JUL/AUG
2022
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mary & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 SECOND CHANCE UPDATE Page 2 OMAR JOINS FUSION! Page 3 SUPER SUNNY WALK ‘N ROLL Page 4
I was thinking this past weekend, as many of us were finding ways to celebrate July 4th, a holiday set aside to recognize our declaration of independence from our British forebears, how what is truly needed is a daily acknowledgment of our real interdependence on one another. I appreciate the quote you’ll find on this page as it emphasizes that our journey towards real liberation and understanding can only come about if we are making that walk hand in hand.
I want to believe that it is this quality of connection that makes Garden Center the nurturing place that it is. There is constant experience of how the overlapping lives of the individuals that attend our programs, their families, and our staff, become a source of joy and healing for all of us.
None of us can ever save himself; we are the instruments of one another’s salvation, and only by the hope that we give to others do we lift ourselves out of the darkness into light. -Dean Koontz During the on-boarding of new employees at the agency, they participate in a 120-hour training program, and during that time I’ll have an hour
or two to discuss the history of Garden Center and more importantly, our philosophy around service delivery. I will typically weave into the conversation how for me, over the many years that I’ve spent time with persons with disabilities, one of the greatest perks has been the incalculable impact of being with others that accept you as you are, and to know that you can provide that to them as well! One of the new sites where these wonderful connections are happening is the Second Chance Thrift Shop that opened June 15th at the 10444 S. Kedzie location. We’re very pleased to have the store opened and have been happy with the steady flow of customers that are stopping by. It brings me great joy that every continued on page 4
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE UPDATE On June 15th, after a two-year hiatus, Garden Center’s Second Chance Thrift Shoppe finally re-opened in our new Mt. Greenwood home. A line of people were waiting outside when the doors opened at 10am with 125 shoppers attending the big day! Numerous patrons left messages on our social media, website, and other outlets. Here are just a few of the comments we received... “Very nice! Clean and nicely organized. Friendly staff.”, “Very clean and organized…very nice items...good cause….great for the neighborhood.”, “... my all time favorite thrift shop!”. Getting ready to open the doors!
A huge shout out to Alaina - Thrift Shoppe Manager, Jack - Thrift Retail Associate, and our mighty volunteer crew for making this event a huge success! See you at the Shoppe soon! 10444 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago. See ad on back.
WE’D LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN US!
Retail Associate (Paid position) Retail/Thrift experience is preferred. Contact Michele at mhula@ GardenCenterServices.org for more information. Volunteer We have several short shifts available. Ability to help on donation days would be appreciated. Complete a volunteer application on our website or contact Alaina, Second Chance Thrift Manager at aroche@GardenCenterServices.org.
THE SUNNY SMASH WAS...A SMASH!
Tanks & Spanks Sunny Smash Champions!
On Saturday, June 4th, Garden Center held our first ever Sunny Smash Softball Tournament at St. Christina Fields. The event was organized by Garden Center’s young professional association, the New Growth Advocacy Board, and their Smash event leader, Shannon O’Connell. Sixteen teams competed at the event with over 300 people in attendance. It was a beautiful day and it was amazing to be together at a Garden Center event again! We are incredibly humbled and thankful for our many event sponsors and donors who helped GCS bring in over $20,000 for programs and services. Please check out the list of businesses and donors below who generously sponsored the Smash, and help us show our appreciation to these great supporters of GCS.
The HALL OF FAME Lovelady SPONSOR
SUNNY SMASH SPONSORS HALL OF FAME • The Lovelady Family
MVP • Chicago Fire Protection
GOLD GLOVE • • • •
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Linda Sherwood Jenny Wojcik Kaman Tool Corp. Robert Sibik
HOME RUN • Kevin Doherty • Mark & Kari Riordan
• • • • •
John R. Considine Jr. The Alley Cats Haworth Beagles Family DuMais Pediatrics Dave Rauen
2-BAGGER • • • • • • • • •
Robert Milan Julie Ciesielski Denny Conway Family Essential Home Services Craig Head Family Donald Crowe Thomas Driscoll Pete Meyer Joe Voves - Country Financial
Family
• • • • • • • • •
Pete’s Service Center Birdies Sports Bar & Grill Hillside Chatham Florist Chuck’s Southern Comfort Cafe Express Med Spa Chicago La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant Bush Family Eye Care Tom Walsh - Edward Jones Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities
SUPPORTERS • • • •
Calabria Imports Brackenbox Ohana Ice & Treats Jefe’s Catering
• • • •
Kenneth Stout William McKeown Thomas Beemsterboer Rosemary DuMais
SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT UPDATE - OMAR JOINS FUSION RECPLEX! This June, Omar started work at Burbank Fusion Recplex where he works alongside Fusion’s Maintenance Manager, Mike. Omar is responsible for cleaning up litter around the building, disinfecting tables and gym equipment, setting up for events, as well as window cleaning - that’s a LOT of windows! When asked about his new job, Omar said he really enjoys having a job because he is making good money and he loves setting up for all the special events they do at the park district. Omar’s first day!
Congratulations Omar!
There are even more hard-working folks ready for their chance at a great job in our 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 LaPointe, Garden Center’s Community Integration Specialist, by phone at 708.398.6504 or by email at aLaPointe@GardenCenterServices.org.
WELCOME JOHN SCHUETZ TO COMMUNITY DAY SERVICES John Schuetz joined Garden Center in 2007 as a Direct Support Professional in our Austin home. Since then, John has been a House Manager (now known as Team Lead), a Team Lead Administrator, and most recently a CILA Director, where he has served for the past 10 years. John will now take on another new role at Garden Center, Director of Community Day Services. John’s many years of supervisory/administrative experience and solid personal relationships with the individuals we serve there will be a huge asset to the program. John plans to move to his new digs at the State Road building later this month. Be sure to stop in and say, “Hello!”.
NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS WEEK Each September, Garden Center, along with agencies across the country, celebrate National Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Week. The goal of the week is to honor the essential staff who enable people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to live full, healthy lives in their communities. Because of you, over the past two years, we have had the most amazing DSP Weeks! In 2020 & 2021, there was more family involvement in DSP celebrations than ever before. So many of you took time to show your appreciation to the amazing people who support your loved ones at GCS by sending in thoughtful notes, gift cards, candy, and even meals! This year we again ask for your help in acknowledging the extraordinary work these staff do each day of the year. Contact Michele Hula for more information on how you can get involved at mhula@GardenCenterServices.org.
Mark your calendar...
Save these important dates! JUL 15th
Developmental Disability Professional Day (This is a day to
AUG 13th
Elvis Night at Windy City Thunderbolts (see Gerry for tickets)
SEP 5th
Labor Day (community day services closed)
show our appreciation to QHSPs and Behavioral Support Professionals)
SEP 12th-18th Direct Support Professional Recognition Week SEP 24th
Super Sunny Walk ‘n Roll (see page 4) GCS plans to close Day Services for a staff in-service day 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
Super Sunny Walk ‘n Roll
and independence
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 on Saturday, September 24th at St. Christina Fields, 11140 S. Central Park in Chicago.
8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL 60459
Join us for a day of fun, food & friends!
10444 S. Kedzie Chicago, IL 60655 phone 773-941-4151
Family packets have been sent and sponsorship packets will be mailed soon.
email info@GardenCenterServices.org web www.GardenCenterServices.org
Visit our website to register, sponsor, or for more information.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President
Donna Blair
Treasurer
Anthony Di Miele
Secretary
Cindy Malloy
Members
Lisa Beemsterboer
11am
St. Christina Fields 11140 S. Central Park Chicago, IL
for the
John Dahlke Mary Gill Dr. Chris Grunow
Garden Center Services LEGACY SOCIETY
Mary Ann Lema
Maria Zeimen, OSF
Walk starts at
Seeds Future
Shannon Benaitis
Ava Rhodes - Smith
SEP 24th
Contact Gerry at 773-941-4151 Ext. 201 for more information.
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE Store Hours Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 4pm
OUR MISSION Advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them.
NEW! Donation Hours Thursdays & Saturdays 10am to 2pm
(Tuesday donation hours are temporarily suspended until we are able to catch up on processing your very generous donations and/or we get more volunteers!)
More info? Click the THRIFT link on the Garden Center website. Interested in helping us get through our mountain of donations? Contact Alaina at aroche@GardenCenterServices.org continued from page 1
weekday, Tuesday through Friday, there is a small group of participants from our Community Day Services program accompanied by a staff person that are providing real help at the shop while receiving training on a myriad of skills. The store is generating some revenue for the agency and is also helping us to have a greater presence in the Mt. Greenwood community. I also want to stress that we are still in need of volunteers! If you have a few hours a week you can dedicate to help us out, it would be greatly appreciated. Just contact our delightful store manager, Alaina Roche, at aroche@GardenCenterServices.org Please have a safe and happy rest of the summer. I hope to see many of you at the 15th Annual GCS Walk ‘n Roll. Don’t be surprised if I try to reach out and hold your hand!!