Building connections with employees in other departments is a great way to advance in your career and strengthen leadership skills. You may apply by March 19 to participate in the Glendale Mentoring Program.
Mentees gain insight, career advice and skillset development when they are linked to a mentor. Mentors have a chance to boost their leadership skills, gain a better understanding of challenges through a different lens and contribute to others’ growth.
Employee feedback drove the formation of the mentoring program. Space is limited. Our city will partner 20 mentees with 20 mentors for the next round. To apply to be a mentor or mentee, click here.
GREAT NEWS IN GLENDALE
CITY LAUDS LANDLORDS WHO OFFER AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Our Glendale Housing Authority celebrated landlords who supply affordable housing to residents in need recently.
City employees administer the Housing Choice Voucher Program that allows qualifying people to pay 30 percent of their adjusted gross income towards their rent, while the remaining amount is provided by a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers
Our videographer Mike Harris interviewed our Housing Administrator Karen Mofford, as well as Mayor Jerry P. Weiers and a landlord for a video our videographer Shaun Mockoski filmed that was posted on our city’s Facebook page. Check out the video by clicking the arrow in the top left photo. Learn more about the housing program by clicking here.
MORE GREAT NEWS IN GLENDALE
CITY EARNS AWARDS FOR BLOOD DRIVE PARTICIPATION
Our city’s passion for helping save lives earned it two prestigious awards recently.
Glendale won the Vitalant Valentines for Life (VFL) Impact and Platinum awards that were presented at a luncheon last month in Scottsdale. Our Community Services Deputy Director Michelle Yates, Parks and Recreation Coordinator Susie Cummings and Wellness Program Manager Ali Walechli-Brooks, pictured from left to right in the photo to the left, with Katrina Eaton, Vitalant account manager, attended the luncheon. Michelle and Susie are members of our city’s Wellness Committee.
Showing support at the luncheon were our Vice Mayor Ray Malnar and his wife, Mary. Ali and Vice Mayor Malnar posed with Phoenix Police Officer Tyler Moldovan, in the bottom photo pictured on the far left, who testified about being a blood donation recipient after being shot several times in the line of duty, and Sid Lewis, on the far right, who is Area Vice President of Vitalant AZ.
The VFL awards program recognizes blood drive coordinators for the tremendous impact they make on hospital patients. Our city is honored to receive the Impact Award again as it is the most prestigious and difficult award to obtain. It is given to coordinators and organizations that go above and beyond to encourage participation in their blood drives. The Platinum Award is given to organizations that show 100+ blood components collected per year. Congratulations to all city employees who donate blood and publicize the blood drives!
All Glendale Lean Academy graduates are invited to attend the 2026 Glendale Lean Summit from noon to 2 p.m. on April 8 at the Civic Center.
There will be updates on the Lean Academy provided and participants will take part in a hands-on Lean simulation game that brings Lean concepts to life through teamwork, waste reduction and continuous improvement. Light refreshments will be served. Lean Academy graduates may register for this event here.
LEAN ACADEMY GRADUATES TO GATHER FOR GAME, UPDATES
BOOSTING WELLNESS
CITY EMPLOYEES ENJOY FUN, FITNESS AT WALK/RUN
Nearly 550 walkers and runners, including many city employees, came together for fitness and family fun at the WellStyles Move More Walk/Run that started at the Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center (FRAC) and meandered through city pathways and parks on Feb. 28.
Our City of Glendale Good Life Wellness Team and Committee, as well as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and the Valley Schools WellStyles team produce this event to try to encourage movement and showcase city parks and recreation spaces. More than 50 volunteers from high schools, the city and community made motivational signs, cheered on participants and provided water at rest stops. City employees from our Communications, Community Services (Library), Development Services, Fire, Human Resources and Risk Management, along with the Parks and Recreation, Police, Transportation and Water Services departments provided assistance and/or participated in the event.
A wellness fair was held after the walk/run. Those who finished the route received medals and the top three male and top three female finishers also received pins. Winners in each division also each received a $50 gift card.
COMMUNITY + CONNECTION
RESIDENTS LEARN ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ACADEMY
Our Police Department employees are giving residents a behind-the-scenes look at how they protect our community. It’s all part of the latest round of the Citizen Police Academy that began in late January and will run through April 8.
This program gives citizens a chance to learn about the different roles and responsibilities of the department’s sworn and non-sworn employees. During the first class, participants met our Police Chief Colby Brandt and toured the Main Police Station on 57th Drive, including exploring the Real Time Crime Center. Citizens also visited our Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center (GRPSTC) to see the Dispatch Training Center, Community Action Team (CAT) and Mobile Command Center and view a demonstration on Taser/firearm use.
Students in the academy also learned about the Special Investigations Unit/Homeland Security, fugitive apprehension, DUIs, the SWAT team, K9 unit, drones, accident investigations and other topics. They were told about volunteer opportunities and visited the department’s property and evidence building on West Myrtle Avenue.
To learn more about our Citizen Police Academy, click here.
COMING UP IN THE CITY
LEARN ABOUT DIABETES AND BLOOD PRESSURE PROGRAM
Join your colleagues in a webinar to share information about a new diabetes and blood pressure program from 11 a.m. to noon over Microsoft Teams on March 18.
The Teledoc Health program is available to employees covered through AZ Blue and their family members. Participants can obtain expert coaching, condition support and a connected device at no cost to them. They will receive personalized support and easy-to-use tools to help them take control of their health. To register for the webinar, click here.
We are currently developing our 2026/2027 Benefits Enrollment Guide and would like to feature photos of our employees and their families.
If you’re interested in participating, please submit recent (preferably within the last year) high-resolution photos that reflect meaningful life moments, including:
Family gatherings
Weddings or engagements
Newborn babies
Vacations
Hobbies and activities
Photos should be sent to Glendale Contest by March 20, along with your name, department and a brief caption. Submission of a photo indicates your consent for it to be used in the Benefits Enrollment Guide and related internal communications.
GETTING CREATIVE IN GLENDALE
EXPLORE HOBBIES WITH HELP AT LIBRARY FESTIVAL
Our Library Services employees are busy preparing for a unique event that will allow people to use objects and tools to get crafty and dip their toes into a variety of hobbies at no cost to them.
The Try Everything! How-To Festival [LIBRARY OF THINGS] will bring fun to the Main Library from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 21. Anyone may come to the festival to try their hand at woodworking, soap carving, cake decorating, playing a guitar and checking out a weed wacker, hammers and other tools, with experts on hand to offer tips. A master gardener will be available to answer questions about gardening and the Musical Instrument Museum will bring instruments residents and employees can explore. Members of a local astronomy club will even demonstrate how to use a telescope.
The goal of this FREE festival is to lend materials to people that could be cost-prohibitive for them to buy. They can explore these items to see if they enjoy using them before having to purchase them and find space in their homes.
The Library of Things movement is a growing trend in libraries in many countries. This type of collection pertains to any type of organization loaning objects to the public One of the oldest Library of Things collections is in the Bullitt County Public Library in Kentucky. Several of the objects in that library’s offerings are pictured above.
Can’t make it to the festival? Don’t worry because you may borrow diverse objects from the Main Library’s Library of Things, a permanent, new collection that includes a guitar, tools, a karaoke machine, KitchenAid stand mixer and many other useful items. More programs centered around this innovative collection will be held in the future. Any employees or residents who want to share a craft they are familiar with at the library may contact Em Craig, our Technology and Maker Librarian, at ECraig@glendaleaz.com
GOOD LIVING IN GLENDALE
EAT HEALTHY ON A BUDGET
You do not have to break the bank to eat healthy foods. Learn about cost-effective ways to plan meals that are good for you during the Nutrition on a Budget webinar from noon to 1 p.m. on March 26.
This practical, engaging Blue Cross Blue Shield of AZ webinar will provide guidance on making nutritious food choices while keeping your grocery bill in check. Whether you are feeding a family or shopping for one, this session is perfect for anyone who wants to improve their diet without sacrificing flavor, variety or financial peace of mind.
Register for the webinar here or visit the Employee Portal calendar.
There’s an easy way to learn how to work with the forces of nature to create an attractive, wildlifefriendly garden that will thrive in our desert climate.
Check out the Earth-friendly Gardening class that our Water Conservation Specialist Anne Stahley will teach from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on April 23 at the Main Library. Anne will educate participants about the importance of proper plant selection, watering, mulch, maintenance and other topics.
Register for this class here.
GAIN DESERT GARDENING TIPS
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
DROP OFF MEDICATION AT POLICE DEPARTMENT EVENT
Our Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are teaming up to provide an event where residents may safely and conveniently dispose of expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutical substances and other medications.
The DEA Drug Take Back event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 25 at the Glendale Adult Center parking lot. Controlled, non-controlled and over-the-counter substances will be accepted. Only pills, tablets and capsules will be taken. Those who want to drop off these items should put all pills, capsules and tablets in a strong bag, and not bring pill bottles. Glass containers, inhalers, creams, intravenous solutions, injectables or syringes will not be accepted.
Learn more about this event by contacting D. Anderson at 623-930-4044 or clicking here.
OPEN ENROLLMENT, BENFITS FAIR COMING UP SOON
Our open enrollment period is coming up! This active enrollment will take place from May 4 to 15. All employees are required to elect or waive coverage of health insurance and other benefits during this time period.
There will be benefits presentations at several locations during the last two weeks of April. Stay tuned for more details!
Our Benefits and Wellness Fair will bring helpful information, fun activities and a patriotic theme to the Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 7. A complimentary lunch will be available.
GET ON TRACK FOR FUN IN GLENDALE
CITY CELEBRATES HOMETOWN NATIVE NASCAR DRIVER
Did you know that March 11 is recognized each year as “Michael McDowell Day” in Glendale? We’re bursting with pride for our hometown native NASCAR driver of the #71 Spire Motorsports car on his top 10 finish in the Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway!
Michael started his career at the age of 3 racing BMX bicycles and rose through the ranks to NASCAR’S top showdown. Our city declared “Michael McDowell Day” in 2021 after Michael won the prestigious Daytona 500 race.
Check out the video to the left that our videographer Luis Jacinto created to celebrate our hometown native’s success!
EMPLOYEE HONORED FOR INNOVATION
Our Organizational Performance Department is recognizing Maya Pazos, pictured to the left, of our Transportation Department, for her contributions to Glendale’s IGNITE Program (Ideas Generating New Innovation Toward Excellence). IGNITE is our city’s employee-driven initiative for improving how we work and serve our community.
Maya was given a recognition letter and an IGNITE mug. She has submitted several ideas focused on improving communication, strengthening administrative manager collaboration, enhancing vehicle resource management and reducing paper-based processes. Do you have an idea that you would like to submit? Click here.
