SEP/OCT
2022
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gerry & Mary
In a couple of weeks we, and all agencies like ours throughout the country, will be celebrating Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (September 11-17). INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS Page 2 THRIFT VOLUNTEERS Page 3 SUPER SUNNY WALK ‘N ROLL Page 4
It is a great opportunity to focus on the incredibly committed, attentive direct support workforce that is the heart and backbone of services for the individuals with disabilities that Garden Center cares for. We currently have 72 Direct Support
Professionals (DSPs) at the agency and their average length of employment is over 6 years, with a number being with us much longer! Knowing how important it is for our participants to have stable, safe relationships, this is a very significant piece of information!
Compassion is the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things. -Thomas Merton I am always amazed how our direct care staff find the energy and compassion to be there for the individuals we serve, knowing the day in,
day out responsibilities they also carry for their own families. Our management philosophy here at the agency is one of Servant Leadership; we understand that to the degree we demonstrate the value and worth of our awesome staff, then they will provide our wonderful individuals the attention and experiences that provide this same sense of being treasured. It’s no accident that Garden Center’s mission is “Advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them”. We try to express throughout the year how vital our employees are but DSP Week is a continued on page 4
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY OCTOBER IS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH NAT
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National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2022
The US Department of Labor recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month each October to commemorate the many contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. The theme for NDEAM 2022, “DISABILITY: Part of the Equity Equation,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, the pandemic hit many Margaret 2 GCS Employment Program participants hard, GCS has several employees Oak Lawn Children’s.5 years Museum who were able to maintain their jobs safely. Many of those Supported Employment participants have been in their position for several years.
Garden Center’s Community Integration Specialist, Adriana LaPointe, is always looking for new opportunities for people she serves in the Supported Employment Program. If you have a business or know of one that is looking for truly dependable, dedicated, and enthusiastic employees, please contact Adriana by phone at 708.398.6504 or by email at aLaPointe@GardenCenterServices.org.
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EXCITING CHANGES IN GCS’ RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM In the last issue of The Leaflet, we told you about John Schuetz moving from his CoCILA Director position to Director of Community Day Services. Joanne Stienz, who worked with John to oversee our CILA programs, will now take over all CILA homes as the Director of CILA services. To help her in this effort, Asia Fobb and Miranda Dormanen have been promoted to the new position of CILA Manager. They will assist Joanne in overseeing day-to-day operations and provide support to the Team Leads at each location. Asia, Miranda & Joanne CILA
and support for the staff at that home.
Micheaux Stuckey has been promoted to the new ICF Manager position where she will assist the ICF Director, Sheryl Kincinas, with general operations
Congratulations to everyone in their new position - we are fortunate to have such a great team in place!
Sheryl & Micheaux ICF
TENDING OUR GARDEN iGive iGive.com makes it super simple to earn donations for GCS (at no cost to you) when you shop at 2,000 of the most popular online stores. You can shop on your computer via the iGive.com website or with the iGive Button. On mobile devices, you can shop with the iGive App. Each new iGive member who joins to support Garden Center Services before September 30th AND makes their first purchase within 45 days of joining will earn a $15 Bonus for GCS!
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Consider joining iGive before September 30th and help GCS earn extra money every time you shop!
®
Visit www.iGive.com/GardenCenter to get started
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT VOLUNTEERS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE Alaina Roche, Thrift Shoppe Manager
Since the Thrift Shoppe opened this past June, we have had tremendous support from our local community. So many people have come in to shop and donate, and several to volunteer. We are heartened to have so many people join us in our efforts to support Garden Center to fulfill it’s mission of Advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them.
Thrift Volunteers: (Top) Betty, Mary, John, Debbie (Bottom) Alaina (Manager), Ginny and Sam
Isaac, Sebastian, Rich, and Cindy
One fun volunteer opportunity at the Shoppe has been parent and teen outings. We have had several volunteers come in with their teenagers for some extra bonding and job skill development, not to mention finding great deals! One of our volunteers recently shared,“We have made great bonds with other volunteers and love what the Garden Center brings to the community!” What a win-win! We are looking for more volunteers to join our team to help us provide the best possible support to Garden Center. If you’d like to have some fun and help Garden Center at the same time, contact Alaina, Thrift Manager, at aroche@gardencenterservices.org or 773-941-4481.
Hilda Lily, Ivy,
GARDEN CENTER’S FACEBOOK PAGE CHANGES Recently, the Garden Center Facebook page was hacked. We are still able to post messages , but have lost control of other functions. If we are unable to regain full management of the site, we will need to create a new Facebook page and hope you will follow us there. We have had our Facebook page since August 2009 and have so many memories we are sad to leave behind. If there are photos from our page that you’d like to keep, we suggest you download them soon. Thank you for your patience as we make this transition. If you have any contacts at Facebook, let us know!
Mark your calendar...
Save these important dates! SEP 5th
Labor Day (Community Day Services closed)
SEP 9th-10th
KOC Tootsie Roll Drive (contact Bill to volunteer. 773-793-0936)
SEP 11th-17th Direct Support Professional Recognition Week SEP 24th
Super Sunny Walk ‘n Roll (see page 4) Watch for details about our fall COVID booster clinic Watch for details about our fall in-service day
GCS will close Day Services for a staff in-service in late September or early October. Details will be sent out soon to ensure you have ample time for planning.
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Growing dignity and independence 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL 60459 10444 S. Kedzie Chicago, IL 60655 phone 773-941-4151 email info@GardenCenterServices.org web www.GardenCenterServices.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President
Donna Blair
Treasurer
Anthony Di Miele
Secretary
Cindy Malloy
Members
Lisa Beemsterboer Shannon Benaitis John Dahlke Mary Gill Dr. Chris Grunow Mary Ann Lema Ava Rhodes - Smith Maria Zeimen, OSF
OUR MISSION Advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them.
2022 Super Sunny Walk ‘n Roll
We are excited to kick off this year’s 2022 Super Sunny Walk ‘N Roll at a new location! This year’s event will be held Saturday, September 24th at St. Christina Fields, 11149 S. Central Park in Chicago. In addition to our new location, we will also have new food options! Your $30 registration includes a cool event shirt, and meal with one of our new food vendors: tasty chicken/steak tacos from Jefe’s Catering or delicious sandwiches from Calabria on Wheels and a cold desert from Cravings.
Visit our website to register, sponsor, or for more information.
SEP 24th Walk starts at
11am
St. Christina Fields 11149 S. Central Park Chicago, IL
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE
SEPT 11th - 17th
In the past, many of you have taken time during National DSP Recognition Week to show your appreciation to the amazing DSPs who support your family at GCS. This year we ask again for your help in acknowledging the extraordinary work they do each and every day of the year. READY TO SHOW SOME LOVE? Here are a few ideas for DSP Week... • Share a message to our facebook page or info@ GardenCenterServices.org email • Send in a card with a heartfelt note • Send in some snacks or candy • Donate a gift card to be used in our recognition week drawings Please consider being a part of this year’s celebration in whatever way you can. Prefer to make a donation online? Visit GardenCenterServices.org.
More info? Contact Michele mhula@gardencenterservices.org
Seeds Future for the
Garden Center Services LEGACY SOCIETY
Call Gerry for more info 773-941-4151 Ext. 201
Store Hours Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 4pm NEW! Donation Hours Thursdays & Saturdays 10am to 2pm More info? Click the THRIFT link on the Garden Center website.
Join us for our September Savings event! We have been collecting some great costume pieces for Halloween. Tag us on social media, #SecondChanceThriftShoppe, with your costume using something from the Shoppe, and enter a chance to win a gift card!
chance to invite you, the parents/guardians/families/& friends, to join us in the effort to really show our appreciation and admiration to these fine staff that provide such quality services to our loved ones. On the page above, you will find an article detailing a number of things you can do to show your gratitude or, if you prefer, you can visit our webpage to make a donation. Please take a few moments to really make someone’s day! Thank you and Take care.