusser of the Coffee News. Danny has placed an on-going ad to help recruit volunteers. Danny’s gift has been a valuable resource for folks in the community who want to be of service and has linked them with Kokua. Thank you, Danny – your generosity makes a real difference in the lives of those we serve. For information on how to place an ad in the Coffee News, contact Danny Stusser at 360.259.5000 or
A sincere thank you to Don Murphy, Judy Murphy, Linda Murphy, Murat Dabagoglu, Kathy Burge and Tom Burge for your volunteer time and commitment to those you serve and Kokua. Your time makes such a difference in the lives of those you support and we thank you for giving it.
“The future depends on what we do in the present.” ….Gandhi
SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULE
Safety Committee Meetings will be held on Feb 27, Mar 6, Mar 27, April 9, and Apr 24. Meetings will be from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Call Molly Doyle for further information or questions.
UPCOMING DDD TRAININGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO ATTEND…
● Nutrition Matters, Tacoma March 26, 2007 9:30am-12:30pm
● Relationships, Respect & Advocacy, March 7, 2007, 9:30am-3:30pm Bremerton
● Diabetes 101 & Beyond, February 26, 2007 9:00am-12:00pm, Tacoma
Please contact Molly ASAP if you are interested in attending any of these.
Music Education On Wheels (M.E.O.W.) Update 2/07
MEOW had its first two classes at the Olympia Free School on January 14th and February 4th. This class is on Sunday evenings from 6pm – 8pm. Participants may use any instrument provided by MEOW, or may bring or invent their own!
Current students have experimented with the instruments and have selected their favorites:
Bill C – drums, recorder
Mike C – Lyre(harp), bells, recorder
Keith W – “Drop Percussion”
Dean H – Bass guitar
Darren A – Shakers, hand drums
Come on down and join the fun!
Contact Devin with the Support Team for more information about how to participate. Rock On!
Clothing Bank
The Sacred Heart Church is a great resource to get clothes, shoes, and coats. They are located at 906 Bowker Street SE in Lacey, WA. Hours open are Wednesday and Friday from 1pm – 3pm. Items can be dropped off anytime. The great thing about the clothing bank is that it is set up like a store. You can use this resource as often as you like, yet there is a limit of 20 articles per visit.
KOKUA EMPLOYEES:
If you’re feeling weighed down with:Family Problems,Stress/AngerJob Concerns ,Alcohol/Drug Problems, Depression/Anxiety
Parenting, Grief, Relationship ProblemsYou’re covered by:
Employee Assistance Service
Call 493-7867 / COFFEE NEWS ROCKS!
A big thank you to Danny Stusser of Coffee News for supporting our Volunteer Program! Coffee News is a free weekly publication distributed throughout Thurston and Mason Counties. Next time you see a copy of this friendly, coffee-colored publication, give it a read.
Danny is a very community-oriented business owner with a very generous heart. Thank you Danny!
What’s Happening at Kokua?
Cecelia M is getting out and about again, and is now much like her old self again after her accident last October.
Robert B is now in his new apartment. He’s getting phone and cable TV hooked up soon.
Marcie W hasbeen hanging out with her good friend Maryann lately and having a really good time.
Becky C has been going on her walks around the Westside of Olympia.
Sue W has been visiting her apartment office on Fridays.
Bill C’s job at Wal-Mart is going very well. Good job, Bill!
Dean H. purchased a bass guitar and is participating in the Kokua music group.
Jeff D and Gary W have been busy reorganizing their furniture and belongings at 20th. Gary has been working with Morgan and David Bacon planning a train trip to Disneyland in early May. Jeff has been shopping with Arika and having a blast! Shop till you drop, Jeff!
The guys at 44th Court have been having a great time exploring the community and helping out around the house. Last week they went to Starbucks and had coffee together and listened to music. They’re looking forward to more fun around town.
Gene W from the Hoffman house celebrated his 81st birthday on February 1st with a party at his home. A great time was had by all. He wants to thank everyone for coming. Happy Birthday, Gene!Bill C spent Superbowl weekend with his brother and had a fun time. It was relaxing for him to get away. Jack D and Gene W have been planning a cruise to Alaska. Bill has also been planning a trip to “somewhere warm” for next winter. Ed W. has been working on different avenues to sell his paintings. He and his C.R. staff Brenda took pictures of almost all of his paintings to make pamphlets or to put on the internet. He recently expressed an interest in working with animals, so if anyone has any ideas or would like to help him focus this interest, please call him or staff at 352-6354.
Jack, Gene, Bill and Ed are going to have a yard sale in March. If anyone has any items they would like to donate, they can drop the items off at 3037 Hoffman Rd SE, Olympia or call 352-6354.
MID-WINTER LEADERSHIP RETREAT
Team Leaders, Support Team members, and Service Coordination Team members – mark your calendars! We have set the date for the annual Mid-Winter Retreat. The retreat will be March 8th from 9-4. We haven’t chosen a location yet. Attendees will receive a packet of information about a week prior to the retreat.
KOKUA KUDOS:
“Everyone appreciates being appreciated. Try to catch people red-handed in the act of doing something right – and praise them for it.”
Big thanks go to Amanda Cordero for being so flexible and adjusting your schedule to cover the house. Appreciation also goes to Lavenia Marles for her willingness to go the extra mile in working extra shifts. Lastly – a big thank you to the rest of the 22nd team as they help break in and orientate the new team leader, Rebecca Dallas. From Rose Hahn
I would like to give kudos to the following:
• To Wendy and Valarie for their continuing hard work through stress and change and for being so attentive and understanding.
• To Bob, Amanda and Lisa for being so on-top of their game and following through with all that I throw at them.
• To Franny and LaKeisha for being so flexible with your schedules and helping us make a smooth transition.
• To Jill for always having a great amount of documentation and for helping me with various projects.
• To Kevin Preston, Juleene Jenkins, Adam Cline, Andy Wedlund, Morgan Smith, Arika Boutwell-Kilen and Sara Chafe for helping with Shawn M. I appreciate you all so much for your assistance, patience and flexibility.
• To Judy Cline for all of her continuing work and help with Shawn M. You are a life saver.....and not scary at all!
• A vocational vendor visiting 44th Court called the Executive Director to praise the quality of the staff at the gentlemens’ home. She said that staff were very “tuned in” to the gentlemens’ needs. She said that the caring and professionalism displayed by the staff was “very refreshing!”. Good job team!
•Diane Lamb, Kokua’s Business Operations Manager, is known around the office as Kokua’s “reluctant techie”. Tacked onto her job description under “other duties as assigned”, was Diane’s responsibility for Kokua’s computers. When Diane first came, we didn’t have very many computers. It has been Diane’s fortunate (or unfortunate?) responsibility to usher Kokua into the 21st century. Now we have a backup storage thingamajig, many more computers, wi-fi and soon, a web page. Thank you, Diane – you’re amazing! From Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti
•Green Apples are sour, with caramel they’re great; Happy Birthday Valarie, You’re 28!
• Thank you Angie Crowell from the staff at 20th. We will miss you very much and thanks for being such a wonderful team leader! Good luck to you and may a light shine upon every path you take!
• A huge thank you goes to the Support Team for sharing your office for the last several months. I’ve learned much from each of you and you have all shown me what it means to “Support” those we serve. Thank you for your generosity. Also, thank you to Diane – I don’t know how Kokua would run without you. You are a blessing to all of us and are much appreciated. Cary Richardson
• Kudos to Andy Wedlund: thank you for taking on projects and responsibility and doing what needs to be done. Your hard work and dedication are greatly appreciated. To the 44th Court staff: you guys are awesome! Thanks for all you do! Also welcome to Desiree – We’re glad to have you! From Hana Greer
• Thanks to Morgan Smith, Lynn Royal, Kevin Preston, Lee Welch and Sara Chafe for all of your help with fill-in. Kudos to Morgan Smith and Betina Lucca for being awesome. From Cassie Baadsgaard
KOKUA COOKS
This recipe was submitted by Judy Cline. She brought it to a potluck brunch and everyone thought it was delicious. There were no leftovers!
EGG PUFF
Preheat oven to 350◦. Spray a 9x13” pan with non-stick spray
In large bowl, stir together:
10 eggs, beaten until yellow
1 pint cottage cheese
1 lb Jack or Cheddar cheese, grated
1 can chopped green chilies
½ cup melted margarine, cooled until warm
Stir together with a fork to blend:
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
½ cup flour
Add dry ingredients slowly into egg mixture, stirring as you go until it is all mixed in. Pour into pan and bake uncovered about 45 minutes or till center is set. Cool about 10 minutes before cutting.
POWER COOKING YOUR WAY TO BETTER HEALTH
From an article by Rachel Meltzer, Prevention Magazine
Buying healthy food is the first step toward a better diet. Here are some nutrition-enhancing prep tips that can insure that you get the most nutrition from that food.
- Heating lycopene-rich tomatoes instigates a chemical change that makes the heart-healthy nutrient much easier for your body to absorb.
- High temperatures can destroy allinase, garlic’s most important cancer-fighting and immunity boosting enzyme. After chopping, let crushed garlic stand for 10-15 minutes before adding to a hot pan. This allows the garlic to generate compounds that blunt the damaging effects of heat.
- If cooking with tomatoes, apples, or lemons, heat in a cast-iron pot or skillet to spike the amount of iron you can absorb by more than 2,000%.
- Adding avocado, olive oil, nuts, olives or another healthy fat source to red, green, orange and yellow fruits and veggies increases the amount of fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, E and K your body can absorb. The fat acts as a transporter for them. These nutrients boost vision, improve immunity and protect against stroke and osteoporosis.
- Try making homemade chicken soup with on-the-bone chicken. Add a hint of lemon juice, vinegar or tomato to the mix to up the calcium content by 64%. The slightly acidic stock dissolves the calcium from the bones more easily.
- When slicing and dicing fresh produce, cut large pieces to help retain more nutrients, which help bolster immunity. Lots of small pieces expose more of the food to light and oxygen, which leaches nutrients. Also, leaving the peel on fruits and veggies when possible helps retain nutrients and can add fiber to your diet. Instead, scrub with a vegetable brush under cold, running water.
Avoid an Accident: Why defensive driving is so important.
According to the National Safety Council, 77% of all accidents are attributed to driver error. If you become a good, defensive driver, you can cut that percent significantly. Here are 12 important elements of defensive driving:
- Allow enough space ahead. Many accidents can be avoided by simply following at a safe distance rather than tailgating.
- Look ahead. Scan the road and surrounding areas at least a few hundred yards ahead for potential hazards. Look on both sides, watching for approaching vehicles, pedestrians or animals that might enter your path.
- Have an escape route. Using your mirrors, be aware of positions of vehicles beside and behind you and decide where you could maneuver safely to avoid an accident.
- Don’t assume anything about other drivers. Be considerate, but look out for yourself. Plan your movements anticipating the worst-case scenario.
- Keep your speed down. Posted speed limits apply to ideal conditions – you’re responsible for decreasing your speed to match the conditions.
- Adjust for hazards. By slowing down or speeding up slightly, or by moving to a different lane position may allow you to avoid a potentially hazardous situation.
- Avoid frequent lane changes. Keep right unless passing. Check blind spot before making a lane change.
- Use your lights and signals. Lights on in dim daylight, rain, or other low visibility weather conditions makes your vehicle easier to be seen by other drivers.
- Keep a proper driving position – upright with both hands on the wheel. This puts you in a better position to make sudden avoidance maneuvers.
- Wear your seat belt. It’s the best thing you can do to protect yourself.
- Cut out distraction. Minimize eating, drinking CD-changing and cell phone conversations – save them for when you’re safely stopped.
- Realize that there are real people in the other vehicles – family members, friends, co-workers, or loved ones. Aggressive, irresponsible driving on your part could put your life and the lives of others in danger. Defend your life and theirs.
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. “Well,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today. “ She did and had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmmm,” she said, “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today.” She did and had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw she had only one hair on her head. “Well,” she said, “Today I’m going to wear my hair in a ponytail.” She did and had her best day so far!
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. “Yahoo!” she exclaimed, “I don’t have to fix my hair today!”
Bottom line: Attitude is everything. The kind of life you will have isn’t determined by what happens to you, but by your reaction to what happens to you. Have a Great Day and remember….Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
TEAM GOALS FOR 2007