GCS Newsletter THE LEAFLET MAY/JUN 2023

Garden Center Services

The View From My Chair

Gerry celebrates 20 years at GCS

Last Tuesday, May 2nd, was my 20 year anniversary being the Executive Director of Garden Center Services! After having almost thirty years in the field of developmental disabilities already, I could not have realized the inconceivable impact that coming here would have on me and my life. The time I have spent reflecting on the last twenty years has honestly been bittersweet. There has been so many positive, nurturing changes, as well as the joyful

celebrations and events to think on. But there has also been the passing of too many individuals, including participants, parents & guardians, board members, and staff, that all made lasting impressions on me and this agency.

Persons with developmental disabilities want help creating these five valued life experiences: belonging, respect, sharing spaces, contribution, and choice.

-John O’Brien

I was very fortunate that I had many mentors and teachers that helped shape my vision of how individuals should be seen, heard, and

supported. I am thankful to all of them but I realize that the instructors that made the strongest impact on my philosophy, and my life, have been the individuals with developmental disabilities themselves. I am awed by the unconditional regard and acceptance that they have bestowed on me as they allowed me to participate in their life’s journeys.

Words alone cannot express the gratitude and admiration I feel for all of you that have demonstrated such dedication and compassion as we have worked together to improve the quality of life for those persons we are honored to serve. I am confident that our employees, all of you, the Direct Support Professionals to the Executive Team, are the strongest group that I’ve ever encountered!

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

TAKING CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY GCS VOLUNTEERS AT COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE

Garden Center program participants have a long history of giving back to their communities.

GCS volunteer groups have been involved with numerous volunteer projects including cleaning toys at The Children’s Museum of Oak Lawn, caring for animals at Animals for Awareness, and are currently in their eighth year of delivering meals to seniors through our local Meals on Wheels program.

As a result of the COVID pandemic, several of the places we volunteered are no longer able to accept our help. That fact made us all the more excited when, this April, we began a new volunteer relationship with the Cook County Forest Preserve. Volunteers from GCS go to the preserve at least once a month to pick up trash and keep the area looking its best. If you know of a great volunteer opportunity in our area, contact John at jschuetz@gardencenterservices.org.

RICHARD RETIRES AFTER A DECADE WITH MCDONALDS IN OAK LAWN

Richard has been a part of the tight-knit Oak Lawn McDonalds Team for the past ten years. In that time, Richard has taken out tons of garbage, cleaned hundreds of tables, and made gallons of tea and coffee.

On April 28th, Richard’s coworkers threw a big retirement party for him with burgers, balloons, and a cake. They pinned a ribbon on his apron that says Retired. Off the Clock.

Richard will certainly miss his work friends, but he was very clear there is one thing at work he will not miss... the dishes. When asked what he is looking forward to most in retirement, Richard said, “Live the rest of my life and relax.”

That sounds like a great plan, Richard!

TENDING OUR GARDEN

iGive works with over 2300 of the most popular stores you shop online. Just go to iGive.com and register. Each time you shop online at stores like Walmart, Kohls, Crate & Barrel, PetCo., Best Buy, etc., those stores will donate a percentage of your purchase to GCS at no cost to you!

Shopping iGive even SAVES YOU MONEY! Watch iGive for coupons from all your favorite stores.

May is double donation month - double your impact when you shop all month long!

Visit www.iGive.com/GardenCenter to get started.

Richard (center) poses with his coworkers

Shelby, John, Karen & Patrick clean up the Preserve

THE 2ND ANNUAL SUNNY SMASH IS JUNE 3RD!

Teams can still register for the 2nd Annual Sunny Smash Co-Ed Softball Tournament. Teams that register after May 15th will not receive shirts.

NEW THIS YEAR! Teams will choose between two brackets:

• Competitive Bracket: for teams who play in a league and will compete for a cash prize

• Just for Fun Bracket: for teams who do not play competitively in a league and just want to play for fun.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON EVENT DAY

RAFFLES

Cool prizes including:

• Beats Fit Pro earbuds

• Titan Backpack/Cooler

• Portable, Gas Fire Bowl

• TWO Split-The-Pots

• & more!

You DO NOT need to be present to win.

WE NEED YOU!

GREAT FOOD & DRINK OPTIONS

From vendors including:

• Calabria on Wheels - Italian Beef, Hot Dogs, Italian Sausage, Caprese Subs & Homemade Chips (accepts cash & venmo)

• Jefe’s Catering - Steak & Chicken Tacos, Rice & Beans, Elote (accepts cash & credit)

• Cravings Ice Cream - FREE Dish of Ice Cream sponsored by Gerry Beagles & Cindy Haworth

If you’d like to volunteer for the Smash, follow the event link on our website! We appreciate any amount of time you can help. All volunteers receive a volunteer shirt. All-Day Volunteers also receive free lunch from one of our event food trucks.

EVENT DETAILS

2nd Annual Sunny Smash

Not Playing? You can order your own Smash shirt online and pick it up at the event. Visit our website for details.

Mark calendar...your

June 3 First game starts at 8am St. Christina Fields

11149 S. Central Park Chicago www.GardenCenterServices.org

Community Day Services will be closed on these dates in MAY/JUN

MAY 29 Memorial Day

JUN 19th Juneteenth

2023 Events

Growing dignity and independence

MAY ALL MONTH ALL DRESSES are 50% OFF!

MAY 27th SUPER SALE 50% OFF Storewide!

JUN 24th

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

General Store Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm

Donation Hours: Thursdays & Saturdays 10am to 2pm

We need you! Any time you can help is appreciated. If you can sign up for one fourhour 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 Facebook page link: www.facebook.com/GardenCenterServicesGCS

Second Chance Thrift Shoppe page link: www.facebook.com/gcsSecondChanceThrift

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Over the years at the agency I have had an abundance of moral and financial support from our families and from our friends! All the hours and hours volunteering at our events and donating to the various fundraisers we’ve held has been instrumental to getting us to where we are now! I also want to recognize those parent/guardians, family members, business & community leaders that have provided such encouragement and guidance by serving on the agency’s Board of Directors. Over the years we have dealt with a number of challenges and obstacles but we have always stayed focused and committed to caring for each individual with a compassionate, person-centered approach. I believe we’ve made great strides with the quality of the programs we provide, and I am also pleased with the gains we’ve made with the state’s funding that have allowed us to increase what we are able to pay our very deserving staff.

Let me just take a moment to mention one of our agency’s latest ventures. As many of you know, last June we opened up the 2nd Chance Thrift Shoppe at out Kedzie location. It’s been going well and I’m very pleased that we are now able to have a number of the individuals we serve spend time helping out and learning skills at the shop. We have a very dedicated, but small group of volunteers that help us keep the shop running. I would be very grateful if those of you reading this that have a few extra hours in your week would consider volunteering at the shop. Our individuals really do benefit from having it and through your volunteerism you are giving back to Garden Center.

I have been so blessed, and as I am given the strength and energy, it is my hope to continue walking this path with all of you for years to come!

Peace and Love,