JAN/FEB
2019
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
you and your families a happy, healthy, and peace filled 2019!
Karen, Gerry & Margaret
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT Page 2 SPEAK UP SPEAK OUT Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
2019! How can that be! It seems like it wasn’t that long ago that we were all preparing for the Y2K disaster! It’s been fifteen years now that I’ve been with Garden Center Services and I cannot believe how quickly the times goes by. So many good things have occurred over this period, and I cannot thank each of you enough that has contributed to the increase of the quality and scope of our services through your time, energy, labor, and financial support! For myself, my wife Cindy, and our Board of Directors, we certainly wish
Over this past Christmas season there were so many individuals, families, company groups, or fraternal organizations that came forward to volunteer their efforts to ensure that the persons we serve would experience a joyful holiday. We are so grateful to all of you and hope that you truly understand the huge impact that you have made on the wonderful individuals that attend our programs. Please be aware that as we head into these quieter winter months we continue to welcome individuals or groups that wish to contribute their special talents or skills towards enhancing our programs. The associations that represent us in Springfield have already begun communicating with the Pritzker transition team and making them aware of
the needs of the disability communities and the agencies that serve them. We are hopeful that Governor Pritzker will work with the Illinois’ legislature to establish a budget that will contain a decent rate increase for agencies like ours that have not received rates reflecting the growing costs of doing business for many years! As we need help garnering support for the passage of certain bills, we will be reaching out to you. Enjoy this edition of the Leaflet, and the articles and pictures that demonstrate the many ways that we are collectively enhancing the lives of adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities! Take care,