SEP/OCT
2019
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
our programs. Jill shared with me memories of as a child playing in classrooms at the State Road facility as her parents attended membership meetings!
Jill, Sunny & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 NATIONAL DSP WEEK Page 2 ADOPT-A-HOME UPDATE Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
At the beginning of this month’s newsletter article I would ask that you join me in recognizing Ms. Jill Smith’s 30 years of dedicated, unselfish service at Garden Center Services. There is something so positive and wholesome as I think about her connection with our agency and how it is so representative of Garden Center’s core commitment to family values and of who we continuously strive to be. For those of you that are unaware, Jill’s original connection with the agency was through her sister Kimmy that was supported by
and experience the wonder and integrity regarding the circle of life!
Upon reaching employment age Jill came on board as a Jill o bus aide. Through the n on L a GCS years she has held ake M crui ichig se a number of positions an and at each she has demonstrated a strong Speaking of work ethic and willingness that circle, I’m hoping many to help others. As she of you will be attending developed greater skills and our 63rd Annual Gala knowledge she has taken celebrating our agency on bigger responsibilities and most importantly the and in her current role as incredible individuals that Chief Accountant she is we’re honored to support. instrumental in ensuring This event was started by the that we receive all of parents who helped found our state funding! It is so the agency as a means suitable and satisfying to of generating revenue share with you that Jill’s and recognizing the own daughter Abby has participants and programs volunteered and worked at that was becoming Garden the agency and is pursuing Center Services, and this a Special Education continues to be our goal. degree! It feels good at The event this year is being times like this to step back held Friday, October 4th, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS WEEK NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION WEEK Sept 8th - 14th
Show some love for the AMAZING DSPs that support your family!
NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION WEEK Sept 8th - 14th
This September, Garden Center, along with agencies across the country, will be celebrating National Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Week. The goal of the week is to honor Show some love for the AMAZING DSPs that support your family! the essential staff who enable people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to live full, healthy lives in their communities. This September 8th through 14th, Garden Center will celebrate our amazing Direct Support Professionals with raffles, gifts, parties and more. 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 day of the year.
NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION WEEK Sept 8th - 14th
Show some love for the amazing DSPs that support your family QUESTIONS? Contact Cindy at chaworth@gardencenterservices.org or 815-263-7419
READY TO SHOW SOME LOVE? Here are a few ideas... • Share a message to our facebook page • Send in a card with a heartfelt note • Donate a gift card to be used in our recognition week drawings
NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION WEEK Sept 8th - 14th
A word from you means so much to our staff. Please consider being a part of this year’s celebration in whatever way you can.
GC ADVOCATES You may remember that last October, a group from Garden Center attended the Speak Up & Speak Out self-advocacy summit in Springfield, IL. Following that event, the attendees were inspired to start their own advocacy group, GC Advocates, at Garden Center. The group officially started in January 2019 at our Kedzie location, followed in May 2019 by a chapter at our State Road Building. Meetings are open to all, but both groups have a core constituency who attend regularly. The group has worked to define what advocacy and SelfAdvocacy means to them and what it will mean to be a member of their group. The definition decided on was “Individuals with disabilities talking about their rights, respect and teamwork to make the world a better place for themselves.” The group focuses on learning from other advocates - through webinars and information put out by other advocacy groups. Recently the two GCS groups defined a what their rights mean to them, and what it looks like to support them in making sure their rights are respected. You can check these out on the large billboard at the State Road building and coming soon to a billboard at the Kedzie location. This October, several group members will again attend the Speak Up & Speak Out Summit in Springfield, but this year, one of our own GC Advocates members, Becca, will be presenting at the event. Check out our next issue for updates on the GC Advocates and conference highlights.
Some of the GC Advocates from the Kedzie location
TENDING OUR GARDEN... The Knights of Columbus has held their annual Tootsie Roll Drive to raise funds for programs that support individuals with intellectual disabilities since 1970. The initiative started with a council in Tinley Park, Illinois and has now been adopted by Knights of Columbus Councils in 44 other states. Annually, the Knights of Columbus of Illinois alone raise almost $2 million dollars for organizations like Garden Center in Illinois! These Knight Councils can not do it alone. Each year the Knights ask our supporters to volunteer just a couple hours of their time to help them fill the volunteer slots for the drive.
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The Annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive is just around the corner!
Please consider taking some time out of your schedule to help. THANK YOU!
Tootsie Roll Drive
SEPT 13 & 14 7am to 4pm
Call Pete at 708.205.1772 to volunteer for a 2-hr shift Tell him you are supporting Garden Center!
ADOPT-A-HOME UPDATE
New wall art and paint at the ICF make the living room space more inviting
Last year it became apparent the living room furniture at the ICF home was nearing the end of it’s life. Because of the heavy use furniture at the ICF home gets, Sheryl Kincinas, the home’s Director, knew she needed to purchase something specifically built to hold up and that could easily be cleaned and disinfected when needed. As you can imagine, this type of furniture is extremely expensive. Sheryl contacted families of those who live in the home to see if anyone might be able to donate toward the essential purchase. She was ecstatic when several families donated to the cause with enough left over to purchase several pieces of beautiful wall art. Another family even donated to have the home painted to go with the updated look. Now the living room is a more comfortable, peaceful setting for everyone to relax.
Projects like this one make a significant difference in the daily lives of those we support. Our new beautiful, sturdy, Many such “renovations” have been made possible at several of our homes through our easy-to-clean furniture is Adopt-a-Home program. But the program is about more than cosmetic changes. Adopt-aalso more comfortable! Home participants throw parties for people we support, help purchase holiday gifts for those who don’t have family, do a little yard clean up, or even just come hang out for a game night. Several of our homes are still in need of a family, business, or fraternal organization that will take them under their wing. You don’t need to take on huge projects, anything you can do is a appreciated! Contact Gerry Beagles at 708.560.4400 or gbeagles@GardenCenterServices.org for more information. Check out next issue of The Leaflet to learn about the new bathroom remodel at the ICF!
GARDEN CENTER SERVICES 63RD ANNUAL GALA The Gala is almost here and there are a few things you should know...
1. FREE Shuttle Service will be offered from our State Road day program location to our new venue, Chicago Gaelic Park. If you would like to take the shuttle, please sign up with Sandi by 10/1/2019. 2. Get Your Tickets before prices increase! Tickets may be purchased through Sandi or on the Garden Center Services website. 3. Ad Book messages are due by 9/3/2019 4. Basket Help We are getting together some amazing raffle basket prizes. You can help by dropping off supplies anytime or helping assemble baskets at one of our basket making parties on Sept 7th or Sept 21st • 9:30am to noon • Kedzie Building 10444 S. Kedzie Ave. in Chicago. (The enclosed form can be used to solicit prizes.)
Sandra Coleman scoleman@gardencenterservices.org or 773-941-4151 Ext. 202
Mark your
NEW d NEW ay time NEW location
6pm to 10pm Chicago Gaelic Park 6119 W. 147th St. Oak Forest $65 Adult $30 Child (12&under)
SEP 2 GCS Day Programs closed for Labor Day
calendar...
SEP 7 & 21 Gala Basket Assembly Party & Item Drop Off 9:30am to noon SEP 12 growARTS vending at the Clearbrook Expo SEP 13 & 14 Tootsie Roll Days (see article on page 2 for more info) SEP 29 growARTS vending at St. Fabian Vendor Fair OCT GCS Halloween Party TBD OCT 4 GCS’ 63rd Annual Gala OCT 5 growARTS vending at Reavis Craft Show
Need not be present to win. Contact Sandi for more info at scoleman@gardencenterservices.org
More Dates...
Drawings Wednesdays at 7:30pm Thee Snooty Fox & Hounds 501 Willow Blvd. in Willow Springs.
OCT 9 GCS’s New Growth Advocacy Board hosts First Annual Disability Services Symposium at St. Xavier (growARTS vending here too!) DEC 3 Giving Tuesday DEC 6 GCS Annual Holiday Bazaar DEC 13 GCS Staff Christmas Party - Please contact us if you can help so all staff are able to attend at some point throughout the evening. MAY 30 GCS’s New Growth Advocacy Board hosts Softball Tournament
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Growing dignity
AROUND GARDEN CENTER
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
n en & Do Chris, Ky at the ballpark y’s da have a gu
Margaret and Richard show off their winnings at St. Albert The Great Carnival
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President
Paul Krutulis
Vice President
Joan Strainis
Treasurer
Anthony Di Miele
Secretary
Florence Head
Members:
Tom Beemsterboer Donna Blair Representative Fran Hurley Dave Rauen Ava Rhodes - Smith
Fun at the Dells!
Ashley & Layla volunteering at the Salvation Army
OUR MISSION Advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
from 6-10 p.m. at Gaelic Park. We believe our staff and committee have put together a wonderful event including awesome live and silent auction prizes, a wonderful array of raffle baskets, the sure to win cork pull, and a nice program acknowledging the individuals that we are all here for. Tickets are on sale now on our website, www. GardenCenterServices.org, or may be purchased from Sandra Coleman, 773-941-4151 Ext. 202. Also NEW THIS YEAR, GCS will be offering FREE SHUTTLE to our new venue, Chicago Gaelic Park. Contact Sandra for more information. I look forward to seeing you there!