Volume 11, Issue 9, June 2013 K

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Helping People. Changing Lives. Serving Eastern Oklahoma Since 1968 K

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May Was National Community Action Month See photos on pages 4,5and 6

KI BOIS Area Transit Mechanics, Wes Paul, Mike Svenelid and myself, Ron Davis, attended the MV-1 training held in Mishawaka, Indiana on May 23-25, 2013. Aaron Goodman and Dustyn Bloxham attended the same training on April 23-25, 2013.

The MV-1 class was held at AM General Training Center. It was a three day hands on training. The class covered CNG (compressed natural gas) fuel system operation, maintenance and repair; power wheel-chair ramp removal, maintenance and repair; dash removal; air conditioner unit maintenance and repair; and scan tool diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting tips.

We were given a plant tour of the AM General Assembly line where the MV-1 vehicles are built. The trainees were shown the complete assembly of the vehicles from beginning materials to the end product. The production al-lowed us to visualize the wiring, which will assist in the diagnostic of potential problems with wiring. This was a very beneficial bonus.

AM General also manufactures the HUMVEE for the United (Continued on page 7)

Left: Mechanic Ron Davis and 6th and 7th one standing, Wes Paul, Mike Svenelid are shown with other instructors and atten-dees at the three day hands on class.

KI BOIS community Action Head Start Centers are closed for the Summer. Head Start staff will start back to work on July 8th. Have a great summer and be safe! See more end of the year photos on page 10.

KATS Mechanics Attend Training by Ron Davis, KATS Mechanic

From the Desk of the Executive Director / CEO

Page 2 KI BOIS News

KI BOIS News is published monthly by

KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Inc.

200 Southeast “A” Street P.O. Box 727

Stigler, OK 74462 918-967-3325 800-299-4479

www.kibois.org

R. Carroll Huggins Executive Director / CEO

Tom Marlatt Associate Director / CFO

Larry Hall, Associate Director / COO

KI BOIS Community Action

Board of Directors Gene Bass, Board Chairperson

John Cook, 1st VP Kenneth Monroe, 2nd VP Jan Coplen, Sec/Treasurer

Cecil Williams, Parliamentarian Steve Carter, Member

Kay Box, Editor

918-967-3325, Ext. 131 kay.wood@kibois.org

Calendar of Events

June 2013 KI BOIS Community Ac-

tion Executive Board Meet-ing, Monday, June 24th, 2:00 p.m.

KI BOIS Community Action of-fice will be closed on Thursday, July 4th in observance of the 4th of July.

June 1, 2013

Public schools are out, KI BOIS Community Action Head Start is out, and summer is here! All KI BOIS Community Action Head Start staff members at the center level are on vacation for the month of June and the Head Start administrative staff is already planning for next year. They will return to work and begin their training and Center preparation for next school year on July 8th.

The Oklahoma Legislature has ended their regular session. State appropriated funds for KI BOIS Community Action Head Start and other Community Action Programs will remain at the same level. At the federal level we are not sure of the size of cuts in our programs. Our Stimulus funding from the American Reinvestment & Recovery Act (ARRA) for Weatherization has ended. We are experiencing a 5-6% cut in all federal programs due to Sequestration . We will probably be under a continuing resolution all of next year. Weatherization may receive an in-crease because of the major cut it took last year.

We have not been officially notified on the status of our Veterans Assistance Grant applica-tion but from the questions they are asking it looks very positive.

Have a great summer!

R. Carroll Huggins, CCAP Executive Director / CEO

Carroll Huggins

Sometimes when you meet someone you just know they are special……...Connie Woods gives you that feeling.

Connie works at the KI BOIS McAlester Care Center, a Domestic Abuse Sexual Assault Shelter for victims and their children, and has worked in the Domestic Violence Shelter since it was established in 1997. The shelter was certified in 1998 as part of the Oaks. In 2008 the shelter came under the KI BOIS Community Action umbrella and was re-named the KI BOIS McAlester Care Center (McCare for short). According to Connie, “I am so glad that KI BOIS Community Action saw the need for the Domestic Violence Shelter and gave the Shelter an opportunity to prove itself. ” While working at the Shelter, Connie worked two shifts a weekend for 10 years while working for the First National Bank & Trust Co. of McAlester. She retired from the bank after 30 years and continued working at the Shelter. She went full time officially in March of 2012 and stated, “in for a penny in for a pound" and accepted the Managers position in January of this year.

Connie spends most of her day helping those in need. As Shelter Manager, Connie is responsible for the 12 bed facility and her goal is to make it as homey and comfortable as possible for the clients. Since the facility is full most of the time, Connie and her staff stay busy offering groups for domestic abuse, self-empowerment educa-tion for residential and non-residential clients. They also offer assistance with information and

(Continued on page 8)

McCare Has New Manager…..Connie Woods

Connie Woods

Enroll now for KI BOIS Head Start…...

KI BOIS News Page 3

Royce Alverson and I have had the honor to be involved with the planning of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Wall (AVTT) Viet Nam Traveling Memorial that will be in Stigler, June 19th through June 23rd. The price of Freedom is not Free as 12 brave men from Haskell County names are etched on this granite wall. Above, is the schedule and we are sure that you will not want to miss one moment of the events. If you have any additional questions, please Royce or I at 918-967-3325. Kay Box

Numbers Are In For Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program The numbers are in and it has been a very good year for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). This is the tenth year that KI BOIS Community Action has participated in the preparation of income tax. According to Program Coordinator Amy Fair, “This has been one of our best years for helping individuals with their income tax filing. This year we processed a total of 1,541 returns. We had a total Earned Income Credit of $714,415 and a total refund amount of $1,892,324.” These returns were proc-

essed at no charge allowing individuals more money for other necessities

KIBOIS Community Action looks forward to many more years helping individuals with the filing of their income tax. Next year if you or someone you know makes $50,000 or below check with any KI BOIS Com-munity Action office and maybe we can save you some money!

Left, Doris Shield comments, “I think it’s awesome that you all are doing this. I appreciate it so much. Everyone at KI BOS seems so happy to help you. I save at least $150 in income tax prepara-tion fees. This allows me to have more money to spend on things that I need. This is my third year to take advantage of the VITA program and I will continue as long as I can.”

Page 4 KI BOI News

Sequoyah County Celebrates National Community Action Month by Hosting a Food Pantry at Belfonte School - Tuesday, May 7th

Sequoyah County Director Melissa Stubblefield, center front, is shown with many of the students at Belfonte School. These families are in such a remote area of northern Sequoyah County they don’t have access to fresh fruit and according to Stubblefield, “They love fruit!”

LeFlore County Celebrates National Community Action Month by Hosting an Open House Tuesday, May 14th

Left, KI BOIS Community Care Case Manager Janee Pottridge is ready to explain her program. Right, Jessie Tucker, Sheila Noggle and Sandy Skinner serve the many who attended the Le-Flore County Open House.

KI BOI News Page 5

Pittsburg County Celebrates National Community Action Month by Hosting an Open House Thursday, May 16th

Latimer County Celebrates National Community Action Month by Hosting an Open House - Thursday, May 16th

Left, Sarah Tucker, poses at the program informa-tion table while David Keith, McAlester Regional Health Center CEO, and Helen Wheeler enjoy the refreshments.  

Left, KI BOIS Community Action Executive Director / CEO Carroll Huggins and Wilburton Mayor Stephen Brinlee enjoy the festivities. Right, the table is spread.

Haskell County Celebrates National Community Action Month by Raising Money for Breast Friends - Sat. June 1st

Team KI BOIS raised over $2,100 for Breast Friends. The event, Heel Breast Cancer Bash was held on Saturday, June 1st at Roye Park, Stigler. Not only did we have a fun night, but we were the 1st place fundraising team. Hurray!

Our booth had the theme “The War Against Breast Cancer” and was decorated with various military memorabilia. Our booth won 3rd for the best decorated thanks to Kathy and Danny Healy. That night we also sold cupcakes, had raffle for 50/50 pot and a movie night themed bas-ket.

Pictured L-R: Tiffany Tolbert, Madilyn Tolbert, Diana Sheives, Royce Alverson, Melinda Ramsey and Kathy Healy. Not pictured are Linda Holmes and Morgan Benham. ALL of our Team members did great. Team Members were: Kay Box, Royce Alverson, Diane Sheives, Linda Holmes, Redonna Perry, Kathy Healy, Regina Bratton, Nita Gills, Melinda Ramsey, Lena Brewer, Gina Honeycutt, Shelli Bass, Jessica Kleman, Nicole Dotson, Morgan Benham, plus our master chef Carroll Huggins. But everyone who donated and helped us was part of the team.

Christmas in June…...The KI BOIS Women’s Shelter, Stigler, recently received a grant from the Santa’s Sleigh Project. The Santa’s Sleigh is a group of volunteers from Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, whose mission is to provide Christmas gifts and toiletries to homeless children throughout the State of Oklahoma. According to Shelter Director Anne Peck, “This isn't a grant we normally get, so this is Christmas in June for us. We were able to buy items that we usually wouldn't be able to buy with other grant funds. The children are going to love the Wii and the learning tab-let, maybe even the adults!) Some of the items purchased were a Nintendo Wii, with accessories and games. Also an Innotab learning tablet with accessories and games, a bathtub, three pac-n-plays with built in bassinets, two high chairs and two booster seats.

Page 6 KI BOI News

Page 7 KI BOIS News

States Military at a facility next to the MV-1 facility. We wanted to tour this facility, but since we were civilians, we were not al-lowed.

KI BOIS Community Action has eight of those MV-1 CNG vehicles and nine regular fuel MV-1’s in service. These vehicles look different than the usual KATS vans and we have to be certified in order to perform warranty work. Since KATS mechanics are now certified to perform warranty work on the MV-1, AM General will reimburse KI BOIS for any labor costs. So the next time you are traveling down the road, see if you can spot one of them across our service area. In addition, Paul, Svenelid and myself experienced an unexpected challenge getting to the training. En route on our take off from Atlanta, Georgia to Mishawaka, Indiana, traveling about 100 miles per hour down the runway the plane abruptly stopped and turned around. They had aborted the flight due to engine trouble. We were then stranded in Atlanta, Georgia and could not get to Indiana until the next flight at 3:30 pm THE NEXT DAY! We negotiated with the air-lines and were put on standby for the next available flight north. We were given $25.00 food voucher for our trouble. However, by this time all the restaurants were closed…..only soda pop and crackers were available for dining at its finest. Meanwhile, as tornadoes haunted Oklahoma, we worried about our wives and children. Things were looking better as our names were finally called on the standby list for Detroit, Michigan and we also learned that our wives and children were safe and in turn they learned their “mechanics” were safe. We arrived in Detroit and then caught another flight at 8:45 am to South Bend, Indiana. From there staff from AM General met us at the airport and drove us straight to class. We had been scheduled to arrive in Indiana at 5:00 pm on Monday, May 22nd and did not arrive until Tuesday morning at 10:30 am….. making us two and half hours late.

Right, 3rd from the left, Mechanic Aaron Goodman and 6th man out, Dustyn Bloxham are shown with other instructors and atten-dees during the April training.

KATS Mechanics Attends Training…………………... cont’d from page 1

2013 Special Olympics May 8th - 10th, Stillwater

There were 34 participants from LeFlore County. All participants received a medal.

Page 8 KI BOIS News

Miley Isabella Ford was born Wednesday, May 1st weighing 8 lbs., 08 oz. and was 21 inches long.

Her proud parents are Jackie Ford and Maranda Ramsey. Proud Nana is McAlester Supported Living Program Coordinator Vickie Ford.

Riley Adriana Easter was born on Monday, May 13th, weighing 8 lbs., 5 oz and was 19 inches long.

Her parents are Kyle and Nikki Easter. This is the first Great Grand-baby for Assistant Head Start Director Sherry Hullinger.    

 

It’s Girls…… The KIBOIS CAF Women's Shelter, along with another agency, was selected by the Stigler Post Of-fice to receive donations from the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive held on May 11. 2013. This event is sponsored by the Community Food Bank of Eastern

Oklahoma. On May 11th, local letter car-riers picked up food donations from residences. According to Shelter Director Anne Peck, “The community was extremely generous so our shelves are now well stocked. We are grateful to the community for their dona-tions, to the letter carriers, to Postmaster Jeremy Lopez and

the Eastern Oklahoma Food Bank.” Editor’s Note: The Women’s Shelter is always in need of donations of bedding, food, clothes etc. If you have any items you would like to donate, please contact Anne Peck at 918-967-2512.

help needed for daily living. Connie also states, “Most of these ladies are products of their upbringing and bad choices they have made. They need under-standing, someone to show that they care and that they too are worthy of a good life. I don’t expect immedi-ate results, but I do pray that I can make a difference and one day their lives will be better.”

Connie is the proud mom of two sons, Alan and Kent but even prouder of her two grandsons, Lincoln and Dylan Connie goes on to tell of the heartbreak of losing Lincoln in a fatal car accident. She speaks with great pride as Lincoln served as an Air Traffic Con-troller for the Marine Corp and is buried with military honors at the Military Cemetery in Annapolis, Mary-land. The sadness is soon erased and a gleam appears in her eyes as she speaks of being a great- grand-mother of a beautiful, red headed charmer, Madylen Isabella, who turned four in March of this year.

Connie states, “I really don't have any special hob-bies, but I do love movies (could be the popcorn) and my special friend and I go every Friday night. I love my church family at Victory and my Sunday School Class is the best. I am proud to be a team member of the KI BOIS Community Action organization. I couldn’t do my job without the help of my great staff. We truly believe in Helping People and Changing Lives. ” Editor’s Note: When you talk with Connie you walk away knowing she cares and is ready and eager to help anyone in need. Thanks Connie for an heart-felt interview!

Women’s Shelter News

KI BOIS Community Action Board Member Janice Williams, center, is shown with KI BOIS Community Action Executive Director / CEO Carroll Huggins, left, and, right, KI BOIS Community Action Board Chair Gene Bass after they presented Williams with a Certificate of Appreciation for her membership on the KI BOIS Community Action Head Start Policy

New Manager….continued from page 1

Have A Great Summer…….. But Don’t Forget To Be Safe!

In Loving Memory………………..

Page 9 KI BOIS News

Marion “Becky” Hickman

KI BOIS Community Action lost a great friend and supporter as Marion “Becky” Hickman passed away on Tuesday, June 11th, at the age of 92. Mrs. Hickman was born on July 13th, 1920. She retired as Heard Start Director in 1982. Her son-in-law, James Storment, also sits on the KI BOIS Community Action Board of Directors.

Gracie Powell April 6th, 1922 - May 5th, 2013

Mrs. Powell was a former KI BOIS Community Action Board Member from McCurtain

Dorothy Christine Sloan October 21st, 1927 - June 2nd, 2013

Mrs. Sloan was the mother-in-law of KATS Director Charla Sloan.

When KI BOIS Community Action Head Start Teacher Julie Hunter moved back to her hometown of Vian, she expected to enjoy the simple life and have her two youngest daughters grow up like she did. She was enjoying the calmness of a small town, but soon realized it was calm before the storm.

Julie had been living in Jacksonville, TX, for over 20 years, with her husband, Stacy, and their three daughters, Jessica, 20, Jennifer, 15, and Jordan, 10. Stacy had worked for the City of Jacksonville during their mar-ried life in several different capacities. According to Julie, “He was very active in his commu-nity and with youth sports both boys and girls. We traveled all over the area going to games and tournaments with kids often not our own.”

Julie and the girls traveled back and forth from Vian to Jacksonville…..just waiting for Stacy to retire in March of 2013. On this particular weekend in October, Julie and the girls had traveled to Jacksonville. It was early in the morning on Saturday, October 20th when Julie re-ceived the phone call. The police only had these words…. “Stacy had been shot….three gun-shot wounds….one to the chest, one to the arm and one under the chin.”

As the newspaper stated, “Beloved Jacksonville Coach Stacy Hunter died from his injuries.”

It has been a difficult journey for Julie, her daughters and other family members, but on Mon-day, May 6th, 2013, their spirits were lifted as the City of Jacksonville renamed the city rec-reation center in his honor. He gave to his community and now they are giving back to him.

"Coach" Stacy was a popular guy in Jacksonville,” stated Matt Mongomery. Montgomery had been broadcasting from the sidelines at the Tomato Bowl for 31 years. He knew Stacy Hunter when he was a promis-

ing young Tribe football player back in the mid '80s. Since then, Matt says he's coached kids in everything from pop warner to little dribblers to little league baseball. And it was more than just coaching. "He was a mentor to a lot of these kids that may not have had a father at home and he would pick them up, take them home. He just was the guy that you would want to coach your kid," Montgomery said.

As former players remembered "If it wasn't for him, I know I'd be in jail somewhere right now, and he was a big inspiration for everybody. He kept us out of trouble," said Michael Ander-son. He was coached in basketball by Hunter. "Confidence on the court because I never had that until I played with him," said Marquisha Anderson.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to the Hunter family.

Stacey Hunter November 1, 1968 -

October 20th, 2012

Page 10 KI BOI News

Head Start…… The End of the Year Activities

Panama at Pirates Play

McCurtain Mighty Kids

Keota Water Day

   KATS, Okemah, saw a need and responded as a tor-nado ripped through the communities of Shawnee and Moore. The collection dates were held on Friday, June 21st and Saturday, June 22nd. For every item donated that indi-vidual received a free ride. Those riders not only included regular riders but KATS Okemah also transports Muscogee Creek Nation citizens and they also joined in the effort. The KATS office also served as a donation drop off to any individuals who wanted to donate, but didn’t need our ser-vices. It was a sad day in Oklahoma when a tornado tore through the town of Shawnee on May 19th only to show up again on May 20th in the Town of Moore. According to KATS Okemah Supervisor Drusilla Dear-man, “We are proud of everyone that helped with our effort and hope that our efforts made a difference.” Left to right, are Sarah Robertson, Martha Roberts, Manuel Fixico, Tresa Wallis, and Nick Lee. (All drivers participated, but these were the only drivers available for the photo.)

KATS Receives Letter of Thanks……. Below is a letter from a KATS DDSD rider, J.T. KATS transports J.T. back and forth to work in Okmulgee.

Page 1 1 KI BOI News

KATS Collects for Tornado Victims in Shawnee and Moore

We were on the Radio…... Promoting May as Na-tional Community Action Month were left to right Kay Box, Megan Waters, DJ, and Royce Alverson. Box and Alverson were live on Thursday, May 16th, on KNED of McAlester sharing information about KI BOIS Community Action and their programs.

Vian Head Start Teacher Deanna Hall and her class enjoy dancing with the new scarf's they received in May.

These positions are open to KI BOIS Community Action Foundation Staff as well as to the public. (ALL POSI-TIONS SUBJECT TO CONTINUED PROJECT FUNDING.) Deadline for all openings: Until Filled. Current employees – please submit a letter of interest to Human Resources. Applications may be picked up at any KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Inc. office or printed from the website, www.kibois.org. Applications should be returned to:

KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Inc. P. O. Box 727, Stigler, OK 74462 Attention: Human Resources

Phone: 800.299.4479 Fax: 918.967.9100 KI BOIS COMMUNITY ACTION FOUNDATION, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

KI BOIS News Page 8

KI BOIS Community Action Notice of Job Posting Don’t forget to visit www.kibois.org

KI BOIS OAKS REHABILITATIVE SERVICES CENTER JOB TITLE: COOK - FT (McAlester)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Experience in an institutional setting preferred. Flexible work schedule. High School Diploma/GED

JOB TITLE: SUBSTANCE ABUSE TECH - FT (McAlester)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Assist Clinical Staff by providing logistical and support services

KI BOIS HEAD START PROGRAMS SOUTH JOB TITLE: COOK - FT (Hartshorne)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Must have HS Diploma/GED and enjoy children

JOB TITLE: ASSISTANT TEACHER - FT (Hartshorne AND Heavener)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: CDA or AA in Early Childhood Education or must be working toward either

JOB TITLE: CENTER DIRECTOR/TEACHER - FT (CASC Poteau)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: AA in Early Childhood Education

KI BOIS HEAD START PROGRAMS NORTH JOB TITLE: TEACHER - FT (Hulbert)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: AA in Early Childhood Education

KI BOIS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PROGRAM JOB TITLE: HABILITATION TRAINING SPECIALIST (Poteau, McAlester and Ada)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Will serve as direct support staff for consumers. Ability to handle sensitive issues while protecting oth-ers’ welfare. Able to exercise patience, understanding, creativity and flexibility. HS Diploma/GED, valid DL and auto insurance. Must complete Foundation, CPR and First Aid Training (and any other training as required/requested.) Must be able to lift a mini-mum of 50 lbs.

KI BOIS AREA TRANSIT PROGRAM

JOB TITLE: TRANSIT DRIVERS (Contact local Transit Office to verify opening)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Maintain a valid driver’s license. Good driving record. Must be physically able to assist passengers and their belongings while entering and exiting the vehicles. Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs and provide wheel chair assis-tance. Should have knowledge of area resources and live within convenient distance of city where job opening is available.