IN THE NEWS: JCCEO IS 'MEMBER OF THE YEAR'

Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity
Agency Newsletter
Volume 14 Issue 2 May 2010
IN THE NEWS: JCCEO IS ‘MEMBER OF THE YEAR’
Transportation and Supply Manager Margaret Robinson
(c) and Health/Mental Health Coordinator
Yoland Reese receive plaque from Sam’s Club 8247
Store Manager A. J. Parke.
JCCEO Facilities, Maintenance, &
Transportation and Head Start-Early
Head Start staff took a few moments
on March 30, 2010 to eagerly accept
Sam’s Club 8247’s plaque designating
the JCCEO agency its “2009 Member
of the Year!”
The JCCEO-Sam’s Club relationship
has developed over the years into a
mutually beneficial partnership. Sam’s
Hands for Haiti
Art Contest
...was recently held to help children
understand and talk about
natural disasters and their safety.
Sponsored by the Museum of
Urban Art in Birmingham, all
JCCEO Head Start preschool
children were eligible to participate.
FOCUS congratulates
CALEB ETHERIDGE,
(Cont’d Page 11)
Club enjoys the advantages of a loyal
and outstanding customer. JCCEO
enjoys Sam’s Club’s low prices, customer
care, product variety and quality,
and bulk quantities. JCCEO previously
received a “Member of the Month”
recognition from the popular business.
Special thanks and kudos were given
to the JCCEO Facilities, Maintenance, &
Transportation and Head Start-Early
Head Start staff for the marvelous internal
and external customer service!
A match made on Lakeshore Parkway!
Front row: Sam’s Club Marketing Team Leader
Sanjanetta Battle with Margaret Robinson,
Theresa King Smith, and Yoland Reese. Back row: Mr.
Parke, Sam’s Club representative with
Charles Varallo, Felix Randall, and David Jones.
Dr. Moore, CDS Director, proudly displays Caleb’s winning artwork. He is surrounded
by other impressive contest entries from JCCEO Head Start students.
EXPANDING OUR HORIZON:
JCCEO HOSTS STATEWIDE
EHS CONFERENCE
An EHS expansion training miniconference,
presented March 24-26,
2010 by the Alabama Head Start
Training and Technical Assistance
State Office, and hosted by JCCEO
HS-EHS at the HS Festival Center,
attracted 70 participants from across
the state. The three-day conference
provided expert training on a variety
of topics concerning, to name a few,
ideal environments for infants and
toddlers, curricula, assessment tools,
staff training, shaken baby syndrome,
family child care and home-based
options, managing child care contracts,
and more. Capping the conference
on the last day was a roundtable
discussion, giving participants
an opportunity to further query the
experts and talk about EHS objectives
and concerns.
Inside FOCUS
2 Director’s Desk
Staff Changes at the “J”
3 Noisy Wylam
Swinging Seniors
4 Obama’s in the
House!
Whistles for
Whitaker
5 Males, Mission, & More
6 Thanks JCCEO!
7 A Slam Dunk for JCCEO!
8 Mayo Magic
9 JCCEO Goes to the Fair
10 Keys to Happiness
11 From the Ground Up
12 “J”-Walking
It’s a Laughing Matter
Ask Personnel

The FOCUS newsletter is
produced for the staff,
Board of Directors, and
friends of the Jefferson
County Committee for
Economic Opportunity.
CHIEF EDITOR:
Viola (“Vie”) E. Mims
CONTRIBUTING EDI-
TORS:
Administrative Division
Geri Collins
Child Development
Services Division
Aisha Abdullah
Sandra Abston
Linda Ford
Diane Gibson
Cotelia Hill
Patricia Linson
Othessa Morris
Earl Williams
Linda Williams
Community Services
Division
Dorothy Crosby
Lavaiter Law
Executive Director
Gayle Cunningham
Dear JCCEO Staff and
Friends,
As you see in this
newsletter, we are
extremely busy these
days, here at JCCEO. Last year
we accepted the Obama Administration
challenge to seek American
Recovery and Reinvestment
Act funds to provide additional
services to Jefferson County residents
who have experienced difficulties
due to the recent economic
downturn. These include
CORRECTION
City of Birmingham Division of
Youth Services Executive Director
Cedric Sparks was incorrectly
identified as JCCEO Board member
Mr. Melvin Miller in the February
2010 issue.
From the Director’s Desk
expansion of Head Start and Early
Head Start to include 220 additional
children, expansion of Community
Services Block Grant services
to include more who are in
need and to provide a Summer
Youth Employment Program this
summer, and implementation of a
HUD funded Homelessness Prevention
and Rapid Re-housing Program
(HPRP).
You may have heard about
HPRP in the news recently. One
of our three contracts to provide
this program was cancelled for rea-
sons that are in dispute. This was,
however, our smallest contract,
and we want the Jefferson County
community to know that JCCEO’s
HPRP services are not affected by
this loss. This program continues
to offer assistance to those whose
rental housing has been or may be
lost due to an economic setback,
and JCCEO continues to “deliver
more than promises.”
Welcome aboard!
FOCUS welcomes the following new staff members to the JCCEO family:
JESSICA GIVHAN
Hs Teacher Aide
TIFFANY COLEMAN
HS Teacher Aide
LAURA WHITE
EHS Family Worker
SHENITA BATES
EHS Family Services Worker
TAMIKO SMITH
CS Adult Daycare Aide
JINIQUA CRAYTON
CS Cust Svc/Data Intake Worker
SHONTELL JONES
CS Adult Day Care Aide
IN THE KNOW
Based on research, the over
25,000 impoverished men and women incarcerated
in state and federal prisons in Alabama
will not be counted as part of the US
Census poverty population, resulting in a net
loss of millions of dollars to community
action and other anti-poverty programs
across the nation over the course of the
VALERIA LUSTER
CS Cust Svc/Data Intake Worker
VALECIA FIELDER
HS Teacher Aide
RASHAWN WILSON
HS Teacher
CAROLYN SKANES
HS Teacher
JACQUITTA ELLISON
CS Adult Day Care Aide
DENISE CLARK
CS Cust Svc/Data Intake Worker
JEANINE CORAM
CS Cust Svc/Data Intake Worker
KENDRICK KING
CS Job Development Coordinator
JERRILYN THORNTON
EHS Center Manager
next ten years! These men and women will
be counted (or “miscounted”) under the
Census’ “usual residence rule,” i.e., at their
place of incarceration as of April 1, 2010,
instead of the places they lived prior to incarceration,
where they left behind their
children and families. This miscount will inflate
or deflate the legislative power of some
areas. The communities that will suffer most
will be poor Alabama communities.
TYESHA COOPER
CS Clerk Typist
SHAPEARL BREWSTER
CS Cust Svc/Data Intake Worker
DEANDREA SANDERS
CS Cust Svc/Data Intake Worker
STACEY SHANKLIN
CS Adult Day Care Aide
LAQUETTA EVANS
HS Teacher Aide
FREDERICK MOORE
HS Driver/Janitor
SANDRA PERTILLO
CS Adult Day Care Driver/Aide

WYLAM ADULT
DAY HEALTH CARE
IS MAKING NOISE
Information Submitted by
Shirley Hill, Adult Services Coordinator
Bravo to the creative participants at
Wylam Adult Day Health Care Center!
They wanted to do something and did a
lot! Joined by the center’s staff, the seniors
raised funds to purchase and contribute
dry goods to the Haiti Relief Effort!
On the road again, the Wylam participants
visited the Birmingham Civil Rights
Institute on the 3rd of February. What a
rewarding experience for all of them, and
especially those for whom this was a first
visit to the iconic venue.
NEWS FROM “NOOZE”
St. Joseph’s Senior Nutrition Center Newsletter,
Alma Green, Editor and Center Manager
The shortest month of the year
yielded a long list of happenings at St.
Joseph’s Senior Nutrition Center! Along
with the usual activities, the seniors received
annual hearing exams, thanks to
Bobby Harris from the Talladega School
for the Deaf and Blind. Thanks to UAB’s
Coretta Thomas, St. Joseph’s seniors are
smarter than ever about UAB research
studies and how they are affected. The
top February event was the highlyanticipated
Annual Black History Program,
again entertaining and wellattended.
Many thanks to all program
organizers, participants (Idell Hale, Roy
Price, Mamie Pollard, Doris Blunt, Carrie
Leonard, Annie Davies, Rosa Cannon, &
Center Manager Alma Green), and special
guests. Thanks Eloise Staples
(Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens
Services), Shirley Hill (JCCEO Adult
Services Coordinator), Willie Clark
(community advocate), and Mary Woods
for your wonderful remarks! Many
thanks to pianist Jerald Avery, whose
special touch added so much. Thanks
Linda Williams, Head Start St. Joseph’s
Center Manager, for your assistance.
The St. Joseph’s Senior Nutrition
“Soul Food Day” was a feast-fest with a
scrumptious menu that included lima
beans, pinto beans, corn, cornbread
dressing, potato salad, chicken, pigs’ feet,
dressing, cakes, and pies! The seniors
were delighted to end their celebration
of Black history with a last supper! Hats
off to you, St. Joseph’s seniors!
Sincerest sympathy to Paralee Ford in
the passing of her 49-year-old son, L. C.
Ford.
The month of March blessed us with
our quarterly visit from our podiatrist
(Thanks Dr. David Robinson!). Movie of
the Month, the NAACP Image Award
winner Precious, provided a healthy dose
of fine acting and entertainment (Thanks
Ted Debro, Community Services Deputy
Director!). For a smidgen of the Irish
tradition, we wore shades of green on St.
Patrick’s Day. March birthdays were also
celebrated. Happy Day Joseph Potts
(3/2) and Joe Hendricks (3/22)! Loads of
thanks to all our instructors, nurses,
speakers, and participants. You keep us
informed and active! Many thanks to the
seniors for your Haiti Relief Fund donations!
You rock!
We were showered in April with
‘Hats off’ to
our special
MRS. IDELL
MOULTRIE
HALE,
St. Joseph’s
March 2010
Highlight Senior
of the Month!
gorgeous spring weather and lots of activities,
including ceramics, diabetic class,
a Health Fair at Fairfield Senior Citizens
Center, and our annual Easter Egg Hunt
(Thanks St. Joseph’s Head Start children
and Center Manager Linda Williams!),
and the annual Retired Senior Volunteer
Program (RSVP) banquet at the Harbert
Center (more next FOCUS). Birthday
happiness to Berry Merritt (4/1), Parker
Fluker (4/9), Christine Nalls (4/9), Jimmie
Gaines (4/11), Elizabeth James (4/21), and
Sadie Williams (4/21)!
We sorely miss our seniors who are
not well (Eva Williams, Hannah Gibbs,
Christine Nalls, Mary Mullins, Hazel Wilson,
Jessie Reynolds, Polly Banks, Mary
Woods, and Roy Price). Please hurry
back to us! So glad you are better and
welcome back to Catherine Davenport,
Verlena Polk , Ella M. Beasley, and Annie
Davies. We love you all!
MIDFIELD SENIOR
NUTRITION CENTER
REVS ITS ENGINE!
Information Submitted by
Geraldine Smith, Center Manager
Midfield Senior Nutrition Center seniors
answered the call to help the people
of Haiti. They contributed $300 from
their benevolent fund! The funds were
donated to the Haiti Disaster Foundation
Fund. Great effort Midfield seniors!
Extra-special and a source of pride
for the JCCEO family network, Midfield
senior MR. HENRY MARABLE, JR. was the
first African-American train engineer
( C o n t ’ d P a g e 4 )
Volume 14 Issue 2 FOCUS Page 3
A St. Joseph’s
delight!
MRS.
ARCELLA
JOHNSON
ELLISON,
our April 2010
Highlight Senior of
the Month!

Cont’d from Page 3
employed by U. S. Steel! (Did you
know?!) Mr. Marable began work for the
U.S. Steel Corporation in 1946 and was
promoted to engineer in 1971, working
in this capacity until 1984. Mr. Marable
was presented a plaque during Midfield
Senior Nutrition Center’s observance of
Black History Month in recognition of his
accomplishments. Congratulations Mr.
Marable!!
A 90th birthday bash for Midfield Senior
Nutrition Center senior MRS.
MABELINE TAYLOR WHITAKER (below)
was held Saturday, January 23, 2010 at
Roosevelt City Church of Christ. Happy
Birthday and all the best Mrs. Whitaker!
The sensational Wylam Adult Day
Health Care Center participants and
seniors at St. Joseph’s and Midfield Senior
Nutrition Centers are living it up! The
JCCEO family salutes you!
AND MANY MORE!
Born January 9, 1920,
beautiful and wise MRS.
MABELINE TAYLOR WHITAKER
received a note of congratulations
(r) from President and
Mrs. Obama in celebration of
her 90th birthday! A true
milestone! Congratulations!
Under our noses: A ‘Hidden Hero’
Midfield Senior Nutrition Manager Geraldine Smith
presents plaque to Mr. Henry Marable, Jr.
Check them out!
The Midfield
Senior Nutrition
Center seniors are
busting loose!
Above is Center
Manager
Geraldine Smith.

Lo and behold! It was a wonderful sight to see! In their
quest to be all they can be, 59 males gathered together and participated
in the JCCEO Head Start Male Involvement
Spring Retreat at the Head Start Festival Center on Friday and
Saturday, April 16-17, 2010. Sponsored by a partnership of
JCCEO, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Jefferson
County Child Development Council, Inc. (JCCDC), the special
gathering was held to explore the “Role of the Male in Today’s
Family” for the fathers of children enrolled at the JCCEO HS-
EHS-Pre-K Program and others.
The JCCEO HS-EHS Program Fatherhood Involvement Project
hosted the special event, once again focusing on men’s
health, paternity and child support, the effects of the job market
and unemployment, and male involvement in the lives of their
children, family, workplace, and with each other. Friday’s powerful
session included event facilitators Otis Dismuke (Birmingham
City Schools) , Kendrick Tubbs (HS Festival Teacher Aide), a
solo performance (singing) by former JCCEO Family Services
Worker Anthony Pasley, and a delicious dinner. Ted Debro,
Community Services Deputy Director, was honored to introduce
guest speaker Ivor Brooks, City of Birmingham Fire Chief.
In addition to a tasty breakfast and satisfying lunch on Saturday,
pleasing the palates of the participants were superb guest
speakers, including Cedric Hinton (Fatherhood Project), Patrick
Packer (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc,), Muhammad Abdullah
(Aletheia House Men Services Coordinator), Ralph Sims (Project
S.A.F.E.), and Attorney Victor Spencer.
Remarks at both sessions, given by Debore Watson (JCCDC
Male Involvement Coordinator) and Dr. Calvin Moore (CDS Director),
reflected the sentiments of all present—the event was
well-organized, enlightening, relevant, refreshing, renewing, and a
real treat!
Many thanks to all participants, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Inc., and JCCDC! Thanks JCCEO!
HS-EHS-Pre-K Fatherhood Involvement Project Facilitator and HS
Festival Center Manager Earl Williams (in foreground) applauded the
cooperative spirit and presence of retreat participants.
Retreat guest speaker
Atty. Victor Spencer
discusses a hot topic:
paternity and child
support.
Pictures below are testaments to the
engaging topics and hunger for knowledge
and empowerment.
Volume 14 Issue 2 FOCUS Page 5

Aisha Abdullah
Earnestine Adams
Kelly Anchrum
Gina Anderson
Patricia Armstrong
Cynthia Austin
Jaretta Banks
Juanakae Banks
Mildred Bearden
Lillie Bennett
Willie M. Bolden
Tara Boyd
Perdita Bradley
Amy Brewster
Patricia Bryant
Erica Buchanan
Yangja Burton
Rhonda Camel
Agnes Carr
Tomeka Chamblish
Tracy Chattman
Jennifer Chine
Gwendolyn Clay
Rosemary Colvin
Monica Craig
Tonia D. Echols
Monisha Ellis
Earnestine Evans
Angela Everson
Cherineca Ford
Linda Ford
Stephanie Ford
Harriett Freeman
Rona Fullard
Cynthia Garner
Diane Gibson
Tanja Gowdy
Arlicia Grayson
Alma Green
Phyllis D. Hagler
Javalyn Hale
Janesiah Hall
Keith Harkins
Marjorie Hatcher
Head Start St. Joseph’s
Madolyn Henderson
Midfield Benevolent Fund
Lolita Hendricks
Steven Hendricks
Sonya Henry
Cotelia Hill
Shirley Hill
Vicki Holston
Joan Howard
Andrea Hubbard
Rosa Isom
Ovetta Ivy
Sandra Jackson
Teon Johnson
David Jones
Isje Kemp Jones
Kichi Jordan
Melissa S. Kennedy
Lawanda Lamell
Wanda Leeth
April Maiden
Yoka Mayberry
Choccie Mayes
Estella McCray
Vanessa McFarland
Betty McGhee
Gladys McNeil
Deborah Menefee
Gloria Michael
Donna Moor
Calvin Moore
Othessa Morris
Gladys Moseley
Lonita Newell
Bryce Oneal
Robbie Parson
Iris Perkins
Schelereia Perry
Shawnta Pettus
Retunya Portis
Funta‘ Pouncy
Felix Randall
Jeanette Reese
Yoland Reese
Cora Rembert
Thelma Richardson
Margaret Robinson
Maria Rosato
Roderick Roshell
Tanjaneke Sanders
Regina D. Sharp
Mildred Shaw
Martha Shearer
Nakesha Simmons
Patrice Smith
Randal Smith
Teresa King Smith
April Span
Selandra Spigner
Angela Taylor
Kimberly Thomas
Cynthia Thompson
Linda Toyer
Constance Tucker
Elvira Valencia
Linda Walker
Rhonda Ward
Cheryl Watts
Keisha Watts
Joyce White
Earl Williams
Christi Wilson
Teresa Wix
Brenda S. Wright
Cathy Wright
Charles Winston
and
Gayle Cunningham
(matched 10% of total
contributions)
Their cries for help.
Our humane obligation
to respond.

He’s # 1!
Hoisting his trophy, Khari ‘s beaming support team,
his Dad and Spelling Coach Moten, are also winners!
And on that note… JCCEO
Headquarters staff shared refreshments
and informational conversation in recognition
of Autistic Awareness Day on
Friday, March 9, 2010.
JCCEO SCORES AGAIN!
VICKIE VICKIE MAULDIN MAULDIN IS IS ONE ONE
OF OF TOP TOP 50! 50!
For the second consecutive year,
JCCEO is on the national forefront for
excellence in teaching! VICKIE MAUL-
DIN, an early childhood EHS Lead
Teacher in the JCCEO Head Start-Early
Head Start Program, has been selected
to receive a Terri Lynne Lokoff/
Children’s TYLENOL ® National Childcare
Teacher Award. A six-year employee
of JCCEO, Ms. Mauldin has
DISADVANTAGED BUT NOT DISENCHANTED: AUTISTIC STUDENT IS
2010 JEFFERSON COUNTY SPELLING BEE CHAMP!
It really is happening at JCCEO. The
annual Jefferson County Spelling Bee was
held at the JCCEO Headquarters Auditorium
on the morning of February 10,
2010. Dr. Sandra Harrell, Jefferson
County Spelling Bee Coordinator and Director,
Grades 6 through 12, Reading,
Language, & Arts, Birmingham City
Schools, welcomed the student spellers,
who were raring to showcase their spelling
mastery and one-up opponents. Master
speller Khari Marquette, an 11-year
old handsome and humble Epic Elementary
School student, trumped his competitors
to become the 2010 Jefferson County
Spelling Bee Champ! Leading cheers for
Khari’s accomplishment was his less than
worked in Early Childhood Education
for more than 19 years.
Applicants from all fifty states and
the District of Columbia are invited to
apply for the prestigious award, created
by the Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care
Foundation to acknowledge 50 of the
best and most committed teachers in
the nation and their critical role in providing
children with quality early care
and education. Each applicant is required
to illustrate, through a selfdesigned
curriculum enhancement project,
the educational, social, and emotional
benefits of the project to children.
Ms. Mauldin’s innovative project
proposal centers on collecting mathematical
and scientific data and learning
about nutrition. The parents and children
in her nursery at the JCCEO Early
Head Start center will plant in the garden
area at the center’s site, tend to,
and through photographs at various intervals,
track the progress of vegetable
seedlings for eventual harvesting and
data compilation.
Ms. Mauldin is thrice excited–to have
cool father, Mr. Tarone Marquette, and his
spelling coach Ms. Mary Moten.
For the past several years, JCCEO has
hosted this annual and exciting Jefferson
County Spelling Bee, a precursor to the
Alabama Spelling Bee. County winners
advance to the Alabama Spelling Bee in
Birmingham to compete for the state
championship. The Alabama Spelling Bee
winner represents the state at the Scripps
National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC.
JCCEO is proud to provide this stage
for educational excellence for Khari Marquette.
Well done, Khari, well done!
JCCEO commends Dr. Harrell, all the
student participants, parents, and educators.
Congratulations to all of you!
been selected from among
a throng of impressive applicants,
to know she will
be able to put to work her
‘ground-breaking’ project,
and for the benefits that
will be afforded the wonderful
Early Head Start children
and parents she holds
dear.
Award recipients will
each receive $1000 – $500
for personal use and $500
to implement their individual projects –
and a trip to the springtime awards
ceremony in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
One of the first to extend congratulations
to Ms. Mauldin was JCCEO’s
2009 Terri Lynne Lokoff/Children’s TY-
LENOL ® National Childcare Teacher
Award recipient Mildred Bearden, a
JCCEO Head Start Program Pre-K
Teacher at the Festival center.
The JCCEO family congratulates
Vickie Mauldin! We are so proud of
you!
Volume 14 Issue 2 FOCUS Page 7

Ms. Mayo’s best buds Ms.
Mary C. Pugh (l) and Ms.
Georgia Holcomb
‘With love to
Grandma.’
Standing tall,
photogenic
Ms. Mayo is
a picture of
health and
wealth.
Ms. Mayo & favorite
escort Andre Smith
staff and expressed her gratitude and love for Ms. Mayo.
Accompanied on keyboard by Mary Goosby (HS Office
Manager) Jasmine McGaha (HS Teacher) and Chancnetta
Massey’s (HS Family Services Worker) solo performances of
Ms. Mayo’s favorite spiritual songs were soothing and wonderful
music to our ears.
Rev. J. W. Croom of First Baptist Church, Graymont,
spoke very kindly about Ms. Mayo and the amazing shower of
love. “Some people live a lifetime and never receive a word
of praise,” he said.
Bearers of hugs, kisses, gifts, and words of admiration and
congratulations included Penny Kakoliris, Positive Maturity
Executive Director; Deborah Gaddis, Director of the Foster
Grandparent Program; Deborah Poe, Program Coordinator
of the Foster Grandparent Program; Ms. Mayo’s dear friend
Mary C. Pugh; great-granddaughter Tasha Mayo; Mary Russell,
former JCCEO Parent Involvement Coordinator and
retiree; and other JCCEO staff.
Rhonda Reynolds, Parent Involvement Specialist, party
planner, and Mistress of Ceremony, presented to Ms. Mayo
The 1990 Grammy Awards Record of the Year was “Wind Beneath My Wings.”
Coincidentally, it was also the year Ms. Lucille Mayo appeared on the steps of
JCCEO with an appeal to be of service. The agency was about to experience a
wind of change. Fast forward 20 years. For Ms. Lucille Mayo, JCCEO’s foster
grandparent Volunteer Extraordinaire, time has moved swiftly and sweetly. Her era
of volunteerism at JCCEO, 20 years and counting, has been rewarding and full of
precious memories!
Celebrating her 20-year milestone, the first for any JCCEO HS Foster Grandparent,
were the JCCEO family and guests on the sunny afternoon of Wednesday,
March 31, 2010 at the JCCEO Headquarters Auditorium. Ms. Mayo was
very happy and humble. Volunteerism, in her book of life, is a willingness to
serve and is born in the spirit and soul of the volunteer. Fanfare about her “life
work” is a lot of unnecessary fussiness to Ms. Mayo. Nevertheless, she was
grateful and smiling pretty on this day.
Mayo fans were greeted with a beautifully-printed program and a giant wellwishing
card for each to share sentiments and sign. Ms. C welcomed guests and
Rev.
Croom
scans
program.
Tasha Mayo
speaks
proudly and
candidly
about her
GREAT great
-grandma!
Best-wishers
Mary Russell (l) Cake: a
and Positive menu
Maturity’s staple
Penny Kakoliris at the
(above) “J”
Clutched hands and growing friendship...Rhonda
Reynolds holds tight to special friend and special
plaque she just presented to Ms. Mayo.
the agency’s gift—a tailored mint green Easter suit and pretty
gold sandals. Other gift-givers, following prior instructions,
presented coordinating accessories.
Camera-shy Ms. Mayo was taken aback when asked to
give remarks. “It’s a joy,” she said. “I love people and I love
to help people.”
She’s a ‘good and faithful servant,’ said Rhonda Reynolds,
when reading the Bible passage that most reminds her of Ms.
Lucille Mayo, also affectionately known around the “J” as
‘Grandma’.
Rev. Croom delivered blessings for the celebration refreshments.
Attendees then enjoyed finger sandwiches,
chicken fingers, chips, delicious cake, a Lucille Mayo powerpoint
presentation, and fellowship one with another.
Congratulations Grandma Mayo! You are OUR SHIN-
ING STAR! The JCCEO family loves and appreciates you!
Special thanks to Rhonda Reynolds; Alice Fagan, Nutrition Services Coordinator;
Adrienne Topping, Nutrition Services Specialist; Carla Hicks, Nutrition Services Assistant;
Virginia Deloach, HS Program Secretary/Information Systems Manager; and Andre
Smith, Headquarters Custodian.
(More pics Page 10)

The JCCEO Head Start-Early Head Start-Pre-K Health-Literacy Fair at
JCCEO Headquarters Auditorium on Thursday, April 29, 2010 was a huge hit
for JCCEO staff and other visitors. On board were health and literacy representatives from various
Jefferson County organizations who brought invaluable information and brochures, and handy
souvenirs. Whetting the appetites of fair visitors, Chef Rollings served mini tastings of hearthealthy
Jamaican jerk and curry chicken, Jamaican steamed cabbage, and Jamaican rice and peas.
JCCEO thanks all organizational participants and their representatives, Chef Rollings, Michelle
McAlpine, Parent Involvement & Volunteer Coordinator, Rhonda Reynolds, Parent Involvement &
Volunteer Specialist, Andre Smith, Headquarters Custodian, HS Foster Grandparent Support
Group members G-Vernice Sullivan and Veronica Johnson, JCCEO staff, and visitors!
13
11
12
10
1
HEALTH AND LITERACY “TRIANGLE”
1) Commute Smart Outreach Coordinator Jeniese Hosey.
2) Nkenge Hyter of Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
3) AllKids representative shared brochures, cup holders, key
chains, and more!
4) Stuffed JCCEO goody bag.
5) Chef Rollings is ready to serve!
6) Birmingham Police Department Fitness Coordinator James
Grimes leads stretching routine.
7) JCCEO staff visit Alabama Public Television display.
8) Alabama Department of Public Health representatives are
on ready to give out important information and keepsakes.
9) In unison, JCCEO staff perform office exercise option.
10) Stephen Elrod, Prevention Education and Community Outreach
Representative from Birmingham AIDS Outreach,
mans loaded AIDS display.
11) Literary Outreach Coordinator Jean Shanks of the Birmingham
Public Library.
12) Alice Fagan, Nutrition Services Coordinator, explains
healthy eating to staff members.
13) Alabama Public Television representatives provided excellent
educational materials.
Volume 14 Issue 2 FOCUS Page 9
2
9
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
Central Alabama Chapter display provides
key information about the disease.
3
8
4
5
7
6

Eager to speak but patiently
waiting to give thanks with lots
of love to Ms. Mayo.
By party’s end, the oversized
congratulatory card for Ms. Mayo
had no room to spare!
YOU HAVE
THE POWER!
(Information from Daily Health News
contributor Lauren Zander)
Unhappy? Is your glass always half
empty? Turn it around!
There are three distinct types of ways
people experience unhappiness: 1) A
Hungry Beast, 2) Poor, Pitiful Me, and 3)
Chronic Overachievers.
The beast that torments you...hanging
on to past drama (a relationship that
went south, a dream that went sour, or
the current state of affairs, etc.) can rule
your life, driving you and everyone
around you crazy. Feeding the beast in
your life are your responses to the actions
of, for example, a difficult exspouse,
colleague, or boss...a family dynamic
from your childhood...or maybe a
crazy neighbor. It’s time that you tame
the hungry beast!
First, write down your feelings about
any past or present issues.
Within the days to follow, listen to
thoughts and conversations...the sad, sarcastic,
or critical comments you make,
Many thanks to rocking musical combo
(from left) Chancnetta Massey, Mary
Goolsby, and Jasmine McGaha.
She’s a keeper!
A pensive moment for our
guest of honor.
the negative thoughts you harbor, the
actions you justify due to your unhappiness
about the beast.
Finally, refuse to feed the beast in
your life. Speak and think about
happy things in your life. This will
take time and effort but you are not
powerless to cure your chronic unhappiness!
Are you a Poor, Pitiful Me victim?
This form of unhappiness is surprisingly
common but can be corrected.
The fix requires energy...lots of motion...but
you can do it! Start a list,
filling in blanks after writing “I am
unhappy because…” Include everything
that makes you glum—the state
of your health or home, a diminished
income, career disappointment, voids
in activities/friends. Next, ask yourself
what specific actions must you
take to spur movement, or change.
Call one friend each day or stop
watching television for a week, exercise
10 minutes twice a week, etc.
You are guaranteed to see a change
or at least realize you have the power
to change your situation and feel better!
Finally, for all you Overachievers,
i.e. those of you who work hard, play
Friends came
from near and
‘not so far.’
hard, exercise, eat well, have friends,
and have everything that makes for a
good life and happiness. Instead, however,
you are edgy, moody, not quite
satisfied, and generally, just a little out
of sorts all the time. Nothing is ever
good enough! There’s hope for you! If
unhappiness is a state of mind, so is
happiness.
Start the process of transformation.
Define what your life would be like if
you were happy. (You may be surprised
to discover that you only need
to make small changes.) Recognize
your bounty that is your life and feel
gratitude that it is yours and you created
it. Look for small tweaks to improve
the quality of your everyday existence.
If life is too harried, slow down.
Bring a greater stillness into it. If you
feel disconnected from your loved
ones, schedule time to spend with them
more regularly. If you miss reading,
grab a must-read novel and turn off the
television.
We are destined to evolve and
grow. You are unhappy because you
have allowed yourself to be unhappy.
You have the power! Go on with your
life. Keep it simple. And don’t forget
to be happy!

Daily nutritional requirements were met
and exceeded for Headquarters staff on Friday,
March 26, 2010. The conclusion of National
Nutrition Month at JCCEO was a finger-licking
brunch featuring a variety of colorful
fruits, including grapes and cut mangoes,
pineapples, strawberries, watermelon,
cantaloupe, and honey dew melon; and assorted
nutrient-packed veggies, including
broccoli and cauliflower florets, carrots, celery,
and plum tomatoes. Staff members embraced
the Eat Right motto by shunning unhealthy
fats and empty carbohydrates during
the month and, on 3/26, sporting National
Nutrition Month ‘Big Red Apple’ tees. A
basket-of-plenty, the table’s centerpiece,
overflowed with a bounty of fresh apples,
oranges, tangerines, and bananas for healthy
snacks-to-go. The staff munched and
crunched well into the afternoon.
Names were drawn from a barrel of
names of staff who submitted correct answers
to the National Nutrition Month quiz
distributed earlier in the month by the Nutrition
Services staff. Thanks Dr. Calvin
Moore, CDS Director, for adjusting your
schedule to draw the names of the lucky
winners (all of whom were not present for a
photo-op). Thanks to all participants!
Special thanks are extended to the effervescent
Nutrition Services staff — Alice
Fagan, Nutrition Services Coordinator; Adrienne
Topping, Nutrition Services Specialist;
and Carla Hicks, Nutrition Services Assistant.
Many thanks also to Pat Linson, Head
Start Administrative Secretary, for handling
tee shirt orders, and Andre Smith, Headquarters
Custodian, for setting up and dismantling
tables in the upper lobby.
Nutrition Services staff guarantee an expanded
celebration next year! Stay on
course, JCCEO! Eat healthy, feel better, be
stronger, live longer. Hail to good nutrition!
1st Place
RHONDA WARD, Teacher Aide
2nd Place
JESSICA GIVHAN, Teacher
3rd Place
DAWNNA PARHAM, Teacher
4th Place
JANICE SPEIGHTS, Lead Teacher
5th Place
ANGELA BATTLE, Teacher Assistant
Congrats to the winners!
Whew!
The wait
is over!
Staff load
up plates!
What a
team!
Thanks
Nutrition
Services!
The number of JCCEO dollars (through
payroll deductions and contributions)
presented to the local chapter of the
American Red Cross for Haiti Relief
efforts. Thanks JCCEO! Generous you
are!
Team planners
(from
left) Carla
Hicks, Alice
Fagan,
Adrienne
Topping, &
Pat Linson
Full, fierce, fabulous , & ‘teed-up’ staff
(Hands for Haiti, Cont’d from Page 1)
In ‘waiting’,
fruits and
veggies are
soon to be
consumed.
Dr. Moore is a pro! Alice
Fagan looks on during drawing.
a JCCEO Head Start Center Point
Center student, whose winning entry
was beautifully framed and presented
at The Museum of Urban Art Awards
Gala on April 18, 2010!
(More news about the contest and gala
in next issue of Connections, the JCCEO
Head Start-Early Head Start newsletter)
Volume 14 Issue 2 FOCUS Page 11

IT’S A LAUGHING MATTER!
Hi Staffer!
Do you know
the ‘state of
the agency’?
JCCEO employees
Of course!
It’s Alabama!
SNOW DAY AT THE “J”… If you didn’t believe it then, believe it
now! Here’s the evidence! JCCEO staff marveled at the falling snow and its
quiet beauty on February 12, 2010. Visit our web site at www.jcceo.org to see
JCCEO Headquarters in living white color!
YOU WILL NOT BE
FORGOTTEN!
The JCCEO family mourns the
loss of KELLY ANCHRUM, HS
Teacher Aide at Head Start Festival
Center, who passed away on Saturday,
April 24, 2010.
“She was mild-mannered, cooperative,
and will be tremendously
LATRICE
PLUMMER,
Data Entry Clerk,
for completing degree
requirements
(with a 3.42 GPA)
at
Virginia College in Birmingham
and receiving an
Associate of Science Degree,
Accounting Specialist.
missed at the Festival Cluster and the
agency,” said Center Manager Earl
Williams, reflecting on the pleasing
personality of Ms. Anchrum, her 8+
years at JCCEO, and her wonderful
contributions to the agency.
JCCEO extends its deepest and
sincerest sympathy and regards to
the family and friends of Kelly Anchrum.
GET YOUR TIXS!
Annual Program-Wide
Head Start-Early Head Start
Scholarship Fundraiser
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!
End-of-year Give-A-Way
for Deluxe Prizes!
See Paula Stanton,
Head Start Special Projects Coordinator.
(Ticket stubs are due back to Paula by
12:00 noon on Wednesday, May 12, 2010.)
We’re counting on you staff, parents,
volunteers, and friends of JCCEO!
“J”- Walking ( Overheard around
and about the “J”)
“I am still acclimating
myself to
the JCCEO climate
and everyone has
been so nice!”
...JCCEO staff
newcomer
“Are you ready to audition?”
...a joking Hollis
Johnson, CS Special
Projects & YES Ambassadors
Coordinator, to
fellow employee.
MAKE THE CHOICE.
BE AN ORGAN DONOR.
Q Can I access information about my
JCCEO health coverage plan with Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Alabama on the web?
A Certainly! As a courtesy, Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Alabama has posted our new benefits
booklet, that includes renewal changes, on the
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama website
www.bcbsal.org for the convenience of
JCCEO health plan participants and their dependents.