GCS Newsletter THE LEAFLET Issue JAN/FEB 2022

JAN/FEB

2022

Garden Center Services

The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Cindy drops by the state building with food!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 STILL AMAZING Page 2 THE LYNX PROJECT Page 3 COVID UPDATE Page 4

As you read through this edition of The Leaflet it becomes very apparent that we have many things to be grateful for here at Garden Center Services. We are honored to serve a group of the most genuine and tender- hearted individuals on the planet!

We have a collection of caring, capable employees that during this challenging time have demonstrated time and again the depth of their commitment and compassion. And we have people like you, those reading this newsletter, family

and friends of our agency, that continuously amaze me with the generosity of your donations and unfailing moral support!

So even as we deal with the fatigue and restrictions of this virus, it is very beneficial to stop, breathe, and reflect on the blessings in our lives.

It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.

-Germany Kent

A specific blessing I experienced recently was a call from a couple living near Lemont. I didn’t remember ever meeting them but they had frequented our Second Chance thrift shop and had

attended one of our galas.

They were contacting me to let me know that as they were recently redoing their will, they wanted to make sure that Garden Center Services would receive a portion of their estate! I was just astounded. This gracious couple, with no formal ties to our agency, had decided to help ensure the ongoing presence of Garden Center Services in the lives of adults with developmental disabilities.

This was very timely as our fund development team has been working to establish our agency’s planned giving program called Seeds for the Future.

Included in this Leaflet is information for any of you that may be interested in pursuing this option.

Legacy Society Member pin

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GARDEN CENTER FAMILY GCS STAFF: STILL AMAZING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

This November, Garden Center celebrated the anniversary of Heather Kirpach who has provided excellent direct support services to people we serve for the past 25 years. That in itself is an amazing accomplishment and certainly says something about the continuity of services the people Heather works with have received.

But Heather is a part of an even bigger story at Garden Center. Garden Center has 41 staff who have been with the agency 10 years or more, with four of those serving over 20 years, and one person serving over 30!

You have heard us talk about the amazing staff here, their dedication, and recently how they have supported people throughout the pandemic; moving into the homes, learning all sorts of new healthcare skills they could have never dreamed they would need to know, and they do it all with compassion for those we serve and one another. It has not been easy, and at times it has felt downright impossible, but time and time again Cindy, Sunny, Heather, Garden Center’s dedicated staff have made it happen.

Joanne & Gerry In a field that is challenging in the best of times, and is dramatically underfunded all of the time, Garden Center staff continue to do their job and do it well. When businesses in the area are closing early or opening late because they have too many vacancies or their staff just didn’t show up, Garden Center staff arrive, don their full PPE when necessary, and get to work. It’s no secret, other agencies like Garden Center are struggling to hire enough staff to keep the doors open, while Garden Center currently has only three openings, which is just the typical ebb and flow of staffing any business. Garden Center staff have continued to fulfill our important mission, even when the odds have been against them.

If you would like to show your support for these amazing professionals, we ask that you join us when we request your assistance in advocating with legislators for the essential funding increases that will enable us to raise the rate of pay for our staff. They deserve more, and you can help.

Watch your email and Garden Center’s social media outlets for our Advocacy Alerts and show your appreciation with action.

GARDEN CENTER’S LEGACY FOUNDATION: SEEDS FOR THE FUTURE

Seeds Future for the

Garden Center Services LEGACY SOCIETY

One of the basic truths is the impermanence of our lives. While here, most of us try our best to make a positive difference in the lives of others. One way to continue that helpful influence long after you’ve gone is to become a member of Garden Center’s Seeds for the Future Legacy Society.

The Seeds for the Future Legacy Society recognizes those individuals who have chosen to leave a lasting charitable legacy by including Garden Center Services in their will, trust, or estate plan.

Those who remember Garden Center through a will, trust, or other planned gift, are invited to inform us of their intentions and join Garden Center’s Legacy Society. Too often, these gifts are unrecognized because we are unaware of these special gifts until the donor has passed away.

You may choose to remain anonymous in your philanthropy, however, participation in the Seeds of the Future Society can be inspirational and may encourage others to look toward the future and consider how they too may Contact Gerry at 773-941-4151 Ext. 201 for more information.

TENDING OUR GARDEN GIVING TUESDAY UPDATE We are so grateful to all of you who helped Garden Center fulfill the Giving Tuesday threshold match from The Coleman Foundation.

Because of you, Garden Center exceeded the required number of donors at $125 or more and received the full $12,500 matching grant from The Coleman Foundation.

Garden Center would also like to thank John Gino’s Pizza who generously donated 20% of all their sales on Giving Tuesday and Chuck’s Southern Comforts Cafe in Burbank who donated 5% of their Giving Tuesday sales to Garden Center!

As a result of your donations, the Coleman Foundation grant, and the support of our restaurant partners, Garden Center raised a total of $57,402 for services for adults with intellectual disabilities at Garden Center Services and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT OF GARDEN CENTER!

GardenCenterServices.org OR Text GCS to 56651

THRESHOLD MATCH

GARDEN CENTER SERVICES

100 donations of $125 or more by NOV 30th will earn GCS a $125 match for each from the Coleman Foundation!

L GOA ED! EED EXC

145!

GARDEN CENTER & THE LYNX PROJECT GET CREATIVE Last November, Garden Center embarked on a partnership with The Lynx Project, a Chicagobased nonprofit organization that amplifies diverse voices through new song commissions, inclusive concerts, and educational programming.

In our first of hopefully many future collaborations, Victoria, Toni, and Shannon at Garden Center’s State program met weekly with Lynx staff Caitleen, Christina and a different visiting guest artist every week. Each meeting showcased a performance by an artist, discussion, and a creative writing prompt. Toni & Victoria then worked on a poem over the week to share at the next meeting.

Lynx Project Meeting

tists, azing guest ar One of the amone Keanon Kyles Bass-Barit anonk) (@ke

We are grateful to Caitleen, Christina, and the Lynx Project Team who created this fantastic opportunity for creative self-expression and we look forward to many more collaborations in the future.

New beginnings in 20 22 Everyone is excited We celebrate

You stay up until midn ight Eat crab legs, eat pizz a At midnight we kiss Resolutions: be gratef ul, go to the social club

Check out The Lynx Project at lynxproject.org. Above is a piece the group wrote together at their last meeting before the holidays.

FAMILIES HELP MAKE GARDEN CENTER HOLIDAYS MERRY A big thank you to the many families who helped make the holidays extra special at Garden Center this year. So many of you sent in treats, cards, and gifts that made the season brighter for those we serve and our staff. THANK YOU! A Few Shout Outs A special thank you to the Kunkes family who again provided an amazing holiday meal and party for Thanksgiving and another at Christmas for everyone at the agency with delicious food & gifts!

A big thank you to the Kudlinski Family who provided meals for the homes in the lead up to both holidays helping make holiday preparations a breeze!

Thank you to the Sabatino and Cairo Families who funded delicious food for a great Christmas dinner at the ICF and even a few meals after, giving staff a break from cooking for a few days!

A special thank you to the Wojcik Family for providing a delicious holiday meal for Kolin CILA.

The Kunkes Family gearing up for the holiday party!

Thank you to the Strainis Family for providing great food for our New Year’s Eve party at Austin CILA.

Mark your calendar...

2022 GCS EVENTS Although COVID has made planning somewhat of a challenge, Garden Center is looking forward to a more normal event schedule in 2022. Mark your calendars for these upcoming events!

JUNE

CHARITY EVENT Presented by Garden Center Services’ New Growth Advocacy Board

Details TBD

SEP 24th Newcastle Park Burbank, IL

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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

John Dahlke

Vice President

Donna Blair

Treasurer

Anthony Di Miele

Secretary

Cindy Malloy

Members

Lisa Beemsterboer Shannon Benaitis

GARDEN CENTER DURING THE SURGE As a result of the recent surge of the Omicron COVID variant in our area, Garden Center scheduled an additional vaccine booster clinic just before Christmas and returned to at-home programming following the Christmas holiday. Staff from our day program have again jumped back into providing supports in our homes during the day. People who live with families as well as those who live at home with Garden Center continue to participate in SRCA’s Virtual Camp, where they can zoom in to see friends and play online games together like Family Feud and Bingo.

Our Day and Residential staff continue to show their dedication to those we serve through their dependability during what is not only a challenging time for those in their work family, but also for their families at home, as outbreaks leave few households untouched. We could not be more grateful to our resilient staff as we make our way through another surge.

We look forward to reopening our day program site on Monday, January 31st if the conditions allow.

Mary Gill Dr. Chris Grunow Rep. Fran Hurley

DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN!

Ava Rhodes - Smith

SECOND CHANCE THRIFT UPDATE

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Advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them.

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OUR MISSION

We have gotten pretty good at mask wearing. We are less likely to have to run back to the car to grab one before we go in to the store and (most of us) remember to keep our nose covered as well as our mouths, but we may be becoming more lax on another essential step of stopping the spread: hand hygiene. We all have COVID fatigue, but we must continue to wash our hands frequently and use hand sanitizer when hand washing is not an option. The same goes for your third hand... your phone! Sanitize it regularly too and let’s all stay healthy!

Secon d

Maria Zeimen, OSF

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G a rd e n C e nt er S

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Work is underway at the Kedzie building for the future Thrift Shoppe!

Interested in volunteering?

Donations Contact Denise Rau at We’ll notify you as soon as we are able 708-398-6576 to accept donations at the site

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Please watch for our action emails requesting your support of certain congressional activities. If the Build Back Better Act is passed and becomes law, people with disabilities and the direct care staff who support them will directly benefit from approximately $150 billion dollars of federal investment in increasing access to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). This is so important as we consider all those individuals on waiting lists for services like ours.

Finally, on behalf of myself and my wife Cindy, and our agency’s Board of Directors, I wish you all a joyful and healthy 2022!

Be safe and take care of one another.