Opportunity Everywhere
Site-based management is giving SAHA employees new opportunities.
By Henry A. Alvarez III
SAHA President and CEO
Some people fear change. They don’t want to upset the status quo. Change is a negative term for these people. They believe it means their lives will change for the worse.
I don’t see it that way, nor do the men and women who want to make SAHA a top-notch organization. We welcome change because we believe we can do better. We believe we can be better than we are. And change means opportunity.
Many SAHA employees have changed jobs in the past 30 days as we began the site-based management conversion process. They are taking on new challenges, learning new skills and working in new places. They are on the front lines of our business, working hand-in-hand with residents to create the best housing programs for San Antonio.
Others are leaving us. They are retiring or tackling new challenges and different opportunities. They take with them years of good experience and our unflagging appreciation for a job well done.
There are also other opportunities. In times of change, organizations need good ideas, good workers, good leaders and a clear course to follow. This is your chance to offer your ideas and suggestions, to step forward to help SAHA change, and to help your supervisors and managers set the course toward success.
As we navigate the challenges of change, the greatest challenge you will face will be recognizing opportunity. Our natural inclination to protect the status quo and resist change can mask real opportunity.
Resist the urge to see only the negative in change, and strive to see the possible positive outcomes. Then strive to make those outcomes happen.
Grant Fuels Modernization Plans
With an $11 million HUD grant, SAHA can continue with plans to improve housing communities.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it will grant more than $11 million to the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) to fund the agency’s on-going modernization and development efforts.
The $11,079,358 capital fund grant is the highest HUD award among 395 Texas housing agencies, and comes as HUD is facing a $2.3 billion capital funds reduction for the 2006-2007 fiscal year. Capital funds are formula grants awarded on an annual basis to housing authorities nationwide.
“These funds will go a long way in helping create and maintain decent, affordable housing for our citizens,” said SAHA President and CEO Henry A. Alvarez III. “We thank those elected officials and others who recognize the desperate need for these funds to modernize and improve public housing in our community.”
Playaz Hammer Hurricanes for SAHA Softball Title
Big bats, stellar play carried Notorious squad through tournament.
It didn’t take long for the Notorious Playaz to stake their claim on SAHA’s softball crown. Fueled by strong hitting, the Playaz blistered the Hurricanes with a 10-run barrage in the first inning of the June 3 championship game, and coasted to a 15-7 victory.
The Playaz started the tournament with an 11-9 win over they Hurricanes, then beat the Titans, 8-7, before losing to the Hurricanes, 13-6, in the semi-finals. Best records pitted the teams against each other again in the championship.
Playaz Coach Ernest Cano said the team had to overcome a lack of experience and injuries to win the tournament.
“It was a hard fought tournament and the competition was fierce,” he said. “I want to thank my team for playing though all their injuries and being patient with our inexperienced players.”
First-time player Linda Le played outfield without an error in four games. Eugene Padilla went 7 for 9 at bat for a .777 batting average. John Hernandez had a .727 batting average, going 8 for 11, as well as pitching 9 strikeouts in four games. Other statistics: Joey Goree, 6 for 11 (.545); Loretta Perez, .5 for 9 (.555); Ramiro Maldonado, 5 for 9, (.555); Allen Goree (Joey’s 16-year-old son), 3 for 7 (.428) and played three positions: Centerfield, Right Centerfield and Second Base; Mireya Guardado (.375); George Guerra (.375). Linda Le (.333). Other team members who did not play: Patricia Ruiz, Scott Glover, Patricia Glover, Claudia Hernandez and Laura Longoria.
Wellness Tips
Tips for Winning the Allergy Wars
Medicines help treat allergy symptoms once they strike, but there are several steps you can take to prevent symptoms altogether. The following recommendations can help you avoid allergy triggers whether you're at home, outdoors, or out on the town.
At Home
- Keep windows closed and use air conditioning if you're allergic to pollen. Don't use fans since they can stir up dust.
- Filter the air. Cover air conditioning vents with cheesecloth to filter pollen and use high efficiency particulate air filters. Clean air filters frequently and air ducts at least once a year.
- Keep the humidity in your house below 50% to prevent mold growth.
- If you have pets, consider keeping them outside or perhaps ask someone else to take care of them. Animal dander and saliva are common allergens for many people. If you must keep your pets indoors, do not allow them in the bedroom and be sure to bathe them often.
- Avoid areas where molds may collect, including basements, garages, crawl spaces, barns and compost heaps. Have someone else clean these areas often.
- Install dehumidifiers in basements and other areas of the house where molds tend to collect. Clean these devices every week.
- Air out damp clothes and shoes (in the house) before storing.
- Remove laundry from the washing machine promptly. Don't leave wet clothes in the washer where mold can quickly grow.
- Wash shower curtains and bathroom tiles with mold-killing solutions.
- Don't collect too many indoor plants as soil encourages mold growth.
- Store firewood outside.
- Use plastic covers for pillows, mattresses and box springs. Avoid overstuffed furniture and down-filled bedding or pillows.
- Wash your bedding every week in hot water.
- Don't allow smoking in your house.
- Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning, vacuuming or painting to limit dust and chemical exposure.
- Vacuum twice a week.
- Limit throw rugs to reduce dust and mold. If you do have rugs, make sure they are washable.
- When possible, choose hardwood floors instead of carpeting. If you must have carpeting, choose low-pile material.
- Avoid dust-collecting Venetian blinds or long drapes. Replace old drapes with window shades instead.
- Make sure there is an exhaust fan over the stove to remove cooking fumes.
In the Car
- Keep windows closed and set the air conditioner to use recirculated air if you are allergic to pollen.
- Don't permit smoking in the car.
Outdoors
- Check the forecast. Stay indoors as much as possible on hot, dry, windy days when pollen counts are generally the highest.
- Try to avoid extreme temperature changes -- they are triggers for some people with asthma.
- If possible, stay indoors between 5 and 10 a.m. when outdoor pollen counts are usually highest.
- Wear a mask (such as an inexpensive painter's mask) when mowing the lawn if you are allergic to grass pollen or mold. Avoid mowing and being around freshly cut grass if possible.
- Wear a mask when gardening, as flowers and some weeds release pollen and can cause allergy symptoms.
- Avoid raking leaves or working with hay or mulch if you are allergic to mold.
- After being outdoors, take a shower, wash your hair, and change your clothes to remove pollen that may have collected in your clothes and hair.
- To protect yourself from insect stings, wear shoes, long pants and sleeves, and do not wear scented deodorants, perfumes, shampoos or hair products.
- Don't hang clothes or linens out to dry, as pollen and molds may collect in them and can make your allergies worse.
(All information courtesy www.webmd.com)
Mystery Employee Revealed
Last month's Mystery Employee was Ed Hinojosa, SAHA's Vice President of Finance and Accounting. Congratulations to: Denise Caballero, Loretta Perez, Veronica Guevara, Lorraine Robles and Rachel Rubalcava who will be added to the pool of potential winners for the grand prize. Stay tuned for future Mystery Employees.
