I read an article recently about how organizations respond to the “back to school” phenomenon. It talked about how this is a time to re-focus and re-affirm our goals and our projects. Kind of like…. Let’s get back to business…. summer was fun, but let’s get back at it.
WOW!
Interhab
I’m so proud of all we have accomplished thus far and excited for what is to come. Our accomplishments are huge, especially investing nearly $185,000 into increased salaries and $1million in our health insurance package. WOW! We were able to make this investment because of the diligence and creativity of every department to give us enough margin to have the cash to reinvest. We will continue to look at these items and work toward continuously improving and advancing our wage rates.
Feedback
I hope this column is helpful to your understanding of all the many facets of Cottonwood. If you have read the column, I would love to hear from you. Shoot me an email at chimmelberg@cwood.org or a message on Teams. I genuinely want to know if it is making an impact. I welcome your feedback on how to improve it, what content is helpful and your ideas on how we can keep employees involved and engaged in all things Cottonwood.
What’s Happening?
• The Best of Lawrence awards will be announced and we are excited to be in the top 5 in Best Non-Profit, Best Place to Work, Best Social Media, Best Staffing Agency and Best Administrative Professional.
• The Leadership Interhab group will be finishing their sessions at Cottonwood on September 10. We are excited to host the group of twenty-six emerging leaders. And we are so proud of our own representatives, Zoe SurpriseMurphy, Connie Wade, Courtney Herron and Lynette Goldizen for participating in the inaugural event.
• Minimasters, our annual mini golf party will be held on Thursday, 9/25/25 from 5-7p.m. Look for reservation information shortly. It will be a fun evening for all.
• The Interhab Governmental Affairs retreat occurs in mid-September. This retreat is where we work with our associates from across Kansas to finalize our legislative platform for 2026. Cottonwood is also fortunate to have registered lobbyist, Gavin Kriedler, on contract to also represent Cottonwood’s interests specifically in Topeka.
Sharon Vokins - September 1st
Christine Clement - September 2nd
Sharon Vokins - September 1st
Christine Clement - September 2nd
Elena Fogle - September 2nd
Elena Fogle - September 2nd
Amelia Neuhaus - September 2nd
Jarrod Brown - September 4th
Amelia Neuhaus - September 2nd
Jarrod Brown - September 4th
Duane Turnbull - September 12th
Melissa Rowland - September 13th
Duane Turnbull - September 12th
Melissa Rowland - September 13th
Catherine Hutton - September 14th
Russona McGruder - September 20th
Catherine Hutton - September 14th
Russona McGruder - September 20th
Zane Hayden - September 23rd
Zane Hayden - September 23rd
Susan Rogers - September 23rd
Susan Rogers - September 23rd
Keri Rodriquez - September 24th
Sally Trujillo - September 24th
Keri Rodriquez - September 24th
Sally Trujillo - September 24th
Allie Faughn - September 24th
Allie Faughn - September 24th
Delilah Tidzump - September 25th
Delilah Tidzump - September 25th
Heather Thies - September 30th
Heather Thies - September 30th
Robyn H. September 4th
Caleb S. September 6th
Dawn D. September 15th
Tristin B. September 15th
Jamie M. September 19th
Wade E. September 20th
Shirley T. September 21st
Felisha G. September 22nd
Donna R . September 22nd
Beth K. September 26th
COTTONWOOD, INC. PARKING LOT DESIGNATIONS
Building I staff and visitors should park in the front lot. Building I staff may also park on the west side of Building I. If you carpool with someone from Cottonwood who works in a less congested parking area, please park the vehicle in that area. If your office is in Building I and park in the front lot, we ask that you leave the visitor spots and first couple of rows open for visitors. This is a standard courtesy for most service-related companies (see map).
Building II North staff should park in the southeast part of the Building II parking area.
Building II South staff are requested to first fill up the parking lots to the west and south and then overflow into the Building III lot. (see map)
Building III staff should park in the Building III lot.
ALL TEMPORARY STAFF, regardless of their building assignment, must park at the far south end of the Building III parking lot. It is the supervisor ’s responsibility to make sure temps working in their areas are parked in the proper lot.
Cottonwood-owned Vehicles have several designated parking spaces throughout the facility parking lots. These spaces, painted green and/or marked, should be used for Cottonwood-owned vehicles only. Please do not park Cottonwood-owned vehicles in any other space other than the space designated.
Residential staff are requested to park in any space that is well lit and easily visible from the street, preferably in the front lot or east of Building II. Please do not park along the north curb in the front lot as this makes it difficult for buses/vans to make their turn. Residential staff may also park in the visitor parking area immediately to the east of Building I if there are no other spaces available.
The Management Team thanks you for your part in using our parking resources in the most efficient manner.
HANDICAPPED/ACCESSIBLE
1st 2nd & 3rd Place will be announced Wednesday, September 3.
LET’S
TUESDAY, September 9th Cookies!
WEDNESDAY, September 10th
UpLift Coffee! 7:30am-8:45am
THURSDAY, September 11th Ice Cream Truck 3pm-4:15pm
T han k you DSP’s We appr eciate YOU!
Cody
Chris
Debra
Billy
Daniel
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
SEPTEMBER 2025
1ST Labor Day - Cottonwood Closed
9TH DSP Week - Cookies!
10TH DSP Week - Uplift Coffee 7:30am-8:45am
11TH DSP Week - Ice Cream Truck! 3pm-4:15pm
25TH Minimasters 5-7pm Bldg.3
26TH Art Show 5:30pm-7:30pm (Lawrence Arts Center)
Staff Recruitment Awards Program
1. At completion of the long application - $10
2. At hire + orientation + satisfying background check - $100
3. Upon first 90 days + completed initial trainings - $200
If the referring employee quits during the above process, rewards stop immediately.
Only one referring employee can get credit for an applicant: however, each referring employee can get credit for an unlimited number of applicants.
Supervisors are not eligible to receive any rewards on applicants they directly supervise.
The Human Resources Department will be responsible for carrying out this program and for answering any questions that may arise.
NEW JobLink Position –
Congratulations to Penny Hotchkiss for becoming JobLink’s first Employment Consultant III (Team Lead). Penny’s new responsibilities will include assisting with the training and mentoring of fellow Employment Consultants, providing service and documentation quality assurance checks, as well as providing most of our job seeker assessment services.
CONGRATULATIONS!
SEPTEMBER 2025
How/why did you opt to hire someone with a disability, and how has this benefited your company? We were asked and I instantly jumped on yes. Creating opportunities for all is in our Eudora Parks & Recreation Department mission statement and this truly is just another opportunity for us to grow. Having Jason working here has been a day a week that we al walk away smiling from.
How has JobLink been helpful in supporting you in your hiring decision? They are great! We communicate well if there is ever anything we need to discuss, and they do such a good job making sure their clients are where they are supposed to be and doing what they said they would do. Always friendly and professional. From the beginning, “interview” chats to now, they have always been so great to work with.
How would you describe Jason as an employee? Although he and I both like to laugh and have a good time, he is a great worker and truly brings smiles and joy to all of the departments faces somehow every week. We love seeing him around even when he isn’t working. He has never missed a shift and if he is going to be out of town or away, communicates ahead of time. He does his tasks well, asks for help if needed. We have asked his opinion in staff meetings, and he has great input. He fits in well with all of us here!
What would you like to share with other organizations regarding supported employment and hiring individuals with disabilities? WE have benefitted just as much, if not more, from hiring Jason. The smiles, laughs, and his dependability are just some of the perks. By just giving a few tasks, some staff shirts/swag, we wanted him to feel a part of our team and I’d say Jason is a proud Eudora Parks & Rec employee. He wears some of his staff shirts around town on days he is not working, and we love it. He is a loyal, dedicated community member and we are proud to have him. Highly recommend organizations do this and see how much everyone becomes just a little better of a human by just offering an opportunity to someone. Worth.it.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW JOBS!
Albert 22 years!
Richard 15 years! Grant 3 years!
Michael 9 years!
Stephanie 3 years!
Kendra 16 years!
CORE NEWS
September 2025
CORE SPOTLIGHT
ANNETTE GIVENS
Annette has been using her Individual outing times over the summer to try coffee from a different coffee shop around Lawrence each week. One week she even took her boyfriend with her to try Dutch Bros.
Staff thought she would be a great person to start our monthly spotlight with because she displays kindness to others, loves to go out on outings, enjoys activities at CORE and is the first person to jump at the chance to try something new. We are blessed to have Annette in CORE.
#outinggoals
June: 141
July: 134
August: 143
Summer has been full of amazing outings all over Lawrence, KC and Topeka
Having fun no matter where we are
A Friendship Reconnected
Wendi Georgie (Exec Asst) and her mom, recently visited John at Retirement. John went to church with Wendi when she was growing up. Her dad bonded with John and he would often come to dinner with them after church, and her dad would pick him up and bring him home after church. Wendi’s dad thought John was so wise and enjoyed conversations with him. It was a beautiful friendship.
And speaking of friendships.....
Donald is making and selling friendship bracelets for $7. You can find Donald in CORE.
National Cholester ol Education Month
September is National Cholesterol Education Month, an important time to reflect on the state of our heart health and take proactive steps to manage our cholesterol levels. Cholesterol, a waxy substance found in our blood, plays a crucial role in building healthy cells, but too much of it can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease and stroke. As awareness grows, it is crucial to understand the statistics, the importance of cholesterol management, and the rising trend of high cholesterol among younger adults.
The Growing Concern
Recent statistics reveal a troubling trend: high cholesterol levels are increasingly affecting younger adults. According to the American Heart Association, about 7% of children aged 6 to 11 and 8% of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have high cholesterol levels. Alarmingly, adults aged 20 to 39 are also seeing a rise in high cholesterol rates, with over 30% of this age group now facing elevated cholesterol levels.
This uptick in cholesterol levels among younger populations can be attributed to several factors, including poor diet, lack of physical activity, and rising obesity rates. With more young adults adopting sedentary lifestyles and consuming high-fat, high-sugar diets, the risk of developing high cholesterol and associated health problems has become a significant concern.
Understanding Cholesterol
Cholesterol is carried through the bloodstream by two main types of lipoproteins: low -density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is often termed “bad cholesterol” because high levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease. In contrast, HDL is known as “good cholesterol” because it helps remove LDL from the bloodstream.
Optimal cholesterol levels are crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health. The American Heart Association recommends that total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL, LDL less than 100 mg/dL, and HDL above 60 mg/dL. Elevated levels of LDL and low levels of HDL can significantly increase the risk of heart disease. Check out this video from YouTube to visualize good and bad cholesterol.
Steps to Lower Cholesterol
Fortunately, managing cholesterol levels can be achieved through lifestyle changes and, when necessary, medication. Here are some effective strategies to help lower cholesterol:
1. Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on eating foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Incorporate healthy fats from sources like avocados, nuts, and olive oil, while reducing intake of saturated and trans fats found in processed and fried foods.
2. Increase Physical Activity: Engaging in regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, jogging, or cycling, can help raise HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight or obese can negatively impact cholesterol levels. Losing excess weight through a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise can improve cholesterol levels and overall heart health.
4. Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Smoking cessation and moderate alcohol consumption can improve HDL cholesterol levels and reduce overall cardiovascular risk.
5. Monitor Your Cholesterol Levels: Regular check -ups with a healthcare provider can help track cholesterol levels and assess risk factors. This is particularly important for younger adults, who may not exhibit symptoms but could still be at risk.
