​It has been close to 25 years since I have been part of an organized sports team.  Now as a parent going through organized sports, I often tell my kids to be a good teammate.  In hindsight, I found that I wasn’t sure that my kids truly understood what it all takes to be a good teammate.  The concept of teamwork and being a great team player we all know reaches far beyond sports.  Most people work in some sort of team environment.  I found this great article by Joel Garfinkle that shares five qualities, "...that make a good team player great:

1. Always reliable. A great team player is constantly reliable day in and day out, not just some of the time. You can count on them to get the job done, meet deadlines, keep their word and provide consistent quality work.  With excellent performance, organization and follow-through on tasks they develop positive work relationships with team members and keep the team on track.
2. Communicates with confidence. Good team players might silently get the work done but shy away from speaking up and speaking often. Great team players communicate their ideas honestly and clearly and respect the views and opinions of others on the team.  Clear, effective communication done constructively and respectfully is the key to getting heard.
3. Does more than asked. While getting the work done and doing your fair share is expected of good team players, great team players know that taking risks, stepping outside their comfort zones, and coming up with creative ideas is what it’ll take to get ahead. Taking on more responsibilities and extra initiative sets them apart from others on the team.
4. Adapts quickly and easily. Great team players don’t passively sit on the sideline and see change happen; they adapt to changing situations and often drive positive change themselves.  They don’t get stressed or complain but are flexible in finding their feet in whatever is thrown their way.
5. Displays genuine commitment. Good team players are happy to work 9-5 and receive their paycheck at the end of the month. Great team players take the time to make positive work relationships with other team members a priority and display a genuine passion and commitment toward their team. They come to work with the commitment of giving it 110% and expect others on the team to do the same.

To be a great team player, you don’t have to be extroverted or indulge in self-promotion. In fact, great team players sport all kinds of personalities. You just need to be an active participant and do more than your job title states. Put the team’s objectives above yours and take the initiative to get things done without waiting to be asked."

It was a great refresher to not only share with my children, but for myself as well. Thanks for reading!
​Amy

There is always something fun and exciting going on in the community.  One such event is Terrifically Creative Tuesdays, TCT for short.  This group formed to meet a need to use one's creative side.  Check out the details below.  

When: The last Tuesday of each month (unless a changed is announced)

Where: Zion Lutheran Church located at 4300 Beaver Avenue in Des Moines in a classroom in the basement of the church. 

Time: 5:30-7:30 pm (often depends on how long the project takes-flexible time frame for arrival)

What: We will have creative projects set up for everyone to complete. We usually discuss as a group what everyone wants to do and make a plan for the following month.

Bring: You are welcome to bring something to drink (drinking fountains are available).

Cost: there is often a small fee for the sessions to help offset the cost of supplies. The amount depends on each of the projects. A notice will be given each month with the project description, cost, and RSVP notice. Please RSVP to Krystal at least a week in advance to ensure enough supplies. She can be reached by text/calling 515-525-8005 or emailing [email protected]

Types of projects completed: communication stations, ornaments, stockings, snow globes, colored eggs, tie died items, dream boards, miscellaneous holiday related crafts. 
​
Thanks, Krystal, for sharing your gifts and passion with others and helping them use their gifts as well!  

We all know that things don’t always come to us on a silver platter. More often than not, we must work hard to achieve our goals. One fellow, Jared, does exactly that!

Jared has been a part of HOPE Agency since graduating high school. Throughout our time working with Jared, he has accomplished many incredible life goals, the most recent two being getting his driver’s license and buying a car!

Jared is also one to work as hard as he can at his job.  Jared works at two businesses here in Des Moines.  Jared works at Hy-Vee part time and in the last year has landed a dream job of working with children at a local daycare center.  He is very much a loyal employee.  He enjoys being able to meet people at Hy-Vee and being a mentor to the children at the daycare.  One can say that Jared is having a rock star year!  

What an incredible testimony to Jared's dedication to accomplish his goals, with support by his direct support professionals, family and team. And we couldn’t be more excited about his future!  As Jared states, “You are your own boss. No one can tell you what you can and cannot do….so just do it!”

Taylor Harper
​Public Relations student at Simpson College interning for HOPE.
​

Reliability is often hard to come by these days. People are constantly running around either working, doing errands or off trying to find a moment of peace. It’s hard to count on someone if they tend to cancel for whatever situation pops up that day.

Reliability means being able to trust someone to do what they’re expected to do and honor their word. Reliable people will also offer to take more on to help others. Sticking to your word is what builds the trust between you and others and allows for a deeper and more authentic connection.

Now, meet one of our most reliable participants, Aaron! No matter the day, time, or place, Aaron is one that anyone can count on. He works full time and often picks up extra shifts to help when needed. Aaron is a diligent worker, making sure that he is always on task and working efficiently.
           
​At HOPE, we value reliability. If you are someone who is reliable and is interested in volunteering or being a team member, please reach out to us on Facebook for more information! 

​        A new year brings new resolutions, and at HOPE, our goal for 2018 is to become more connected with the community around us.
      Connectedness is something to value. Being connected allows for positive relationships, genuine support systems and allows for someone to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
      Positivity makes living each day more enjoyable for everyone around you. Through having good attitudes, joy and love be a part of you every day, you begin to brighten up other people’s lives. HOPE strives to radiate positivity in the community. Our goal is to make positive connections with our employees and participants so that they look forward to being a part of our family.
          Through connecting with others, it builds a positive support system to lean on. In our lives, we all go through hardships that we can’t always handle on our own. Being connected with a support system is something we value and want to provide for our participants. We build genuine connections with all our members so that they know they are not alone, can lean on us when necessary and have someone to share their experiences with.
         Building connections with other people allows for us to realize just how big the world is. We can grow together and experience life together. We learn to care for each other and support each other, and through that it instills positivity within us.
            And before you go, be sure to make a connection with us by “Liking” us on our Facebook page! 

​Brilliant sunshine. Swirling colorful leaves.  Cool nights just right for cozy sweaters. These are just a few of my favorite things.  So, why am I struggling to stay positive and happy at present?  Could it be that there are just a few too many changes in our profession? Could it be that there is so much hate and destruction continually shared on news media?  Thank goodness for those people in our lives that can “snap, crackle, pop” us out of our funks and get us back on track.  Those people we often coin as “positive”.  But what is being positive exactly? 

Positivity is more than happiness or joy. There are actually 10 forms of positivity.  Ten!  So, surely we can find one that we can relate personally! The following are encompassed into positivity: Joy, Gratitude, Serenity, Interest, Hope (love this one!), Pride, Amusement, Inspiration, Awe and Love.

My challenge this week is to choose one of the forms and look for daily moments that are positive.  For example, I get to see the sun rise out of my window every morning.  It is beautiful.  I am in awe at that moment right before the sun peeps over the horizon and illuminates the sky with colors of the rainbow. And at that moment, all the world is well and I feel peace. Then my kids bust in on my peace and create a new moment.  A moment of amusement!
​
Stay tuned for more tips on how to increase positivism in your life!  I am positive you can!  😊

HOPE is excited to welcome back Emily Nadermann to a position she held when HOPE first started.  Emily has been with HOPE since 2004 and has helped in various capacities over the years, but is coming back to help coordinate services, job develop and support other employees with HOPE.  

Previously, Emily had been in case management and comes with over 17 years experience in this field. 


​Emily shares:
"I have been with HOPE for 13 years. I have enjoyed working from home as a Premier Quality Specialist while staying home with our children. As my baby goes to kindergarten this fall, I am starting a new position with HOPE to help expand the supported employment program while supporting participants and providers to meet their personal goals.  

I look forward to spending more hours in the HOPE office and meeting all of our fabulous providers and participants!
 
In my free time I enjoy exercising, reading, being outside and spending time with friends and family. I live in Grimes with my husband Brian, children Canton (11), Vaughn (10), Briggs (8) and Merrisin (5) and Jack Russell Terrier Howie (14)."

Thanks, Emily, for choosing HOPE to share your talents and gifts!  We are thrilled and grateful to have you with HOPE!

​ “The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” —     Helen Keller

It began with an interest in volunteering, and a love of the zoo.  With support, Brian signed up and completed all paperwork to become part of Zoo Crew, an opportunity for young adults to give of their time at Blank Park Zoo. He attended 2 full days this spring for orientation prior to volunteering 5 hours every Wednesday this summer.  He used an online sign up system to pick his volunteer stations each Wednesday and was encouraged to try all station options.  As part of the experience, Brian enjoyed lunch in the break room with other volunteers, zoo workers and the zoo keepers.  There were times he was able to work with the animals inside the enclosures even.   
 
There were a few different volunteer stations that Brian was able to try:

1. Education:  Showed artifacts and shared facts about several different types of animals all while tracking the number of guests he interacted with as well. 
2. Clean up crew: Wiped down the front of trash cans and picked up trash throughout the entire zoo.
3. Kids kingdom: Worked at the feed shack to pick up plastic feed cups that guests had dropped. 
4. Train: Greeted guests, took tickets, opened gate upon exit and wished guests a great rest if their day. An added bonus was that Brian got the opportunity to ride the train several times while volunteering!
5. Safari kids camp assistant: Greeted kids and parents as they arrived and stayed with the group of 3rd and 4th graders of which he was assigned. 

 
Krystal, a Mentor and Direct Support Professional with HOPE Agency, was instrumental in supporting and encouraging Brian to give of his time and talents.  The following is taken from an interview with Brian about his experience. 

Question:  Can you give me a short summary of your volunteer experience?  
Brian's answer:  "Talking to people and learning about more animals and practice talking to people. Volunteering teaches you skills for work (time to get up, get ready, clock in, practice with responsibility-being where you are supposed to be)."

Question: What was your favorite part? 
Brian's answer: "The train and taking the tickets there. I like the train best because I get to ride sometimes when it's not full.  I also like working at the feed shack because I get to use the grabber to get cups from enclosures so goats don't eat them.  I liked working with the little kids more that I had thought I would.” 

Question:  What was the best learning experience?  
Brian's answer:  "I learned facts about lots of animals. I'm better at this than I thought."

Question: What was your least favorite part? 
Brian's answer:  "Cleanup crew was my least favorite and I really didn't want to do this but since my provider encouraged me to try all stations at least once, I chose to do my best." 
​
Krystal further shared some insights. "He surprised me with how observant he was in finding trash. He collected tons of trash before the zoo even opened. He also reported trash within an animal enclosure.  He opened up and blossomed when working with the little kids. His smile that day was nearly permanent and he took his responsibility of caring for the kids very seriously". 
​
Well done, Brian!