/ “THE KOKUASPIRIT”
“Kokua’s Mission is to provide citizens with disabilities the support they need to lead full and meaningful lives.”
July10, 2008 Volume 4, Number 7
FUN THINGS TO DO:
- Capitol Lakefair, 7/16-20
- Oregon Trail Days - July 25, 26 & 27, 2008, Tenino
- Thurston Co. Fair, 7/30-8/3
- Windriders Kite Festival, Grayland Beach, July 11–13.Kite-flying with demonstrations, games and an auction. More info: call 360-268-9422 or visit
- Wolf Haven Wildlife Festival
10 am-6pm,July 12Take a mini tour, food vendors, shop for handmade items.Local entertainment .Wolf Haven, TeninoMore info call (360) 264-4695 x 217 or
- Lacey Community Market
July 12, August 9, and Sept 13, 2008, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Huntamer Park in Woodland Square
- Olympia Carriage Rides
- Fri & Sat 6 -10pm.Percival Landing near Tidepool Fountain,
- Sat11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Farmers Market on Market Street,
- Sundays 12 -4pm.Farmers Market on Market Street.
Prices:Round-Trip, 20 minutes,$30
(up to 4 adults & 2 children)
- Summer Concerts in the Park Series – Wed at noon 6/25 thru 8/6/08. Huntamer Park, 4509 7th Ave SE, Lacey. See article on page 2.
♫
♪ ♪Summertime…Summertime…Sum Sum Summertime
♫ ♫
DON’T FORGET!!!!!!!!
The Kokua Annual Picnic will be held on August 6, 2008 at the Tumwater Historical Park from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For people making DAL rides, the address is:
2700 Simmons Rd. SW.
This year, we are having a picture contest. We are asking staff and clients to submit a baby picture of themselves to the Resource Team. The pictures will be scanned (so people will get their pictures back) and displayed. People will have to match names to baby photos. You can work as a group (houses, teams, etc.) or individually. There will be First, Second and Third prizes for people or teams who get the most correct matches. Please submit photos to the Resource Team by July 31st.
REMEMBER “OPEN SWIM” FOR SUMMER SWIMMING
Lacey Parksis sponsoring “Open Swim” this summer – at River Ridge Pool. It will be held thru 8/22, 1-3pm,Mon thru Sat. The pool has a hydro-lift (basket-type) to lift or lower swimmers into the pool. More info, call 491-0857
SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE PARK
Some great concerts will be held at noon on Wednesdays 6/25 through 8/6/08 this summer at Huntamer Park in Lacey (4509 7th Ave SE, Lacey) Kokua’s own Devin Giles will be playing with the band at the July 30th performance, so don’t miss it!
7/9/08 The Higgins
7/16/08 Lewis/Lane
7/23/08 Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin Daddies
7/30/08 JC Hyke
8/6/08 Salsa de Cuba
KOKUA COOKS
This easy and delicious recipe submitted by Carol McAuley.
RHUBARB CAKE
Mix 2 c chopped rhubarb½ c sugar & set aside.
1 ½ c sugar
½ c butter or margarine
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 c flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp soda
1 c buttermilk
1 c coconut
Cream 1 1/2 c sugar, butter, egg and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients together and add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in coconut and rhubarb.
Pour cake batter in lightly greased 9x13” pan or 2 8” pans.. Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes. Cool, cut in pieces and serve.
We Have a Winner!
Kokua has a winner in the "Name the Music Program" contest! If you remember, we were looking for a name that more accurately represents the focus of our unique music program. Kokua offered a $100 prize for the winning entry.
Congratulations toCary Richardson, our winner. Her winning entry is "Mele”,a Hawaiian word for music, which is in keeping with Kokua's Polynesian heritage. Mele is also an acronym for "Music Enriched Learning Experience", an excellent depiction of our program's focus.
NEWS FROM MELE:
Thank you to the staff who support our clients by transporting interacting with them at Kokua’s MELE (Music Enriched Learning Experience) every Thursday in building C-1. Special thanks to the following staff members: Sarah Anderson, Sara Chafe, Yolanda Worrall, Tony Benevente, Amber Zawadzinski, and Joshua Miller.
In attendance on June 26 were: Bill C, Danny C, John C, Charlie B, Keith W, Maggie P, Rodney O, Derek E, Jeff D and Dean H.
SAFETY COMMITTEE UPDATE
Kokua’s safety committee is doing cool things! We have an outstanding group that is full of new faces. Our current members include Candice Garman, Nicky Crow, Amy Gerhardt, Arthur Schafer, Teri Sheadel, Geoff Brown, William Ekpa, Lynn Royal, and the recently elected chairperson, Mary Ann Yarber.
As a follow up to last year’s work, pairs of Safety Committee members will be scheduling inspections at each worksite during August. A committee representative will also be providing brief trainings on safety topics during July team meetings. If your team does not have a representative attending our meetings, please elect one and send them our way! Meetings are the 1st Tuesday of each month from 2-4pm at the Kokua office. The next meeting will be August 5th
RECRUIT NEW EMPLOYEES FOR KOKUA AND EARN $$
Kokua is still giving out bonuses for referrals. Here’s how it works.
Talk to people you know who you think would make great Kokua team members. Give them an application or Kokua’s phone number with Dominique’s extension #105. Have them tell Dominique that you’ve referred them. She will complete a referral form so you can get the credit for the referral. (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. We have several employees who have already received their $50.00 bonus for referred employees, and they’re on their way to receiving that $100.00 bonus!
NEW FACES AT KOKUA
We have some more new faces around Kokua this month. Some of them belong to:
Jim Ward has joined the team at 25th Lp. His interests are taking care of his family, reading books (fiction and non-fiction), watching movies, and riding his Harley. He is currently teaching his new wife to ride her wedding gift, which was a 2008 Harley 883. He is helping to get his 16 year old stepson ready to go to Japan for his class trip.
Amber Kitt-Trier is a new member of the Angela St team. She was born in Monterey, CA. Her interests are photography, and Kung Fu.
Jessica Zierk is another new team member at the Angela house. She was born in Buffalo, NY. Her interests and hobbies are theatre and live entertainment, concerts, football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse. Jessica recently relocated to Olympia from Buffalo, NY with hopes of finishing her college degree, buying a house and hopefully heading towards marriage.
Welcome to Jim, Amber and Jessica! We’re so glad you’ve joined us!
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
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, please contact Judy Cline at 705-4665 ext 100. Thank you. / Archibald Foundation Gift
Kokua's Communication Skills Program has gotten a big boost. The Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation has given a $5,000 gift to assist with the purchase of equipment to expand the program.
Among the items being purchased are adaptive equipment that provides computer access for those with vision or fine motor challenges, also for individuals in wheelchairs. We will be purchasing a special keyboard with large keys, an adjustable arm for holding a computer mouse and an oversize trackball.
Kokua has also wanted to expand our capacity for assisting individuals with emerging language skills. Now the Communication Program will be able to purchaseadditional switches and simple communication devices so that morepeople can practice their skills at home.
We are truly appreciative of the Foundation's generosity! Their support will make a big difference for many people.
What’s Happening at Kokua?
John W got a new job working for the Dept. of Licensing. John has been looking for a new job for a while now and has successfully landed a janitorial position. John is very happy and eager to start this new career!
Derek E is enjoying being out of school for the summer. Rodney O has been enjoying the recent sunshine. Christine R enjoys her weekly trips to Multicare.
Charlie B has been going on day trips in the community with the Resource Team for the first time. He’s gone to the zoo and on a train trip and says he’s had a great time! John C had a visit with his parents who gave him a huge bag of coffee. He’s been enjoying a hot cup every morning. Danny C. has started getting a newsletter from his tribe – the Siletz tribe of Oregon. He’s working on making connections with other tribe members who live in the Olympia area to become more involved in his community.
Bryan C has had the opportunity to make another trip to Napavine to see his mom.
Rick F and his staff have been doing well at planning shopping trips, making a shopping list and using the list. Rick is planning to go to the San Juan Islands in August. Also he is working on quitting smoking.
Scott B bought himself a 400 disc CD/DVD player, which he and staff got all set up and working. Scott has been doing a good job at keeping his apartment clean.
Joe F is planning a trip to Vegas and he wants to know who’s coming with him??!! He is attending yet another Bobble Head Baseball game on July 18th. GO MARINERS!
Michael C’s mom is doing better and he is back to his regular visits with her with Arthur’s assistance. Michael is hoping to find a place where he can go horseback riding. He is looking forward to seeing his sister on the 4th of July.
Keith W has been attending Music in the Park with other Kokua clients and he really seems to enjoy it.
Paul J is home now and back to takin’ care of business!
Continued on page 2
Contact us to have your newsletter delivered by e-mail. Contact us: (360) 705- 4665 or e-mail
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT KOKUA, continued
Bill C has joined a softball team and is training for the Special Olympics. He will be going to practices every Tuesday and Thursday to prepare for the Big Game. Good for you, Bill!
Thank you to Julie C who has donated a computer to Kokua. Kokua’s plan is to eventually have a computer in every client house, so it will be put to good use!
The garden planted by the guys at the Hoffman Road house is doing really well. (They shared the secret of their green thumbs – it’s fish fertilizer.)They have already had head lettuce ready to use and the green peppers and tomatoes are starting to set fruit. The down-side of this is that they are going to have to move by August, so they may not be able to collect the harvest from their hard work. They’re going to try to move some of the plants to pots and take them with them.
Gary W is looking forward to going to visit his mom for the 4th of July. Jeff D and Gary are going up to Rainier School to visit old friends in the next week. Gary and Jeff are enjoying the warmer weather. Both of them are having fun with friends playing music, singing, and laughing at MELE. Jeff says that on Thursdays at MELE –he is “Having fun – Perfect!”
On June 2, Crystal Pogue and Candice Garman took the guys- Danny C, Charlie B and John C - from the Carpenter Hills house to Ocean Shores for the day. Everyone had a good time at the beach and then we all went out to lunch at Dugans’ Pizza.

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 Tony Benavente for excellent client care. Congratulations to Crystal Pogueon her new position. You will be missed. Welcome Becky Pickett to independent living. From Wendy Yarber
Kudos to Bea Rios on becoming the new team leader at the Angela Street house. Thank you to the entire Angela Street team for being so flexible during our staff shortage and to all the fill-in staff who helped out. Also thanks to Sean Bonneprise for being an awesome trainer. From Crissy Thompson
I would like to thank Cary Richardson for all your help with 8th Avenue Advocates, Judy Cline and Chris Rasmussen Barsanti for showing me the ropes of scheduling and budgets, Dominique Gonzalez for being patient while I learn new things and showing me how to do the time sheets, Diane Lamb for putting up with my computer questions, and to all of you who have helped in filling in for teams that are short staffed. All of you are great and a pleasure to work with. From Andrea Membreno
A BIG WELCOME to Bennilyn Deocares, the new team support specialist in the financial office. Everyone – be sure to come in and meet her. She is fitting right in and making a difference already. We are all glad to have you here. From Rose Hahn.
Huge kudos to Yolanda Worrall for your willingness to work extra hours and assist co-workers in an emergency situation. I don’t know what we would have done without you!
Welcome to Lynn Royal, Crissy Thompson and Bruce Walton as new Client Service Coordinators. From Carol McAuley
Kudos to Sean Bonneprise and Wendy Yarber for their support and training. From Tony Benavente Continued on pg 3
KOKUA KUDOS continued from page 2
Congratulations to Tony Benavente and Crissy Thompson who are expecting the arrival of they’re new baby in February. From Tony Benavente
Kudos to Diane Lamb and Sally Lewisfor all your hard work and for being so helpful with the “copier challenged” (wink, wink!!) Also, kudos to KevinPreston and Devin Giles for helping us with our staffing crisis! You guys ROCK! From Sara Anderson
Kudos to Dominique Gonzalez for all the extra miles she goes for us. From Sara Chafe
A big “THANK YOU!” to Sandy Wilson, who volunteers at our Kokua officeand, among other things, makes sure our newsletter is mailed out. She copies, folds, stuffs, addresses & stamps envelopes every month. We appreciate all that you do. From Sally Lewis
Thank you to David Raddatz for stepping in as the new team leader at the 17th Way house and for his willingness to take on the challenges of his new position. From Bruce Walton
EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE AWARDS FOR JULY 2008
The 31stTeam is recognized for the time and effort they have put into redecorating the ladies home inside and out! Kokua appreciates that you included the ladies in finding things they like and helped them to decorate. The house looks great!
Yolanda Worrall is appreciated for doing fill-in shifts for her team and supporting clients at the Mele music program. Kokua values employees who involve themselves in activities to help clients participate. Thank you!
Meg Martin is recognized for the way she interacts with those she supports. Meg is caring, creative and holds herself to a very high standard. Thank you for just being you, you’re great!
Candice Lindley and Sarah Anderson are recognized for clear communication with the SCT and excellent support of clients. The past few months have been arduous, yet you both have handled issues with such professionalism. Great oversight of your teams needs!
Annual Open Board Meeting
Kokua's Annual Open Board meeting was held Monday, July 7th at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Lacey. The open meeting format gives Board Members, clients, families and guardians a chance to come together in an informal setting. The Board also uses this meeting as an opportunity toelicit feedback on the quality of services and to listen to suggestion for future improvements.
This year's meeting was well attended. There was great participation in the feedback gathering process. (See next month's newsletter for a full report.) Kokua staff served fresh strawberry shortcake and punch, which was a big hit!
Kokua would like to thank St. Mark's Lutheran Church for their hospitality.The congregation at St. Mark's has very generously lent us the use of their parish hall for large events.

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Two dogs were walking down the street. One dog says to the other, “Wait here a minute, Herb,– I’ll be right back.” He walks across the street and sniffs the fire hydrant for a couple of minutes, then walks back across the street.
Herb says, “So, what was that all about?” The first dog says”, “Oh nothing much, I was just checking my messages.”