BUILD STRONG BONDS, BOOST SKILLS IN MENTORING PROGRAM
Professional mentorship programs offer inspiration and valuable tools to help employees advance in their careers.
Applications for potential mentors and mentees in the next round of our Glendale Mentoring Program are due by June 27. The goal of this program is to establish mentoring relationships that will help support and advance professional development by offering opportunities for discussions on topics including career growth and institutional knowledge.
Mentees connect with mentors who provide wisdom, career advice and skillset development to help them navigate the next stages of their career. Mentors enjoy giving back, refining their own skills and gaining more understanding of challenges seen through a different lens. Mentees who have completed our city’s program have said their mentors provided valuable guidance and feedback, including learning about “real-world” experience that helped them achieve their goals.
Space is limited for our city’s mentoring program. We will match 20 mentees with 20 mentors for the next sessions. There will be three required events (a program launch, program review and program close) and each mentor/mentee pair should meet for five, onehour sessions throughout the program period. There will be an informational webinar about the program from noon to 1 p.m. on June 4.
Click our city’s Mentoring Program webpage for details on the webinar and to learn more about the program. Check out this video from our City Manager Kevin Phelps touting the benefits of the program.
NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
COMMUNITY SERVICES EARNS AWARD FOR GREAT PARTNERSHIPS
Our Community Services Department stepped into the limelight when the Glendale Elementary School District (GESD) honored it with the 2025 Community Partner Award.
Our dedicated and hardworking Community Services team received this special award during the Glendale Elementary School District Mosaic Marvel Awards Ceremony on May 7 at the GESD district office.
Community Services employees work collaboratively with GESD in many ways, including providing day-today referrals for service to residents who visit the GESD System of Care Center campus, supporting GESD with bi-weekly food box giveaways and hosting a career expo in partnership with Goodwill and GESD.
Community Services also held its 11th Annual Family Resource Fair, where in partnership with GESD, Molina Healthcare of Arizona, First Things First and Chicanos Por La Causa, it connected residents to service providers and partnering organizations. Denis Parcells, the Director of the System of Care Center, nominated our Community Services Department for the GESD honor Extraordinary volunteers and teachers also received different awards at the ceremony.
Accepting the award for Community Services in the photo, from left were Karen Mofford, Housing Administrator, Community Services Director Kimberly Hall and Deputy Director Matt Hess. Congratulations to everyone in Community Services!
GRANT HELPS POLICE ENFORCE SEATBELT, CHILD SAFETY SEAT LAWS
There is great news for our Police Department as it has another important tool in its efforts to protect everyone on the road. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has partnered with the city department and awarded it a national “Click It or Ticket” grant that will help with ongoing work to make Valley roadways safer and protect those traveling on state roadways and highways.
This “Click It or Ticket” grant, which is for $8,000, will assist in supporting overtime for officers and will allow our Police Department to supplement additional resources to the two-week-long “Click It or Ticket” Campaign, which ran May 19 through June 1. During that time, our Police Department engaged in occupant protection traffic enforcement with a “zero tolerance” approach to seatbelt and child safety seat violations.
Our Police and Fire departments work hard every day to advocate for safe practices on the road, including by hosting a Car Seat Safety Event on May 21 at Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center (GRPSTC), where their teams checked residents’ car seats to make sure they were safely outfitted and installed Jeremiah Tosic, a traffic specialist in our Police Department, is seen working at the event in the photo above.
This proactive “Click It or Ticket” police program that our dedicated employees provide has generated much positive media coverage. Check out some of the stories on u r Police Department for obtaining this grant.
MORE GOOD NEWS
PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES ENJOY ICE CREAM, COFFEE TRUCK, OTHER TREATS
Did you know our city has 541 Public Works employees, who work hard every day to provide important services to residents?
Our city thanked these employees for their contributions with fun treats during National Public Works Week May 18-24. Public Works employees are part of our Field Operations, Transportation, Water Services and Engineering departments.
Field Operations employees enjoyed coffee and other drinks from a LQUD Love vendor truck, as well as lunches, ice cream and chair massages other days during the week.
Transportation Department employees were thanked with bagel sandwiches and coffee from Einstein Bros. Bagels, as well as ice cream from Sweet Treats Ice Cream over two days. Our Water Services Department started recognizing its team early by offering breakfast burritos to employees for Arizona Water Professionals Appreciation Week last month. Communications Department
Our Communications Department’s videographers created two videos in honor of this special week, including one showcasing Public Works employees in action and one featuring the great leadership and story of Field Operations Director Michelle Woytenko.
COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT EARNS TWO NATIONAL HONORS
The communications team received two national awards this month when the Public Relations Society of America held its annual Anvil Awards celebration in New York City.
These are highly competitive, top PR and communications industry honors that recognize the very best quality work in the country.
Team Glendale won the prestigious National Anvil Award of Commendation for Media Relations and the esteemed Anvil Award of Excellence for Best Government Team. We’re proud to see their outstanding creativity and strategy recognized on the national stage! Congratulations to our Communications Department!
MORE GREATNESS IN GLENDALE
COMMUNITY SERVICES, OTHER CITY STAFF OFFER HEAT RELIEF SUPPORT
Our Community Services Department has been hard at work offering resources to help residents who are experiencing homelessness, as well as elderly folks, those with health issues and anyone else who is vulnerable stay cool and hydrated during these hot summer months. Our city on May 1 opened several centers where people can cool off, obtain water and access resources to protect themselves from extreme temperatures.
It teamed up with the Arizona Faith Network and Phoenix Rescue Mission to provide case managers and transportation for those who need rides to other locations for services, and to offer respite centers at Glendale Mission & Ministry Center and St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Any residents who need indoor places to cool off and drink water can access our city’s cooling centers at Foothills Library, Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center (FRAC), Glendale Adult Center, Glendale Community Center, Heroes Regional Library, Main Library, O’Neil Community Center, Rose Lane Community Center and Velma Teague Library. Our city also set up hydration stations for people to grab water at our City Courts and at the Glendale Elementary School District (GESD) System of Care Center.
Our Communications Department’s videographers made videos featuring Matt Hess, Deputy director of our Community Services Department, talking about the heat-related services, and one showcasing Deputy City Manager Rick St. John and Police Officer Moroni Mendez urging businesses to keep water on hand to give anyone in need. Check out the videos and media coverage of our city’s heat-related efforts below.
PARKS AND RECREATION MAKES A SPLASH WITH AQUATICS OFFERINGS
Summer is a popular time to soak up fun with family members and friends. Our Parks and Recreation Department is busy providing and publicizing great, safe experiences for residents and visitors at our city’s pools and splash pads.
The Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center (FRAC) and Rose Lane Aquatics Center – as well as the splash pads at Greenway Granada, Heroes Regional, O’Neil, Sunset Palms and Sycamore Grove parks opened over Memorial Day weekend.
You can find more details about our pools and splash pads on the Parks and Recreation Department’s Aquatics webpage. Check out the live video our Communications Department’s videographers created featuring our Video Producer Jessica Mensch interviewing our Recreation Administrator Manny Padia about the pools and splash pads below.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
EXPERIENCE FIRST NATIONS CULTURE AT LIBRARY PERFORMANCE
JUNE 11
Experience the living and evolving traditions of First Nations culture when Native Spirit performs from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Foothills Library.
Native Spirit is a Phoenix-based entertainment company that formed in 1997 as a way to share native culture and dance with various people from all across the United States as well as overseas.
This performance will feature social dances, including hoop dancing, as well as singing and music. Native Spirit’s dancers represent various nations from all across the United States as well as Canada
Tickets will be distributed in the youth department of the library 15 minutes prior to the show on a first-come, first-served basis. Adults and families are welcome to attend.
This show receives support from the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Learn more about the performance on our library’s events webpage.
JUNE 12 & 13
WEAR BLUE TO SUPPORT MEN’S HEALTH
As part of Men’s Health Month, everyone is urged to wear blue on June 12 or 13.
There’s a national campaign to raise awareness about the importance of men’s health.
The campaign goal is to reach men and their families with information on wellness and preventing illnesses. Statistics show men make half as many prevention-related visits to physicians as women.
The campaign goal is to reach men and their families with wellness and prevention information. All city employees are encouraged to send a selfie labeled “Healthy Selfie” or “Wear Blue” to contest@cogaz.onmicrosoft.com by June 19 in order to enter a drawing for a Good Life prize.
JUNE 14
RECLAIM IDENTITY, FIND VOICE IN LIBRARY WORKSHOP
Gain inspiration and explore your creative side at the Empowering Mujeres to Rise-The Power of Our Story: Reclaiming Identity & Voice event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Main Library.
This event will focus on cultural narratives, self-authorship and storytelling as tools of empowerment. Participants will explore how reclaiming their story is a powerful tool for leadership, healing and personal growth. They will dive into how narrative identity plays a crucial role in leadership development, especially within the context of Latina history and culture. Register for the event through the link below.
EMPOWERING MUJERES
MORE CHANCES TO GROW IN GLENDALE
TRACK EXERCISE, OTHER HEALTHY STEPS FOR INCENTIVES
Don’t postpone your exercise, visits to doctor’s appointments, meditation sessions and other healthy actions!
The deadline for earning points for the Wellness Incentive Program earning period is June 15.
That means you must have all your information entered into the system by that day. You can participate in a variety of WellStyles webinars and programs to earn points. For each level you complete in the WellStyles Portal, you earn an entry into the quarterly prize drawing for one of twenty $75 Visa gift cards. Click the link below to log your wellness-related efforts.
WELLNESS PROGRAM
INCLUSION NETWORK TO HOST JUNETEENTH EVENT
Join the Inclusion Network in observance of Juneteenth from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Main Library’s auditorium.
The guest speaker will be Dr. Matthew C. Whitaker, the founder and CEO of Diamond Strategies, LLC., a premier, award-winning, Better Business Bureau A+ rated, certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). He will talk about the history and significance of Juneteenth as part of America’s history.
Diamond Strategies specializes in organizational audits, strategic planning, leadership coaching, employee training, team-building opportunities, community relations and Interest-Based-Resolution (IBR), otherwise known as conflict resolution. Dr. Whitaker has worked with Fortune 500 companies, as well as non-profit organizations and governmental and educational institutions in the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, China and Europe.
To register for this event, visit NEOGOV.
GAIN TIPS FOR REDUCING DISEASE RISKS IN MEN’S HEALTH CLASS
Do you take better care of your car than your body?
You can find out what you need to know about what’s “under the hood” in your body in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Men’s Health webinar from noon to 1 p.m. Participants will get an overview of how to reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as lung, colorectal, prostate and testicular cancers.
Register for this webinar through the link below.
MEN’S HEALTH
EXTRA BENEFITS OF CITY LIFE
NEW CHECK-IN TOOL HELPS BOOST MENTAL WELLNESS
In May, our city observed Mental Health Awareness Month, but there is a great, new city mental wellbeing check-in tool that you can use anytime.
The tool, which our Wellness team created, was designed to help employees better understand the services that are available to boost their mental health.
Here are some tips for using the check-in tool:
Start by reading the front page from left to right.
You’ll see a scale from 1 to 10 with corresponding wellbeing statements. Match your current state with the number that best describes how you're feeling. The services listed to the right of that number can help support your mental wellness.
Our city offers many webinars, tools and other resources to help employees reduce their stress and improve their overall wellbeing.
You can see the mental wellbeing check-in tool on the city’s Good Life Wellness, Stress Less page.
EMPLOYEES WIN COOL PRIZES AT BENEFITS FAIR
Many city employees won prizes at the Benefits, Wellness and Education Fair last month.
These employees took home goodies after their names were randomly selected through their raffle ticket entries:
Fitbit: Devin McMillion (City Court), Ferdie Dela Cruz (Engineering), Keishun Washington (Budget and Finance) and Robert Gallegos (Parks and Recreation)
Massage Gun: Iris Crawford-Bush (City Clerk), Yvonne Arreola (Community Services), Yessi Tellez (Human Resources) and Tanya Martinez (Parks and Recreation)
CamelBak: Danny Esparza (Water Services), Doug Howitt (Field Operations), Erik Lanphier (Water Services), Eva Pierce (Budget and Finance), Laura Hinson (Innovation and Technology), Lindsay Wright (City Attorney), Manny Padia (Parks and Recreation) and Rhonda Henry (Emergency Management)
Pickleball Set and Diamondbacks 34-Ounce Bottle: Imelda Vasquez (City Court)
Cooler Backpack with a Blanket, Mugs and a Charger: Nathan Cooper (Parks and Recreation)
Smart Watch: Susana Marquez (Budget and Finance), Carlos Fuentes (Water Services), Christine McCauley (Community Services) and Edith Garner (Community Services)
Ray-Ban Sunglasses: Irene Garcilazo (Budget and Finance)
