Southwest Human Resource Agency

Transcription

1 From The Director s Desk Southwest Human Volume 12, Number 3 Resource Agency July, August, September September 23rd marked the official start of Autumn in the South. We call it Fall. Either way it means shorter days and less time to spend outside. It also means the turning of leaves into beautiful multi colored shades of gold, red, orange, and brown. This time of the year for me has always been a time of preparation for the coming cold weather months and the onslaught of old man winter. But it is also time to reflect and give thanks for all of the blessings we enjoy. In the coming weeks and months we will celebrate and honor our Veterans and remember their sacrifices and understand that freedom is not free but must be protected by those who choose to serve. In November, we will pause and give thanks for the bountiful harvest and for all of the blessings of life. Then again in December, we will be celebrating the Christmas season and the miracle of a Baby being born to save the world. My thought for this year is BELIEVE. This special time of the year is celebrated by the Southwest family by helping others with our Let us have a little Christmas. As many as 200 boxes of food and other necessities have been provided to those who may be shut in Seniors or Head Start families. If you want to help out with this program, you can submit contributions by December 12th, 2015 to Southwest HRA, P.O. Box 264, Henderson, TN With your help we can put a smile on someone s face during the Holiday season. One of the high points in our day will come as the local Head Start Children will make a visit to our Central office for a little trick or treat, mostly treats. In late October, some of our local drivers will compete in the State Driving competition in Chattanooga for a chance to bring home the big wheel. My thanks to all who participated in our annual Community Development Golf Tournament held at the Chickasaw Golf Course. We had the most successful tournament to date. Our staff once again did an amazing job putting it all together. Proceeds from the golf tournament will be used to provide affordable housing for low income and special needs families in our service area. Let me be one of the first to say to you, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!!!! Yours in Service, Mike Smith Executive Director Southwest Human Resource Agency 2015 Inside This Edition From The Director's Desk 1 SWHRA Employee Of The Year 1 Community Services 2 Community Outreach 3 Foster Grandparents 4 Foster Grandparents Conference 5 Leadership Lessons 5 Workforce Innovation & Oppor- 6 8th Annual Golf Tournament 7 Golf Behind The Greens 8 8th Annual Golf Tournament Cont. 9 Annual SWHRA Meeting 10 Annual SWHRA Meeting Cont. 11 Annual SWHRA Meeting Cont. 12 Wellness Works Program 13 Women At Work 13 Upcoming Events 14 SWHRA 2015 Employee Of The Year CONTACT US: Southwest HRA P.O. Box 264 Henderson, TN The SWHRA employee of the year was awarded at this year s annual meeting. This year s recipient is Martha Alexander, Homemaker Program Specialist. SWHRA would like to thank Martha for her hard work and dedication over the past 24 years

2 Community Services Commodity Distribution Schedule 10/29 Hardeman County 11/05 Decatur County 11/12 Chester County 11/19 Hardin County A beautiful fall day drew a large crowd in Haywood County, for the commodity distribution at the Tennessee Army National Guard Building. 772 families were served.

3 Community Outreach Let Us Have a Little Christmas Southwest HRA Community Outreach is selling chances for a Yeti Roadie 20 3 for $5 8 for $10 Message patti.pickler45@gmail.com or ednajjohnson@gmail.com to reserve your chances Drawing held on December 17, 2015 (All proceeds go to Christmas Gift Cards for those SWHRA serves) As the holiday season approaches, Southwest HRA is turning our attention to those customers who are less fortunate than us. In the past we have provided assistance to Head Start families, shut-in Senior Citizens, unemployed/laid off families, medically needy families and Veterans. Because of your generosity, last year we served ninety-give(95) families and hope to serve many more this year. One thank you note stated, I would like to thank you so much for the $50.00 gift card that your office blessed my family with during the holiday season. It was very much needed and put a large smile on my children s faces as they were able to receive gift items that they may not have been able to get without your donation. We are turning to our partners again to assist us with this project. Please consider making a donation to our Let Us Have A Little Christmas program. Help us place a smile on a Senior Citizen s face who may only see our staff during the holidays or a Head Start child who may be able to open the gift they otherwise would not receive. You may submit contributions by December 11, 2015 to: Southwest HRA, P.O. Box 264, Henderson, TN 38340, Attn: Community Outreach. Thank you for your consideration by helping our Senior Citizens, Veterans, medically needy clients as well as our Head Start families.

4 Foster Grandparents Southwest Human Resource Agency The Foster Grandparent Monthly In-Service Training was held on Friday August 21, at the Chester County Conference Room with two guest speakers. Jennifer Bingham, a Massage Therapist delivered a presentation on the benefits of a massage. She gave demonstrations on hand and foot massages and how the Foster Grandparents could utilize the techniques at home. There were two hand outs given to each granny. One was of the hand and the key body part that correlates with your hands and the other one of the feet as to the body parts/nerves that would correlate when you massage that particular part of the hand or foot. She also gave a few of the grannies a hand or shoulder massage. John Antwine, R.N. with Tennessee Quality Homecare, visited with the grannies and spoke about diabetes. He stated, Almost 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. 1.7 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. Diabetes kills more Americans every year than AIDS and breast cancer combines. He gave the FGPS a handout from the American Diabetes Association pertaining to diabetes. The Foster Grandparents thoroughly enjoyed both speakers. Lots of questions were asked about the topics presented.

5 Foster Grandparent Conference Southwest Human Resource Agency Ida Ferguson, a Foster Grandparent at Bolivar Elementary is pictured with Wendy Spencer, the CEO for the Corporation for National & Community Service while attending the National Foster Grandparent Conference and 50th Anniversary of the Foster Grandparents Program in Reston, VA, September 9-12, Also in attendance from our area were Vivian Kelly, Foster Grandparent Coordinator; Leisa Scott-RSVP Coordinator; and Ronnie Butler-RSVP Veteran Volunteer. Leadership Lessons A wise person once said, It s not life that is important, but those you meet along the way that make the difference. Here are ten valuable, unforgettable leadership lessons you should consider. Be Cautious of Labels. Labels you place on people may define your relationship to them and bond to their personality. Everyone Deserves Respect. People are often wrongly treated with less respect than others around us. They deserve much more and should be treated as a part of the team. Courtesy Makes a Difference. Be courteous to all around you, regardless of their position. Common courtesies help bond a team. It can make a big difference for all. Take Time to Know your People. Life is oftentimes very hectic but that is no excuse for not knowing the people you work for and with. Sometimes a HERO may walk amongst us. Who are the HEROS in your midst? Anyone Can Be a HERO! What are the standards for a HERO? Don t sell your people short for any one of them may be the HERO who rises to the occasion when duty calls. On the other hand, it s easy to turn to your proven performers when the chips are down but don t ignore the rest of the team. Today s rookie could be tomorrow s superstar. Leaders Should Be Humble. Most modern day HEROES and some leaders are anything but humble, especially if you calibrate your Hero Meter on today s athletic fields. End zone self-aggrandizements are what we have come to expect from sports greats. Effective leaders should direct any celebration only to those who are deserving and away from themselves. Life Won t Always Hand You What You Think You Deserve. When you work hard, you expect to deserve recognition, right? However, sometimes you have to persevere, even when accolades don t come your way. Perhaps you weren t nominated for some sort of award? Don t let that stop you from continuing your hard work. Don t Pursue Glory. No job is beneath a Leader. Think about it! Pursue Excellence! No matter what task life hands you, do it well. If life makes you a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper you can be. Life is a Leadership Laboratory. All too often we look to secure some type of training to teach us leadership skills when, in fact, life is a leadership laboratory. Those you meet every day will teach you enduring lessons if you just take the time to stop, look and listen. Don t miss the opportunity to learn.

6 Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act The Summer Youth Program provides eligible youth from Chester, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and McNairy counties with paid workplace experiences at area businesses for up to eight weeks during the summer. These internships give young people a taste of the working world, exposure to career opportunities.

7 8th Annual SWHRA & SWCDC Golf Tournament The 8th annual SWHRA and SWCDC s Golf Tournament at Chickasaw Golf Club was a huge success. Over 120 golfers from all across the area participated in the event, which helped raise money for the Southwest TN Community Development Corporation. SWCDC is a community housing development organization created to meet the housing needs of citizens throughout the eight counties served by Southwest HRA. Prizes were awarded to participants for putting contest, longest drive, closest to the pin, as well as an opportunity to play for a new car.

8 Southwest Human Resource Agency 8th Annual SWHRA & SWCDCGolf Tournament - Behind The Greens

9 Southwest Human Resource Agency 8th Annual SWHRA& SWCDC Golf Tournament Continued Team Banks pictured L-R: Chris Banks, Brandon Robbins, Bobby Anderson & Kerry Roberson

10 Annual SWHRA Board Of Directors Meeting

11 Southwest Human Resource Agency Annual SWHRA Board Of Directors Meeting Continued

12 Annual SWHRA Board Of Directors Meeting Continued Local Service Centers are located at: Chester County CSC 269 N. Church St. Henderson, TN Decatur County CSC 2039 Hwy 641 South Parsons, TN Hardeman County CSC 793 Tennessee St. Suite A Bolivar, TN Hardin County CSC 885 Pickwick Rd. Savannah, TN Haywood County CSC 140 S. Wilson St. Brownsville, TN Henderson County CSC 340 Natchez Trace Dr. Lexington, TN McNairy County CSC 145 South Y Square Selmer, TN Madison County CSC 1124 Whitehall, Ste 201-A Jackson, TN 38301

13 Wellness Works Program When: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 Lunch-n-Learn Time: 11:30-12:30 Where: Central Office 1527 White Avenue, Henderson Topic: Mobile Apps for Health and Fitness RSVP: Please confirm your attendance by contacting the receptionist at by Thursday, November 5th. Please remember all full-time employees can receive Wellness Works points for participation in wellness activities. Eligible activities include; annual health screening, flu shot, lab work, 5K runs, gym memberships, lunch-n-learns, and more. All information should be forwarded to Christy McMahan at Women At Work or

14 Upcoming Events 11/11-Veteran s Day - Office Closed 11/26 - Thanksgiving Day Office Closed 11/27 Thanksgiving Holiday-Office Closed 12/17 SWHRA Open House 12/17 Let Us Have A Little Christmas 12/24 Christmas Eve-Office Closed 12/25 Christmas Day-Office Closed 12/31 New Year s Eve-Office Closed 01/01 New Year s Day-Office Closed 01/18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day-Office Closed Southwest Human Resource Agency P.O. Box White Avenue Henderson, TN Phone: Fax: msmith@swhra.org Our Mission To provide high quality service to our customers in a courteous, timely and cost effective manner through our highly dedicated, friendly and attentive team members. We provide an internal environment that promotes innovation, team work, and personal and professional growth. No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. ~ Charles Dickens