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“THE KOKUA SPIRIT” “Kokua’s Mission is to provide citizens with disabilities the support they need to lead full and meaningful lives.”

September 10, 2007 Volume 3, Number 9

FUN THINGS TO DO: Olympia Farmers Market is still open for the season.

Puyallup Fair September 7 through September 23. Sunday – Thursday 10a – 10p, Friday & Saturday 10a – 11p.

Percival Playday September 15, 11a – 4p, Percival Landing Park. Fun activities, food and entertainment for kids of all ages. Information 570‐5858

Rutledge Corn Maze‐ 302 93 rd Ave SE‐Olympia. Fall activities begin Sept 1. Info: 943‐0829

Summer’s End at Lacey Car Show, September 15, 9a – 3p. Free. Vendors, kids activities, games. Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE Info 491‐0857

Autumnal Equinox, September 23. Marks the beginning of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Contact us to have your newsletter delivered by e­mail. Contact us: (360) 705­ 4665 or e­ mail  sally­kokua@qwest.net 

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT KOKUA? 

Rodney O. had a birthday on August 25. He turned 51 and he went out to Red Robin to celebrate. Derek E. has his birthday on September 6 and Christine R.’s birthday is September 5, so Rodney, Christine and Derek are all having a birthday party together on September 8 from 1:00 to 3:00pm.

Christine R. is looking forward to going to Disneyland for her vacation in October.

Danny C. celebrated his birthday with a party on August 24, and it was a hit! Thank you to everyone who came over to share in the food, music and fun! Charlie B is looking for a new TV and coffee maker, and is hoping to start work with a job coach soon. He also said he had a great time at the Kokua picnic, where he got to see all his friends, eat, and hit the piñata!

John C has been loving the nice weather we’ve been having. He spends every afternoon outside in the sunshine. He also has enjoyed going out in the community with his workmates and staff.

The 22 nd House has had a very busy summer filled with exciting activities. Maggie P spent the day at Ocean Shores last week and had a good time. Manuela C is thrilled with her new volunteer buddy, Tammy, and is looking forward to the Puyallup Fair. Beverly G is excited about the completion of adjustments on a new wheelchair and met her goal in visiting her best friend this month. Since summer camp, Cecelia M has been planning her birthday party in October.

Sue W has been busy this month shopping and visiting with friends. Robert B has been looking for another job and going on job interviews, while working hard at the job he has.

Marcie W has really enjoyed attending Music In The Park presentations this spring and summer. She went to the beach last week and had a great time jumping in the waves. She enjoyed going to lunch while at the beach and bought a cat toy as a souvenir of the trip.

Becky C has been hanging out with her friend Ed. She’s still searching for a job.

Rick F has gone to his very first baseball game, and had a great time. He has been going downtown Olympia to the Farmer’s Market with his son and listening to music. With school starting again, they won’t have as much time to do things together. Both he and his son had birthdays recently. Happy Birthday to both of you!

The guys at the Hoffman house are planning to “Do the Puyallup” this month. Their garden is about done, but the pumpkins are still growing – bigger and bigger! We expect to see some BIG jack‐o‐ lanterns for Halloween!

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NEW FACES AT KOKUA

Jesse Cantrell is a new Kokua employee. She will be working on the 25 th Loop Team. Jesse’s interests include learning to sew, anything to do with metal and welding, independent and foreign films, reading (mostly historical), 1940’s & 1950’s anything and her three Shar Peis. Welcome to the Kokua Team, Jesse!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS….

The 8 th Avenue Advocates are planning their next dance. It will be the Winter Dance, held November 10, 2007 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at the United Churches of Olympia, 110 11 th

Avenue, Olympia. Tickets are $7 or $6 if you donate a can of food for the Food Bank. For tickets, call Andria at 491‐8179 or Paul at 459‐9669.

CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR SERIES TRAINING DATES

The dates listed below have been set for Challenging Behavior Series Training for the remainder of 2007. All trainings will be held from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the conference room in Suite C‐1. CBS training is required for all new employees, but any Kokua employee is welcome to come to the training.

Monday, September 24 th

Monday, October 29 th

Monday, November 26 th

Monday, December 17 th

If you have any questions about the training, contact Kacie at ext 111. Listen. You can convey no greater honor than actually hearing what someone has to say.

KOKUA KUDOS “Everyone appreciates being appreciated. Try to catch people red‐handed in the act of doing something right – and praise them for it.”

I want to give a big “Thank You!” to Choua Chhim and Ann Kennedy for filling in the extra graveyard shifts while we are short staffed. Also thanks to Bonnie Crawford for being flexible with her schedule this summer. From Crissy Thompson

Kudos to Candice Garman for referring several potential employees to Kokua. Thank you from Dominique.

Kudos to everyone doing fill in and/or working extra hours at 44 th Court. You are all lifesavers. Thank you for all your hard work and team spirit!

I’d like to give huge thanks to Lavenia Marles and Ashlyn Gray for the fill‐in and extra work you have been putting in. I’d also like to offer my gratitude to Carol McAuley for your kindness and compassion during some challenging moments. Finally, the 22 nd

team would like to pay respect to Karin Frischknecht and wish her much luck and happiness in her transition from 5 year veteran to fill‐in staff. We will all miss you very much. From Rebecca Dallas

I’d like to thank everyone on the Service Coordination Team: Chris, Judy, Carol, David, Sean, Molly, Kacie, Cary and Dominique for all of your support during the evaluation. This is a great team to be a part of! From Sara Gordon

EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Angela Street you are recognized for the outstanding job in working on personal goals of those you support. It is apparent that you have made this a priority ‐ fantastic job! The Resource Team You are each recognized for your time and talents. Jill Smith and Michelle Cole your commitment to Frieda shows such flexibility and care when juggling schedules for visits and doctor appointments, your persistence with maintaining everyone’s medical equipment is incredible and your dedication to helping Ron is remarkable‐thank you. Devin Giles and Kevin Preston you are recognized for your vision of MEOW and the effort it has taken to see it through. We have witnessed so many positive outcomes from your program and celebrate your success. 17 th Street House you are recognized for such a positive transition with the recent move. Kokua appreciates your ability to assist in such a manner that those supported seem to be calm, happy and at home in their new space‐Great job! Brittany Levesque you are recognized for your positive attitude and wonderful ability to take on whatever task is needed to keep Kokua running smoothly‐Thank you! Michael Craig you are recognized for your hard work and positive attitude while at your job shredding documents. You have such a cheerful manner that the office looks forward to the days you work! Beverly Gibson you are appreciated for your professional work ethic and friendly manner when you come to the office to work. We look forward to you stopping by and saying hello before starting your shredding.

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VOLUNTEERS: AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE KOKUA TEAM

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.” Martin Luther King Jr

We welcome Tammy Stark! We are so grateful that Tammy is a “Buddy” to Manuela C. They have had a few visits so far and are getting out in the community and enjoying each others company.

We extend that gratefulness to all our volunteers. Thank you for your time. 

The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers. ~Everett Mámor 

Help Support adults with disabilities in individual goals, community activities, or to their place of Worship. To find out more about volunteering, contact Cary Richardson, Volunteer and Internship Coordinator 360‐705‐4665, ext 108 or e‐mail at cary‐ kokua@qwest.net.

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

A minute is a little thing, But minutes make the day ‐ So crowd in some kind deeds Before it slips away.

TAKING CARE OF YOU: The New Superfoods From a msn health article: Superfoods: The Next Frontier

Have you had it up to here with broccoli? It’s hard to take it off the menu when it’s such a great source of vitamins and minerals. Research is shifting the spotlight to a new generation of health‐ boosting foods. Here are six on the brink of superstar status.

1. Pomegranate: This fall fruit has higher antioxidant activity than red wine and green tea. Studies show it may prevent skin cancer and kill breast and prostate cancer cells. Mice who drank pomegranate juice experienced 50% less brain degeneration in aging than animals that drank sugar water. They did better in mazes and tests as they aged, making it a food that could be used in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Kiwifruit: This homely little fruit is bursting with antioxidants and is full of fiber. It is very nutritionally dense, containing substantial amounts of vitamin E and more vision‐saving lutein than any other fruit or vegetable, except corn.

3. Barley: Research has shown that barley in its whole kernel or refined flour form may knock down bad cholesterol by as much as 17.4% and decrease blood sugar and insulin levels in diabetics.

4. Cranberries: This antioxidant rich food appears to be a potent cancer protector. I helps treat urinary tract infections and prevents gum disease. Compounds in the juice (or in 1/3 c dried cranberries) can alter antibiotic‐ resistant strains of E.coli bacteria. Animals fed dried berries or juice every day had healthier, more flexible blood vessels that they had previously.

5. Broccoli Sprouts: Just 1 oz of sprouts has as much sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS) as 1 ¼ pounds of broccoli. SGS triggers enzymes in the body that either kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. People who ate about ½ c per day of sprouts lowered total cholesterol by an average of 15 points and increased good cholesterol by 8 points in one week.

6. Kefir: 8 oz of this cultured milk drink contains 30% of the recommended daily intake of calcium and more beneficial bacteria than yogurt. It appears to reduce food allergies, lower the risk of breast cancer and doesn’t trigger lactose intolerance. It tastes like plain yogurt, but is a little thinner.

With Knights Like These……. A knight and his men return to their castle after a long, hard day of fighting. “How are we faring?” asks the king. “Sire,” replies the knight, “I’ve been robbing & pillaging on your behalf all day, burning the homes and towns of your enemies in the west.” “What?!?” shouts the king. “I don’t have any enemies to the west!” There was a pause and then, “Oh,” said the knight. “Well, I fixed that, your highness.”

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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 so you can get the credit for doing so. 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! Don’t forget to refer some friends to Kokua. You can get an extra $150.00 out of this deal!

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

NATURAL LAWS 1. “The Law of Volunteering” If you dance with a grizzly bear, you’d better let him lead. 2. “The Law of Self‐Sacrifice” When you starve with a tiger, the tiger starves last. 3. “The Law of Probable Dispersal” Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed. 4. “Osborne’s Law” Variables won’t, constants aren’t. 5. “Heller’s Law” The first myth of management is that it exists. 6. “Weiler’s Law” Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn’t have to do it himself. 7. “Law of Drunkenness” You can’t fall off the floor. 8. “Main’s Law” For every action there is an equal and opposite government program.

Macy’s Fall “Shop 4 a Cause” Fundraiser is October 13th

Macy’s holds a bi‐annual Shop 4 a Cause fundraiser benefiting 501 (C) (3) non‐profits. The fundraiser is Macy’s way of “giving‐back” to the community.

We are grateful to Macy’s for this fundraiser because as a participant we are provided with free advertisement, flyers, and coupons to sell and we keep 100% of the proceeds.

You can help support Kokua buy purchasing a coupon or a few for friends and family.

Support Kokua and have fun shopping all at the same time!

For just $5 dollars you will receive a • 20% off coupon to be used October 13 th (with some

exclusions) • $20 dollars off a $100 dollar purchase (not used as a combo) • Entered to win a $500 Shopping Spree card (contest

exclusively for coupon fundraiser) • An in‐store promotion the day of the event

To purchase coupons –please contact Cary Richardson 360.705.4665 ext. 108 Cary‐Kokua@qwest.net

KOKUA COOKS HERB STUFFED RED PEPPERS Submitted by Chris Rasmussen‐Barsanti

2 large sweet red peppers ½ lb ground beef ½ c chopped onion 1 ½ c cooked brown rice 1 Tblsp dried parsley flakes ¾ tsp salt 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper 1 (6oz) can tomato sauce 1/8 tsp ground allspice ¼ c chicken broth 2 tsp balsamic vinegar 1 ½ tsp dried basil 4 Tblsp grated Parmesan cheese

Cut tops off peppers, remove seeds. Place cut side down on microwave‐safe plate; cover with plastic wrap, microwave on high 2‐3 minutes; set aside. In skillet, cook beef and onion till no longer pink;drain. Remove from heat; stir in rice, parsley,salt,cayenne & allspice. Combine in pan tomato sauce and broth and bring to boil. Add vinegar, basil and 3 Tblsp Parmesan. Stir ½ c sauce into rice mixture. Spoon into peppers. Place in greased shallow baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° 30 minutes. Sprinkle with rest of cheese. Bake, uncovered, 4‐10 minutes or till tender. Serve with rest of sauce. Serves 2.

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