FEB
2024
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
respect, empowerment, and compassion that we demonstrate to our staff.
Gerry & Ashley
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GCS’S PHOTOG CLUB Page 2 HOLIDAY JOY Page 3 THRIFT NEWS Page 4
Hello Everyone, and a Happy & Healthy 2024 to you! I’ve shared with you before that I truly believe Garden Center Services has the finest, most loyal employees of any agency I have knowledge of. I would imagine any of you that have direct contact with them would heartily agree. Cindy and I, as the leaders of this fine organization, understand that the quality of the care we offer to the individuals supported by our agency is directly connected to the
Over the past few years our agency has worked in collaboration with the associations that we are members of and the They Deserve More coalition to strongly advocate with our
The servant-leader is servant first, it begins with a natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first, as opposed to, wanting power, influence, fame, or wealth” -Robert K. Greenleaf
legislators to increase the hourly wage for our Direct Support Professionals. We were very pleased this past summer when
we were informed that our activism had been successful and that the approved budget for this current fiscal year included a $2.50 an hour increase for those employees that work directly with program participants. We were fortunate to be able to give this increase to our staff early; raising their rates by $1.25 in both July and again in November last year. This was their biggest increase in quite some time and I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you that took part in our advocacy efforts by calling, writing, or emailing your personal legislators. It is really true that the squeaky wheel gets the grease! There was some anxiety recently however when our state funder informed providers like us that the continued on page 4
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY CAPTURING MOMENTS, CREATING CONNECTIONS Garden Center Photography Club Garden Center offers many exciting classes and clubs in our Community Day Services program. One popular topic is photography. In GCS’s Photography Club, DSP Shay Hudson creates a space that encourages self-expression and empowers members to embrace their unique perspectives while exploring their artistic talents. Through hands-on activities, participants learn the fundamentals of photography, including composition, lighting, and storytelling. Photography Club
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Photography is a social activity, and the club provides a space for its members to connect with one another. Through collaborative projects and shared experiences, participants build meaningful relationships while creating beautiful art.
Renee st rikes a for Mary pose
JOINING FORCES FOR SUCCESS: GCS Secures Key Role in Multiple Major Projects PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Garden Center was one of five organizations in 2023 to receive funding through the IHDA’s Permanent Supportive Housing Development Program. Garden Center received $325,000 to go toward building Garden Apartments, a 16-unit permanent supportive housing development in Worth, IL. The building will have 12 one-bedroom units and 4 twobedroom units as well as ample community space, laundry, storage, gardens and a generous outdoor patio. All units will be targeted to individuals and families with disabilities earning at-or-below 30% of the area median income. NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROJECT Garden Center was one of five agencies in Illinois chosen to participate in the National Employment Opportunity (NEON) Project through the US Department of Labor. Garden Center will work with experts in the field of employment for individuals with disabilities to develop strategic plans for increasing employment opportunities for the individuals we serve, including those with significant disabilities and those who have faced additional barriers to employment. WORKFORCE GROWTH PROJECT Garden Center was one of 16 agencies chosen to join a multi-year project to collaboratively gather information, design, and implement solutions to solve the pressing challenge of recruiting and retaining dedicated staff and create a replicable template that can be used by other providers in the State of Illinois.
TENDING OUR GARDEN - Giving Tuesday Follow-up We are thrilled to express our deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity and support this past Giving Tuesday. Thanks to your unwavering commitment, we surpassed our fundraising goal with donations that continued to come in for weeks following Giving Tuesday! Because of you, Garden Center raised over $35,000 to make a meaningful impact on adults with disabilities.
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Together, we are making a difference, and your kindness has paved the way for an even brighter 2024. Thank you for being the driving force behind our success.
A HEARTWARMING TRADITION The Kunkes Family Brings Holiday Joy to Garden Center Once Again In the spirit of gratitude and generosity, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to a family that has been making a significant impact on the lives of those we serve during the holiday season for many years. The Kunkes family has hosted several annual Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at GCS, making the holidays brighter, especially for those who may not have families to celebrate with. In addition to hosting the delicious dinners, they go above and beyond by purchasing thoughtful gifts that enhance the lives of the individuals for whom they are intended. The family also generously purchases items that are needed at Garden Center homes; this year giving many incredibly useful items including air fryers, vacuums, and fluffy new bath towels. The Kunkes Family takes a quick pic at the Thanksgiving party they hosted
In a world that can sometimes feel disconnected, the actions of the Kunkes family serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one can have by spreading love and kindness. Their annual Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners have become more than just events; they are a source of genuine happiness for those who may otherwise feel overlooked during the holidays. May their tradition serve as a reminder that small acts of kindness can create ripples of joy that extend far beyond the initial act.
Thanksg iving Dinn er
Ensure Garden Center’s mission endures for generations to come.
Seeds Future for the
Contact Gerry at 773-941-4151 Ext. 201 for more information
Garden Center Services LEGACY SOCIETY
Mark your
SEP 21st
calendar...
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Save these important dates! MAY 27th
Memorial Day (Community Day Services closed)
JUN 19th
Juneteenth (Community Day Services closed)
JUL 4th
Independence Day (Community Day Services closed)
SEP 2nd
Labor Day (Community Day Services closed)
NOV 28th & 29th Thanksgiving Holiday (Community Day Services closed) DEC 24th & 25th Christmas Holiday (Community Day Services closed)
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Growing dignity
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SALES
and independence
Thrift Volunteer Holiday Party
8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL 60459 10444 S. Kedzie Chicago, IL 60655 phone 773-941-4151
Special Tag Sales
email info@GardenCenterServices.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President
Donna Blair
Vice President
Shannon Benaitis
Treasurer
Anthony Di Miele
Secretary
Cindy Malloy
Members
Lisa Beemsterboer John Dahlke
FEB
web www.GardenCenterServices.org
GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME
Any time you can help is appreciated. If you can sign up for one three-hour shift a week, that would be terrific! Visit our website and follow the THRIFT link for more information OR reach out to Gerry directly at 708-560-4400.
We’ve Moved! GARDEN CENTER SERVICES
Mary Ann Lema
FOLLOW US TO OUR NEW FACEBOOK ADDRESSES! Garden Center: www.facebook.com/GardenCenterServicesGCS Second Chance: www.facebook.com/gcsSecondChanceThrift
Ava Rhodes - Smith Maria Zeimen, OSF
30Blu%e
General Store Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm Donation Hours: Thursdays & Saturdays 10am to 2pm
Rep. Mary Gill Dr. Chris Grunow
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AROUND GCS
OUR MISSION Advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them.
ies Festivit Holiday
Garfie ld Con se Trip rvatory
Hibachi!
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Department’s way of calculating our rates this year would lead to a deep cut in the number of hours our direct support professionals would be funded to work. Some providers were going to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial support and find it necessary to terminate some individuals from their programs. It’s unfathomable that the staff at DHS thought that agencies like ours could accept a situation where we were now able to pay staff higher wages, but that the number of hours allocated to each agency would be cut! Having worked at the Division of Developmental Disabilities for years and now as a community provider, I know the importance and necessity of all of us working together in unity on behalf of persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to offer them the lives they deserve. There has been such an outcry from providers, families, advocate groups, and even legislators themselves, it does sound like state is now determined to address this rate setting calculation concern in a way that will lead to zero cuts in our DSP hours! Meanwhile, here at Garden Center Services, we will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of those individuals that we are lucky enough and honored to serve. With care,