InFocus - Issue 89 - Dec 2017 by City of Goodyear

DECEMBER 2017

December 2017

GOODYEAR RECREATION CAMPUS acre

recreation AQUATIC 30 park C E N T E R facility

Join city staff and consultants for an interactive open house to share the ideas generated by the public.

Thursday, December 7 5 -7 p.m. Goodyear Branch Library Community Room 14455 W. Van Buren Street, Suite C-102

open space

gym

diverse

swim

Recreation

trails

gathering

parks

picnic

Located at the northwest corner of Goodyear Boulevard and Estrella Parkway, the campus goal is to appeal to multiple generations, and will feature an indoor recreation center, outdoor aquatics, and a 30-acre park.

performing arts

Join our mailing list for updates and get project info at:

COMING: SUMMER OF 2020

goodyearaz.gov/reccampus 623.882.3190 | parkplanning@goodyearaz.gov

GOODYEAR CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR December 11 December 18

5 p.m. 6 p.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m.

Work Session Council Meeting Work Session Council Meeting

Merry Christmas,

Tune in to InFocus Live! With the monthly InFocus community magazine comes the online video companion InFocus Live!, an on-demand web show that gives an inside look at life in Goodyear.

happy holidays & Happy New Year

Work Session times are subject to change. Visit goodyearaz.gov/council-calendar to view updates. Council meetings and work sessions are held at Goodyear Justice Center, Goodyear Municipal Complex, 14455 W. Van Buren St., B101. Visit goodyearaz.gov for meeting schedules and to watch City Council meetings.

GOODYEAR CITY COUNCIL View past editions of the magazine at goodyearaz.gov/infocus and watch previous episodes of the show at goodyearaz.gov/infocuslive ON THE COVER: (left to right) Julio Vazquez, Kaitlyn Neff, and Brian Ellison are recent graduates of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LEAD program, which develops residents to be more effective in community building.

InFocus Magazine

Top row (left to right): Bill Stipp , Joanne Osborne, Joe Pizzillo, and Brannon Hampton. Bottom row (left to right): Sheri Lauritano, Mayor Georgia Lord, and Vice Mayor Wally Campbell.

goodyearaz.gov/InFocus

Editor: Sherine Zaya Assistant Editor: Dawn Reid Writer: Amy Bolton Photographer: Geoff Kinnerk Layout Production: Sarna OBrien-Trayner Questions or comments, email: communications@goodyearaz.gov

From the Mayor

s your Mayor, I have the privilege of serving as an ambassador for the city of Goodyear at the local, regional, state, and national levels. I often travel to, and meet with, elected representatives and community leaders from other areas to learn about successful tools, resources, and strategies being utilized elsewhere that could potentially improve our Mayor community, and I am able to Georgia Lord share ideas and information about all of the wonderful things happening in Goodyear that might be beneficial to others. One of my greatest points of pride, and something that other communities are always very impressed by, is our broad volunteer base. These incredible volunteers contribute their tremendous time, talents, and resources to make the city of Goodyear a better place in which to live, work, and play. The thousands of hours donated each year save our taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. In fact, last year alone, the generous contributions of our volunteers saved our city nearly half a million dollars. That is A LOT of money! When I share this information with representatives from other communities, they are often galvanized into action and determined to inspire volunteers within their own communities to emulate our success. The commitment and investment made by these volunteers is extraordinary, and significantly improves the quality of life and sense of community enjoyed by each and every Goodyear resident. This holiday season we are especially thankful for the gift of our volunteers, and for all that you do to make Goodyear great!

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 62.6 million people volunteered at least once in 2015. The four most popular volunteer activities were:

1 #2 #3 # 4 #

service

Fundraising or selling items to raise money.

26.2%

Collecting, preparing, distributing /serving food.

23.6%

Engaging in general labor or transportation.

20.3%

Tutoring or teaching.

18.2%

Volunteering can help reduce stress; combat depression; promote mental sharpness; establish human connection; create a sense of personal fulďŹ llment; instill conďŹ dence; and serve as a method to explore an interest or test out a career.

Council Corner

T Council Member Sheri Lauritano

he city of Goodyear Fire Department has joined forces with four other West Valley cities in a regional effort to provide proactive care to our community members by utilizing firefighter skills and experiences.

The Community Paramedicine program identifies frequent, nonemergent callers of the 911 emergency system to give them the level of care necessary to reduce their reliance on emergency medical services. These members of the community are often faced with health issues such as diabetes, asthma, or other chronic conditions, and could benefit from preventative care. Firefighter paramedics reach out to the frequent non-emergent

callers to schedule house calls and visits so that they can evaluate the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s healthcare needs, help navigate the healthcare system, advocate for the patient, and connect them to community resources. The pilot program was supported through grant funding and uses existing infrastructure of the fire departments to provide the health services and resource. When surveyed, 100 percent of both patients and paramedics viewed this program as valuable or excellent, proving the need for the program and the quality of service provided to our residents. The Community Paramedicine crews are improving the quality of life for residents all across the city and the West Valley, and I could not be prouder to be a member of the Goodyear City Council. December 2017

Volunteerism in the city of Goodyear by Amy Bolton and Carrie Lumia

Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) members

VOLUNTEERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; IMPACT This time of year brings reflection, and the promise of new beginnings can inspire a desire to contribute to a bigger cause. Volunteering is one way people choose to give back, turning that appreciation into action. There are so many reasons why people volunteer. Some enjoy finding a new way to participate in the community while some use volunteerism to find meaning and a sense of belonging. Yet others volunteer to get out of the house and make new friends.

Department

Adopt-a-Street/Park 1,234 Ballpark 7,308 City Clerk

162

City Court

111

Development Services

246

In the last fiscal year ending in June 2017, hundreds of people stepped forward to give the city of Goodyear 24,671 hours of their valuable time â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which equated to more than $580,000 in donated labor costs.

Engineering 74

We thank every volunteer for making the choice to spend their time to work beside our city staff. The value our volunteers add to the city simply cannot be captured in hours or dollars.

Human Resources

307

Information Technology

104

If you feel inspired and want to get involved by volunteering, submit an application at goodyearaz.gov/volunteer or call 623-882-7807.

Finance 168 Fire Corps/Fire Cadets

Parks & Recreation

goodyearaz.gov/InFocus

3,175

8,161

Police 1,942 Special Events

Total 4

Volunteer Hours

1,679

24,671

What makes someone step forward as a community leader? by Amy Bolton

his month, we look at volunteers and the impact they have on the community. What makes someone step forward to offer the gift of his or her time? I met some truly amazing people who all have one thing in common â&#x20AC;&#x201C; their desire to serve. Read on to learn more about what motivates them to give back to the community and how you can get more involved in our wonderful city.

story continued on page 6

LEAD graduating class of 2017

December 2017

continued from page 5

For 12 weeks at the beginning of the year, a group of 40 people who live and work in Goodyear come together to learn about the city. The reasons they give for wanting to be there range from just plain old curiosity to making good on a personal pledge

to become more involved in the community. These inquisitive and civic-minded people are participants in the city’s annual Goodyear Leadership and Development program, or Goodyear LEAD for short. The program is a series of classes, offered free of charge to residents and people who work in Goodyear, that explores a different aspect of city government. LEAD’s mission is to provide an in-depth look at how local government operates. I recently interviewed three Goodyear LEAD Class of 2017 graduates about why they decided to sign up for the 20-hour program, what they got out of it, and what advice they might have for anyone else who might be considering joining the Class of 2018.

Brian: Local Business Owner “I thought I might want to run for office,” Brian tells me when I ask him why he decided to volunteer his time in this way. “I wanted to be a part of the solution and find a way to give back.” As a business owner and family man, Brian is active and involved in the community. When he saw the opportunity to enroll in Goodyear LEAD, he jumped at the chance. “I wanted to understand what was actually involved in all of the footwork that goes into delivering city services and resolving concerns,” Brian explains. “What I experienced was a true sense of what is happening in the city and how we can each have an effect on our city’s future.” Brian’s favorite part of his experience in Goodyear LEAD was having access to the various department directors, who are the presenters in the classes. He was surprised at how available they were. While a run for public office might not be in his future, Brian told me that his investment in the class has helped him not only gain a better sense of his community, he has been able to help friends and neighbors by sharing what he learned. “I’ve become a source of information, so I feel like I’m really adding to the strong sense of community I feel in Goodyear.” What advice would Brian offer our loyal InFocus readers who might consider applying for Goodyear LEAD? “Absolutely do this. Be involved and learn reality over rumor. It’s an eye opening experience.”

APPLYING FOR GOODYEAR LEAD

If this sounds like a program you might be interested in, take the next step. You never know who you’ll meet, what you’ll learn or how you might just change your future. The deadline to apply is approaching quickly, so act now, because as Julio said, we will fill every seat in the room. To provide the best experience and personalized attention, Goodyear LEAD is limited to 40 participants. Applicants must live or work in the city of Goodyear, be at least 18 years of age, and are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Sessions are from 6 - 8 p.m. on consecutive Tuesdays beginning Jan. 9, 2018, and attendees must complete 18 of the 20 class hours to be considered an alumni. To view a schedule of classes and to apply, visit goodyearaz.gov/LEAD, call 623-882-7782 or email Lauren.Valencia@goodyearaz.gov. 6

goodyearaz.gov/InFocus

Julio: New to Goodyear As someone who was a new resident to the city of Goodyear, Julio didn’t know much about the community before enrolling in the program. Learning more about the city really appealed to him. But what really surprised him about the class is something I found amusing. “The brochure advertised that it would fill up, but I thought that it was a gimmick.” It’s true, our 2017 class was full and from what I hear, there is a bit of a waiting list, so (in my best fast talking radio announcer voice), apply now if you’re really interested. If that wasn’t enough of a call to action, Julio wants you to know one thing: You should enroll “if you want to know how your taxes are spent, or if you have any desire to know just how hard the men and women elected work.” I wanted to know what Julio thought was the most interesting thing he learned. He offered this: “How few people recycle correctly. For example, don’t throw your grocery bags in the recycle; bring them back to the store. They act like gum in an engine.” The experience really had an impact on Julio. Quite unexpectedly he shared with me that, as a result of his participation in the program, he has been inspired to leave the private sector and pursue a career in government. You will certainly find that we are a dedicated bunch of people who work hard out of a shared passion to make the community we live in better for our families and future generations. The work is quite rewarding because we often have the opportunity to interact with the people we serve.

Kaitlyn: Government Professional “I learned about the Goodyear LEAD program through the city’s InFocus magazine,” Kaitlyn tells me. I smile because it’s always great to hear the work we put into the magazine really does make an impact on people. “I work in state government, and I had been curious to learn more about the continuum of government at the local level, so when I read about the program, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to pursue that goal.” And pursue she did. She points out an interesting benefit to the class that isn’t even part of the curriculum. “I loved learning about the variety and depth of knowledge that the other participants brought to the room. My fellow LEAD alumni represent industries from information technology, small businesses, corporate management, political candidates, and everything in between. Some neat people live in Goodyear, and I enjoyed getting to know them all.” What really caught her attention was the session on economic development. “The department carefully works hard to get the best businesses in the best places to make Goodyear’s quality of life so wonderful. I had no idea how much work went into this type of city planning. Goodyear is growing and thriving, and looking toward the city’s future is exhilarating! I love this city!” Really, we did not pay Kaitlyn to make this endorsement. Her enthusiasm for the program is genuine and comes from a love of learning. She shared with me her favorite experience has been the opportunities that have opened up for her, even after graduating. “We have been lucky to tour the 911 call center, ride along with a Goodyear police officer, and tour the city’s economic assets. The LEAD fun doesn’t end after the program!” December 2017

Coaching Kids, Building Memories

iguel has been a volunteer girls’ volleyball coach for five years, and before that, he was an assistant. In his professional life, he has held positions as a middle and high school teacher, and worked as a school administrator. Miguel also is a dad. When asked what makes a great coach, he said: “You have to love kids, especially other people’s kids.” Some of the girls Miguel coaches have been with him for five years. “To see them be successful, and to shine…that amazes me,” he said. “When I see these players achieve something new, that moment, well that’s powerful.”

goodyearaz.gov/InFocus

Become a Volunteer Sports Coach Make a huge difference in the lives of local children and help them create great memories by volunteering to be a sports coach. You don’t need any special experience – just a passion to help kids, some patience, and time. To become a coach, you must be 18 years old; pass a fingerprint clearance; pass a background check; and abide by the Code of Conduct.

For more information and to apply, visit

goodyearaz.gov/rec or call 623-882-7525.

Giving Back by Taking Tickets by Amy Bolton and Dawn Reid

“

All of my life, I’ve worked in offices, and I decided I wanted to

do something different,” says Barb Finley. “When I heard about the ballpark, I thought it sounded fun.

”

arb is retired and has been a resident of Goodyear in the Estrella community for the last eight years. When she arrived in the city, she wanted to find a way to give back to the community. That’s when she discovered the joys of volunteering at Goodyear Ballpark. “I love the fans. They come from all over the Valley, neighboring states, and it seems each year that more and more fans come from Ohio,” said Barb. “They’re all so excited and they can’t wait for the game to start.” Although Barb has done every job available to ballpark volunteers, taking tickets is her absolute favorite because she can see and interact with all the fans.

Become a Ballpark Volunteer With events such as spring training, tournaments, graduations, and festivals happening year-round, volunteers play a valuable role in making sure guests have a five-star experience at Goodyear Ballpark. If you have a love of people and enjoy spending time outdoors, Goodyear Ballpark might just have the right volunteer opportunity for you!

GOODYEAR BALLPARK VOLUNTEERS Donated 7,308 hours in Fiscal Year 2017 Represent 30% of city’s total volunteerism Contribute $172,000 worth of their time

“I’m quiet and not typically outgoing,” Barb confesses. Taking tickets puts her in a position to meet new people and talk about a common interest: baseball! “I really love living in Goodyear,” Barb says, and it shows.

To get started as a Ballpark volunteer,

Next time you are at the ballpark and see a ticket taker, greeter, or usher, you are seeing the generosity of our wonderful volunteers like Barb.

information/job-volunteeropportunities.

apply online at goodyearbp.com/ballpark-

December 2017

Making a Difference in Goodyear

or the last ten years, the city of Goodyear has been setting aside the fourth Saturday of October to join the largest national day of giving back through community service – Make a Difference Day. Across the country, volunteers unite under the common belief everyone has the ability to do something that improves their community and every contribution truly makes a difference.

The event has grown and this year, the city hosted nearly 400 volunteers who donated more than 1,600 hours of service in a single day. That is the equivalent of one person working 30 hours every week of the year with no time off. This year’s projects included: ■ Painting 122 fire hydrants in Estrella ■ Removing brush and trees ■ Painting at the Fire Academy ■ Planting a vegetable garden at Fire Station #184

Thank you to all of our

■ APS

■ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ■ Desert Edge High School ■ Eagle Scout candidates Luke Christensen; Scotlyn Davis; Austin Roberts and Jacob Taylor ■ Estrella Foothills High School Key Club ■ Franklin Pierce University ■ La Joya High School JAG (Jobs for Americas Graduates) ■ Palm Valley Church ■ The Church at Litchfield Park ■ The Honey Foundation ■ The Key Clubs of Agua Fria, Millennium and Verrado High Schools

■ Painting fencing, railings, gates at city parks

■ The Odyssey Preparatory Academy – Goodyear Campus

■ Distributing safety messages on door hangers to 2,026 homes and 628 apartment units

■ Verrado High School Student Government and National Honor Society

■ Painting the homes of senior Goodyear residents

■ Western Sky Middle School

To find ways to volunteer with the city of Goodyear, visit goodyearaz.gov/volunteer; call 623-882-7807; or email gyvolunteers@goodyearaz.gov.

participating volunteer groups

goodyearaz.gov/InFocus

Filling Needs in Goodyear

ach year, the city’s Fill-A-Need program helps dozens of Goodyear families who are experiencing financial difficulty and could use a little help during the holidays.

Funds are collected to provide the exact items each family needs, while local businesses offer donations such as toiletries, school supplies, and clothing. City employees and community volunteers donate their time for a massive gift-wrapping session, load gifts into a truck, and deliver to the very thankful families. In 2016, the program provided clothing, toys, food, and nonperishable items to 200 children from 40 Goodyear families.

One hundred percent of donations go directly to these local families. Especially welcome is the support of schools, businesses, clubs and organizations who want to make an impact locally and are looking for a partner to identify local families in need. Donations needed include wrapping paper; new, unwrapped toys; and monetary contributions, which are used to purchase gifts and supplies for the families. To learn more, visit goodyearaz.gov/fillaneed, call 623-882-7066, or email Mario.Saldamando@goodyearaz.gov.

#GTK Good To Know Adopt-a-Street

f you’re interested in volunteering in Goodyear but not quite sure

To acknowledge these efforts,

how to help, consider the city’s Adopt-a-Street program. Private

the city posts signs on the team’s

corporations, non-profit or for-profit groups, and clubs and

assigned street segment, identifying

organizations all help keep Goodyear beautiful by collecting litter

the group or organization that

and debris along city streets.

maintains the area.

City staff provides safety training, litter bags and safety vests, and

For more information or to get

picks up the full litter bags. Teams commit to volunteering on their

started with Adopt-a-Street,

assigned street segment at least four times a year.

call 623-882-7807.

THIS STREET HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY

NAME OF YOUR ORGANIZATION, GROUP OR BUSINESS GOES HERE CALL 623-882-7807 FOR ADOPT A STREET INFORMATION

December 2017

Comforting and Caring Community by Amy Bolton

Comforting Concierges

Hope and Healing

It was a small moment that brought Gloria into Duane’s life. “I’m a retired veterinarian, so when I saw her walking her dog, I said hello,” Duane tells me with a gleam in his eye and a huge smile. Gloria is his wife, and the couple, who call PebbleCreek home, volunteer at the Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear.

He had Stage IV cancer.

“We came on the day the hospital opened in 2003 on a tour they offered to the public,” Gloria recalls. “That day we signed up as volunteers and this has been our job ever since. It’s one we enjoy – making the hospital more comfortable.” As the West Valley’s only Level 1 trauma center, there are any number of reasons people arrive at the hospital. Director of Service Excellence and Volunteer Engagement for Abrazo West Campus, Dawn Gielau founded the concierge service to help put patients and their loved ones at ease during what may already be a difficult day. “Our volunteers find creative solutions to do whatever they can to brighten the patient’s experience,” Dawn says. Both natural caretakers, Gloria and Duane say they use their age to an advantage. “The younger people see us as a parent figure. We’re older and offer a calming influence because we’ve been there,” Gloria shares. “And the older folks, well they see us as peers,” said Duane, who is the jokester of the two. For their years of dedicated service, both have earned the President’s Award – the highest honor reserved for volunteers who have donated at least 4,000 hours. There seems to be no stopping the couple. “Once you start volunteering, you get more out of it than you give,” Gloria says. Duane adds, “It’s rewarding to your soul.”

What was supposed to be the time of their lives, enjoying retirement in sunny Arizona suddenly turned into a fight for her husband’s life. Meet Katie. She is a volunteer with the Goodyear H.O.P.E. Team, the non-profit organization that supports patients at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). Katie and her husband would come to learn the exhaustion, uncertainty, and fear that comes with facing such a serious diagnosis. But, they also experienced compassion and hope after they decided to pursue treatment at CTCA. “People here are so kind and caring. They gave everything we asked for,” she says of her seven-week stay in the CTCA facility. Katie and her husband recently marked a major milestone by having his name added to a massive tree of life that depicts the names of patients who are celebrating five years as cancer survivors. Drawing on her experience, Katie is now giving back, comforting cancer patients as a volunteer in Goodyear. Her desire to serve comes from a deep sense of empathy, knowing just how important it is to have that person hold your hand, reassure you, or give you a knitted hat to warm your newly bald head. “The HOPE Team volunteers at Cancer Treatment Centers of America graciously give of their time to provide comfort to the patients we serve. This may include everything from a warm blanket to a warm hug, and very often these services evolve into lasting friendships,” says Larry Atkinson, HOPE Team Manager for Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Goodyear. “What I love about those who volunteer in our program is that through this experience, they are just as impacted as the patients they are helping. Many volunteers want to give even more of their time realizing that by giving to others, they themselves are receiving so much.”

Coming Together 12

To achieve the city’s vision to be a great place to live, work and raise a family, and to promote a healthy lifestyle, it takes the partnership of the healthcare community and gracious volunteers like Katie, Gloria, and Duane. We are truly fortunate to have so many people in Goodyear comforting and caring for our city.

goodyearaz.gov/InFocus

Inspired to Take Action In the preceding pages, you’ve read about some extraordinary individuals who have chosen to give one the most precious gifts – their time – to help others. We hope this has inspired you to take action and lend a helping hand where and when you can. Whether it’s donating your time to the city – which ranges from recreation activities and office work, to sitting on a board or commission – or an organization that aligns with a cause you’re passionate about, we encourage you to consider volunteering. Below are some points and helpful information to assist you with your decision.

HOW TO BECOME A CITY OF GOODYEAR VOLUNTEER

 Apply

All applications to volunteer with the city are taken online at goodyearaz.gov/volunteer. Look for the link ‘Volunteer Application’ on the left side menu.

 Match

The city’s volunteer coordinator will review the application, and work to match your interests, skills, and availability with the existing opportunities in the city.

Five Benefits of Volunteering In addition to learning something new and meeting new people, volunteering has a variety of benefits that truly can only be realized by finding purpose through service. Here are just a few of those rewards:

5 # 4 # 3 # 2 # 1 #

Healthy Distraction: Volunteering can take your mind off your own difficulties, in a healthy way. Test Drive a Career: Unsure if a career change is right for you? Test it first, riskfree, by volunteering. Sense of Accomplishment: Work toward a common goal or for a bigger cause to feel more fulfilled. Strengthen Your Community: Serving locally improves the area where you live, so you’ll see the results! You Make a Difference: You are serving as an example for your friends, family, and the community.

 Verify

Once a match is found, the process continues with an interview and background check, including fingerprinting. After successfully verifying a compatible background, the volunteer meets the department.

TIPS FOR VOLUNTEERING If you have never volunteered before, or if it has been a while since your last service project, here are a few tips to help set you up for success:

 Assess what causes or initiatives are important to you. What are you interested in learning?

 Review your skillset. What are you great at doing? What do you enjoy doing?

 Define the amount of time you are willing to devote before you get started.

 Ask friends and family about their volunteerism experiences. Listen, learn then leap into action!

December 2017

Traffic Safety Tip This month: Two-Way Left Turn Lane

rizona law (ARS 28-751) states the driver of a motor vehicle shall not drive in the two-way left turn lane, except when preparing for, or making a left turn from, or onto, the roadway. Some drivers like to use the center two-way left turn lane as a “staging lane” where the car sits in the lane after turning left, while waiting for a break in traffic in order to proceed. This is illegal and dangerous!