“THE KOKUA SPIRIT” “Kokua’s Mission is to provide citizens with disabilities the support they need to lead full and meaningful lives.” www.kokuaservices.com October 10, 2008 FUN THINGS TO DO: Jekyll & Hyde’s Haunted Yard 2325 Friendly Grove Rd, Olympia Oct 21-31, dusk-10pm Bring donations for Thurston County Food Bank Info: 352-2088 Halloween House, 520 North St SE, Tumwater Oct 29-31 Free. Donations accepted for Food Bank (5 cans will be entered in raffle of one of props from the yard.) Rutledge Corn Maze – Amazing Money Maze 302 93rd Ave SE, Tumwater (exit 99) Thru October Info 357-3700 Lattin’s Country Cider Mill & Farm 9402 Rich Rd SE, Olympia 9a-5:30p Apple festival weekends, horsedrawn wagon rides, pumpkin patch, corn maze, haunted house & haunted barn. Info 491-7328 Schilter Family Farm 141 Nisqually Cut-off Road, Olympia 10-6 daily. Hayrides thru pumpkin patch, petting farm, hay maze, pumpkin cannon, corn maze. Info 459-4023 Thomas Family Haunted House 7024 Glen Terra Ct SE (off Mullen Rd), Lacey Oct 31, 6p-10p. Info: 870-6688 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Contact us to have your newsletter delivered by e-mail. Contact us: (360) 705- 4665 or email sally@kokuaservices.com Volume 4, Number 10 WHAT’S HAPPENING AT KOKUA? Doreen L at the 54th House is enjoying her new exercise bike. Cecilia C is using her e-mail more and more. Freida B is adjusting to her new housemates. She says she loves it here and really enjoys living in this house. Submitted by Linda McGrath & Brenda Wilson Maggie P and Manuela C recently celebrated their birthdays. Manuela has also received long-awaited parts for her power wheelchair. Maggie is getting ready to plan an overnight outing. Cecelia M is planning her birthday party and is also excited about Halloween. She has already begun decorating to make the 22nd house scarily festive! Bev G is the proud owner of a new TV. (FYI – she is interested in selling her old, working TV with remote – contact her at the 22nd house if you’re interested.) Bev also is excited anticipating going to see her friend Joan. Jesse W is really excited with Halloween coming up soon. He plans to be a vampire, with lots of fangs and makeup and a cape. James M will be putting out his decorations soon and supervising staff as to where they go, of course. Dean H has been especially sneaky lately, coming up behind staff and surprising them! Dean will also be picking out the treats, since he is so good at tricks! Darren A has been happy and content with his life and has been radiating with smiles and hugs. Darren has made great progress expressing his feelings in a respectful way! He enjoyed going to a Saturday dance, going on bus rides, and going on several trips and car rides with the Resource Team and his staff during the summer months. Submitted by Fia Faatoafe and Teresa Mettler Danny C celebrated his 40th birthday with a party in September. His mother and brother attended and everyone had a great time!. Thank you to everyone who made Danny’s birthday special. Charlie B went to the Summer’s End Car Show on September 20th. “I had a good time,” he said. “It was fun!” John C has been going on walks with his housemates in the community. He walks well independently and has more stamina than everyone! Carpenter Hills house would like to say “WELCOME!” to two new fill-in staff: Susan and Brenda. We’re excited to have you and thank you for your help! From Hana Greer Rodney O is recovering in Evergreen Nursing Home from having surgery. The team at Angela House misses him so much and wishes him a speedy recovery so he can come home soon. Christine R came home from the hospital on September 27, 2008. She is doing well and becoming herself again. Welcome home, Chris! It’s so good to have you home! Gary W is recovering from recent oral surgery and seems to be doing very well. Jeff D went to the coast to spend some time with his sister and see his dog Bouncer. Jeff went on the bus to Aberdeen, where his sister picked him up and took him home to Westport. Both guys are enjoying learning to cook and learning about nutrition with Carol. Recently they both learned how to make pancakes. From David Raddatz The move to the Chambers St. house went very well and all the guys are adjusting wonderfully. Bill C has a new job at Target. He works two days a week. Gene W and Jack D are both still working for Morningside. Ed W. has just started his art class for the season. He is already working on his second painting. Julie C went to a Neil Diamond concert and had a really good time. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 MACY’S FALL FUNDRAISER: SHOP 4 A CAUSE Macy’s “Shop 4 a Cause” fundraiser was a great success. Thank you to Bennilyn Deocares, Rose Hahn, Diane Porter, Geoff Brown, Jenny Bona, Ashly Martin and Diane Grossman who helped sell coupons. An extra special thanks to Dianne Grossman who accompanied me at Macy’s on the day of the event to sell coupons for several hours. The $275.00 raised will benefit the volunteer Program. Sincere thanks from Cary Richardson. KOKUA’S COOKING CLASS We held our first cooking class September 24 at Saint Mark’s Church. The church is a bright, clean, roomy and wonderful new space. Thanks to Jane Spaid for working with Kokua so we can have our classes there. Attending the fun, informative & busy first class were: Kim R, Laurie H, Jeff D, Gary W, Scott B, Cecilia C, Lorene L and Becky C. Everyone learned to make blueberry pancakes. Thanks to all staff who helped make this class a success. Here is the recipe we made: BLUEBERRY PANCAKES (Makes 9 pancakes) 1 c pancake mix ¾ c water ½ c blueberries (or fruit of your choice) 1 tblsp cooking oil In a medium size bowl, mix pancake mix & water. Put a little oil on a griddle or in frying pan & heat. Pour ¼ c batter on griddle to cook. Drop about 5 berries on the pancake. When bubbles form in the pancake and pop, turn over to cook the second side. The next class will be Oct. 22 and we’ll make pumpkin muffins! KOKUA EMPLOYEES: If you’re feeling weighed down with: Family Problems, Stress, Anger, Job Concerns, Alcohol/ Drug Problems, Depression/ Anxiety, Parenting, Grief, or Relationship Problems, you’re covered by Employee Assistance Service Call 493-7867 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Ron C is excited about Halloween. He’s decorated his and his neighbors’ apartments. He may have the local paper come out to take pictures. Sue W has a Disneyland trip scheduled for November and she is very excited about going. Lots is going on at the 31st St House. Laurie H has a birthday this month. She is very excited about celebrating that and decorating for Halloween. Laurie had a fantastic breakfast with Roger and is looking forward to more. She went to MELE and MEOW and enjoys seeing her friends and making music. Laurie enjoys her cooking class. Kim R has a birthday this month also – one week before her roommate. Kim is very excited about her new job. She has been attending MELE and MEOW and enjoys it very much. Kim has been learning kitchen safety and cooking. Denise H has also been going to MEOW and MELE and REALLY likes it. She has been working and swimming with her mom. On Wednesday she enjoys spending the afternoon with her family. Jenny D has been record shopping and figuring out her Dr. Phil tape she would like to record. She is practicing using her communication device. Although it is still frustrating, she is getting the hang of it. She has been emailing Kokua staff and is anxious for a volunteer. Michael C has found a place where there are 35 Arabian horses. They have kindly agreed to let Michael come regularly to visit, groom and ride the horses! The horses all seemed to really like Michael – some giving him kisses. He had to share his hat with another! He has been wanting to ride horses for months. Mike would like to thank the owner Joyce and his wonderful job coach Regina for this great opportunity. Keith W has been able to visit with his parents this month quite a bit since their return. He enjoys getting out and rides along anywhere someone would like to take him. He is getting better all of the time with his keyboard on his Dynavox. Paul J went on an overnight trip to Seattle for a DDD Survey Analyzation. He has also been attending several different forums on Sunday mornings before church downtown. He is showing interest in starting a new book about Morningside. Joe F has been working regularly. He had an illness that set him back, but he’s going strong again now. He is planning for a trip to Vegas when he has enough money saved up. EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION AWARDS Following is the list of recipients of the Employee Appreciation Awards for September, 2008. Kim Stewart – You are recognized for your organizational skills and oversight of the necessary paperwork as the new Team Leader at Chambers. We appreciate the exceptional job you are doing. Thank you! Yvonne Ramos – You are appreciated for your flexibility and being such a positive team player. Your approach to work and life is inspiring. You are amazing! Franny King – You are recognized for your willingness to oversee the 54th Team until they have a new team leader. Kokua appreciates your willingness to step in and keep the house running smoothly. You have done a great job! 25th Team is recognized for their ability to pull together and make sure the clients’ needs are taken care of to the highest level. Thank you for upholding Kokua’s philosophy by providing quality care to those you support. Fantastic job! KOKUA’S MUSIC PROGRAM (MELE) HAS HUGE TURNOUT MELE, Kokua’s music program, has become a very popular activity on Thursday afternoons. The meeting on September 11 was attended by 15 clients and 12 staff members. Clients in attendance were: Jesse W, Dean H, Keith W, Mike C, Bill C, Jeff D, Kim R, Denise H, Christine R, Derek E, Maggie P, Danny C, Charlie B, John C and Rodney O. Thanks to staff members for their assistance: Sara, Emily, Andy, Oline, Ann, Arthur, Kevin, Devin, Diane, Andrea, Bruce & Jessica. FLU SHOT CLINIC Group Health is having two flu shot clinics at their Olympia Medical Center this year. If you have Kokua’s Group Health Options medical insurance, you can attend one of these clinics and receive a flu shot at no charge to you. The clinics will be held on November 8 and November 15 (both are Saturdays) from 10am – 3pm. The address of the Group Health Olympia Medical Center is 700 Lilly Rd NE – just turn onto Lilly Road from Martin Way, go about ½ mile and turn right into the medical center parking lot. NEW FACES AT KOKUA We are happy to welcome three new employees! Brenda Clement, who will be on the 31st House team was born in Spokane. She enjoys art, specifically watercolor, walking and creative writing. Rebecca Nigh, who is also on the 31st team, was born in Longview, WA. She enjoys hiking and reading. Susan Savard will be a member of the Carpenter Hills Team. She was born in Portland, OR and enjoys traveling, her grandchildren, knitting, reading and country dancing. Welcome to all of you – we’re glad you’re with us! KOKUA KUDOS “Everyone appreciates being appreciated. Try to catch people red-handed in the act of doing something right – and praise them for it.” Kudos to all the people who work so hard at the office, especially Sally Lewis and Diane Lamb. Also, kudos to Franny King for taking over the team leader job at 54th temporarily - you are doing a great job! From Brenda Wilson To all the ladies at 54th – clients and staff – what an ace team you are! From Franny King Kudos to Rolf Eidsath for going above and beyond Team Leader on-call duties! Welcome back Meg – I’m looking forward to having you back on the 22nd team! Thank you to Ann B, Amanda C, Nicole E, Mandi C, Gina G, Amy G, Meg M & Jessica L for your help filling open shifts! Kudos to the 22nd team for continuing to do an awesome job! From Melanie Smith To all the 25th Team – thanks for being here and all the good work you do! Also to Chrystal – thanks for joining us! From Rolf Eidsath Thanks to Dominique Gonzalez for such great communication about all the newly hired folks you send my way! I really appreciate your efforts to help us work as a team when it comes to getting people started with training. Also, to Sean Bonneprise – thanks for being such a great coworker! Your knowledge and experience are so beneficial to the agency! Kudos to Crystal Pogue and Nicky Crow for doing such a great job with Med Disposal! You’re awesome! Special thanks to Molly Doyle for continuing to provide excellent HIV trainings for our staff. We’re lucky to have you as a resource! From MaryAnn Yarber Kudos to Fia Faatoafe, our Team Leader at the 5th Ave house, for creative staffing in a crisis situation. From your team Thanks to Cary Richardson for making people feel special every day! You’re pretty fantastic yourself! Anonymous My Hero Award goes to Hana Greer and Candice Garman for the super job they did deep cleaning (upholstery even) the Chevy van. Thank you! Your work made a huge difference and is appreciated by clients and staff! From Diane Lamb Kudos to everyone who has helped out with fill-in at the Carpenter Hills Loop house – it hasn’t always been easy and your compassion and willingness to help are greatly appreciated! Thank you to Kevin & Devin for helping Charlie and Danny get to MELE each week. Thank you Val for your insight and for listening and observing. You are a blessing; we really should clone you. Thank you to Andria for all that you do and for your scheduling prowess. You’ve so much on your plate and together we always find a solution. And finally, a standing ovation to the Carpenter Hills Team. You all have dealt with everything that’s come your way with grace and professionalism. THANK YOU! From Hana Greer Thanks to Diane Lamb for always being on top of things and being available when needed. To Sally Lewis – for always making sure employees get their insurance documents put in on time, so we can have insurance. To Andria Membreno – for all your help with the schedule and trying to find fill-in for our house. You are greatly appreciated. To Crissy Thompson – thanks for always being there for the house and the clients. We appreciate all the hard work you do – A BIG THANK YOU from the Angela House. To the team of Angela House – What can I say, girls! I’m so blessed to have a wonderful team. I just want to thank you all for everything that you’ve done and are still doing. I’ve said it once and I’ll keep saying it – “Angela Team – You Totally Rock!” Thanks for being there for the clients! Angela House would like to welcome Anne Hang to our team. Also we’d like to thank Gretchen Burden, Amanda Cordero and Jessica Lay for being able to fill in here. From Bea Rios Kudos to Bruce Walton for all your help and advice and thanks to Rose Hahn for your patience. From David Raddatz CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 BENEFIT TO BE HELD FOR LEFT FOOT ORGANICS FARM On October 18th, 2008, a benefit dinner and auction will be held to benefit training programs at Left Foot Organics Farm. The training programs assist youth and individuals with disabilities. Dean H and Ron C from Kokua have jobs they love at Left Foot Organics. The benefit will be held at the Thurston County Fairgrounds Expo Center on Carpenter Rd SE in Lacey at 6:00pm. Tickets are $45 and includes a buffet dinner served by Pellegrino’s Catering. For more info or to make your reservation, call Ann at 754-1849 or e-mail to info@leftfootorganics.org. RECRUIT NEW EMPLOYEES FOR KOKUA AND EARN $$ Kokua is still giving out bonuses for referrals. Here’s how it works. Refer (or give an application to) people who would make great Kokua team members. Have them call Kokua (705-4665 ext 105 to reach Dominique) and say that you’ve referred them. A referral form will be completed at hire. A referral form must be completed and in the new employee’s file for you to receive the bonus. If your referral is hired and completes the 90 day probation period, you will receive a $50.00 cash bonus. If your referral remains a Kokua employee for a year, you will receive a $100.00 cash bonus. INTERCITY TRANSIT MAY RAISE RATES Due to rising fuel costs, IT fares may increase on Jan 1, 2009. This will be the first increase since July 2001. Proposed rates follow: Per Daily Monthly Ride Pass Pass Adult $1 $2 $30 Youth $1 $2 $15 Reduced $.50 $1 $15 Dial-a-Lft $1 $2 $30 EXTRA HELP NEEDED Kokua Employees: As many of you are aware, some teams are very short staffed right now. Anyone who is interested in extra hours and is willing to get trained in other homes, contact Andria at 705-4665 ext 120. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 I want to thank all of the 5th Ave staff for working extra hours fill-in for the empty shift at Darren’s home. The extra time and effort that you all put in for Darren and his safety is appreciated. From Fia Faatoafe Kudos to both Independent Living teams for keeping clients’ independence first and foremost and for helping in the progress of I.L. You guys are doing a great job – keep it up! From Sean Bonneprise Thanks to all of the people who have attended the craft classes. We had four classes in September and plan to continue throughout the winter months. I would also like to thank staff that have assisted during the classes – you are great! From Carol McAuley Kudos to Andria Membreno for her extra time and energy helping with 8th Avenue Advocates. To Cary Richardson for her help and her files! To Carol McAuley for her help with 8th Avenue Advocates and crafting and cooking classes with clients. And finally to Amanda Cordero for filling in with independent living! From Diane Porter I am truly grateful & thankful to the many wonderful, resourceful and talented persons that work for Kokua. You have made the lives of those you serve richer with your presence. Many thanks for going that extra mile. From Andria Membreno I’d like to thank Sarah Jensen for covering our graveyard shift and doing all the extras with out ladies. Robin Devries is now delegated and is picking up some much needed open shift coverage. Yeah, Sarah and Robin! Welcome to Rebecca and Heidi to our 31st team. Meg Martin is helping to fill-in for open swing shifts. Thank you so much. All of our 31st ladies are happy that 28th is sacrificing Elke & Teri for swing coverage, too. Thanks to Tracy Baum at 28th. If anyone needs hours, let me know – we have swing and graves open. Kudos to Lynn Royal – we don’t know what we would do without you! From Oline Horton Kudos to the Clearfield team for all of your help and support. From Candice Lindley Major kudos to our dedicated team leader Candice Lindley. She has gone to battle for our clients – she knows how to get things solved and done. She has worked 27 days straight without a day off. We would like her to know that we as a team appreciate everything she is doing for the clients and the team. Thanks for your hard work and dedication to Kokua and Clearfield Court. From your team members THE VOLUNTEER & INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IS GROWING! We welcome Cyrena Parker and Julie Propp! Cyrena is an intern from South Puget Sound Community College. She will be helping Andria with the timesheets and MaryAnn to create new employee training files. We are happy to have Cyrena because she has already started both tasks and is doing a fantastic job. We also welcome Julie Propp. Julie was born in Laramie Wyoming. Her interests are seeing her grandchildren, spending time with her wonderful husband, quilting, reading and volunteering. Julie is helping Rose and Bennilyn in the Financial office. Welcome Julie! Volunteer Shannon Carroll met Sara B on September 27 and they hit it off. Shannon and Sara will be going to the BFG play together and then – who knows? Thank you to our volunteers Dianne Grossman, Don Murphy, Judy Murphy, Linda Murphy, Kitty Center, Pat Clark, Tammy Stark, Terry Steinbrugger, Sandy Wilson, Elisabeth Schafer, Shannon Carroll, Cyrena Parker, and Julie Propp, who help carry out our mission in the most selfless way possible. The time you volunteer is greatly appreciated. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“The nice thing about teamwork is that you always have others on your side.” Margaret Carty TAKING CARE OF YOU: EARTH’S EASIEST EXERCISE From TopHealth Newsletter Walking can add years to your life and life to your years. It’s easy, you don’t need to join a club or have special gear. Walking: 1. Conditions your heart and lungs and helps your body use oxygen more efficiently. 2. Reduces risk of some forms of cancer and osteoporosis, helps with the battle of the bulge and may help diabetics reduce or eliminate medications. 3. Can burn about as many calories per mile as jogging, but is easier on joints and muscles. 4. Lessens stress, lightens depression, helps you sleep better and have a better mental outlook. 5. Is easier to stick to than any other exercise. So put on some sturdy walking shoes and go. You’ll feel better for it! NEWS FROM THE 8TH AVENUE ADVOCATES The 8th Avenue Advocates group enjoyed lunch and a movie at the Capitol Mall Cinemas on September 13. In attendance were Paul J, Doreen L, Cecelia C, Michael C, John W, and staff. They saw “House Bunny” and had lunch in the Food Court. Upcoming meeting dates are: October 18, 2008, and November 22, 2008. All scheduled meetings are at Kokua from 11:00am1:00pm. Other Saturday events and weekday gatherings are to be announced. We are working towards having a planned calendar of events so schedules, staff and transportation can be coordinated in advance. October events will include a lunch at Denny’s. At the last 8th Avenue Advocates meeting, Manuela C asked why Kokua doesn’t have automatic doors. As a group we are working towards addressing the answers and finding solutions. At the next meeting we will be drafting a letter to the Board. We received an estimate of the cost and Patrick M volunteered to research perhaps getting assistance from local groups. We are also researching fundraising events and grants. Perhaps the new year will bring new doors and greater INDEPENDENCE for our clients. Special thanks to: Jeanette L. for calling regarding upcoming events, Andria M and Cary R for the extra help and hard work with transitions in 8th Avenue Advocates staff, and Carol M for helping with outings and events. Please feel free to call Diane Porter, 705-4665 ext 130 with comments, questions or needs. KOKUA GROUP WILL BE ATTENDING “BFG” PERFORMANCE FIXING THE HEADSTONE Two men were walking home after a Halloween party and decided to take a shortcut through the cemetery just for laughs. Right in the middle of the cemetery they were startled by a tap-taptapping noise coming from the misty shadows. Trembling with fear, they found an old man with a hammer and chisel, chipping away at one of the headstones. “Holy cow, Mister,” one of them said, “You scared us half to death—we thought you were a ghost! What are you doing working here so late at night?” “Those fools!” the old man grumbled. “They misspelled my name!” The Olympia Family Theater has gifted Kokua with 20 tickets to see the“BFG (Big Friendly Giant)” play at SPSCC on October 10 and 11. Last year the theater invited all the agencies that serve adults with disabilities to a few shows. Kokua was the only agency that supported clients in going to the productions. This year the Olympia Family Theater shared that they did not ask the other like agencies and just gave Kokua the coupons. When Devin and Cary met with Jane Noitz, she shared her gratitude with Kokua for helping them to carry out their mission of getting our clients up to last years performance. A huge thank you goes to Devin Giles from the Resource Team for organizing things last year and taking on this project again this year. Kokua sincerely thanks the Olympia Family Theater for their generosity. It will allow Paul J, Mike C, Keith W, Bill M, Jeff D, Gary W and staff to attend the Friday night performance. On Saturday, Manuela C and staff, Beverly G and volunteer Pat C, Sara B and volunteer Shannon C, Charlie B and Candice G, and Bill C and volunteer Judy M will be attending. The play, “BFG” is hugely popular. It’s a story told by Sophie, a lonely orphan girl who meets a 24 ft tall giant. When Sophie hears that the “chiddler chewing” giants are “flush-bunking” off to England to “swollomp some human beans”, she decides that she and the BFG must stop them. Come and share in this unforgettable adventure, as Sophie and her friend the BFG become heroes and BFF’s (Best Friends Forever). The Olympia Family Theater is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Their business address is 1417 Brawne Ave NW, Olympia 98502 and phone is 570-1638. KOKUA COOKS Fall is apple season in Washington. Fragrant, crisp, new crop apples are a real delight. The Farmer’s Market and Lattin’s Cider Mill are two great places to sample the wide array of fresh apples available. Here are some easy recipes to try. APPLE OATMEAL (Serves 4) 3 c apple juice ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 ½ c quick oats ½ c chopped apple ¼ c maple syrup ¼ c raisins ¼ c chopped walnuts 4 tbsp fat free vanilla yogurt Combine apple juice and cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stir in oats, apple, maple syrup & raisins. Reduce heat & cook till most of the juice is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Fold in walnuts. Top each bowl with a tablespoon of yogurt. APPLE PANCAKE (Serves 2-4) 2 tart cooking apples, peeled, cored and sliced in ¼” slices ¼ c granulated sugar 2 tsp ground cinnamon 3 eggs, beaten and at room temperature ½ tsp salt ½ c flour ½ c milk, room temperature ¼ tsp vanilla extract 7 tblsp butter Preheat oven to 425°. Place oven rack in middle rack of your oven. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; set aside. In a large bowl, combine eggs, salt, flour, milk & vanilla; beat until batter is smooth; set aside. In a large heavy ovenproof frying pan or a cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt butter, tilting pan to cover sides. Add apples and sprinkle with sugar & cinnamon mixture. Stir and let cook 5-7 minutes; remove from heat. Pour prepared batter over apples into baking pan. Place pan in preheated oven and bake 20 minutes or till puffed above sides of pan and lightly browned (it may puff irregularly in the center); remove from oven. Remove pancake from pan by flipping upside down onto a serving platter (apples & cinnamon will be on top). Once out of the oven, the pancake will begin to deflate. Cut in wedges to serve and transfer to serving plates. APPLE CAKE 1 ½ c oil 1 c chopped nuts 3 eggs 1 ½ tsp soda 2 tsp vanilla 1 tsp salt 3 ½ c chopped apples ½ tsp baking powder 1 c coconut 1 c raisins, cooked for a while to make soft 2 c white sugar 3 c flour Combine all ingredients; mix well. Bake in a greased & floured tube pan 325° for 1 hour, 15 minutes or in 3 loaf pans for 35-40 minutes.