NOV/DEC
2019
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Steven & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 HOST HOME PROGRAM Page 2 GALA RECAP Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
It’s so hard to believe that suddenly we find ourselves preparing for the holidays. Certainly the brisk temperatures and the snow we’ve already gotten makes it feel like that time of year. Let me start off my article by wishing each and every one of you, on behalf of our Board of Directors and all of our participants & staff, an upcoming holiday season filled with quiet moments of gratitude and joy filled celebrations of Christmastime. My sincere wish this year is that we
collectively strengthen our commitment to treat one another with profound kindness, compassion, and understanding. I also want to express my gratitude to all of you that have contributed your time, energy, talents, and personal means to positively impact the individuals served by Garden Center Services and helped them to enhance their own strengths and life experiences. “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!” -Hamilton Wright Mabie
Your generosity was certainly on display at last month’s 63rd Annual Gala held at Gaelic Park on Friday evening, Oct. 4th. We were heartened by the more than 400 plus attendees and the active participation in the
many raffles, auctions, and games provided by our wonderful event staff and incredible gala committee. At last count the event had netted over $105,000 in revenue for the agency and the awesome individuals we are allowed to serve. I think the most important moment of the evening was the happiness and pride you witnessed on our participants as they watched and took part in the evening’s program highlighting the various experiences they have through Garden Center Services. Please enjoy the rest of this issue of the Leaflet. You’ll also find a calendar with important dates for the next two months. Take care.
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY GARDEN CENTER’S HOST HOME Have you heard about Garden Center’s Host Home Program? Garden Center’s Host Home Program matches individuals with disabilities to an individual or family home. The Host provides minimal supports the person needs outside of day program hours in a family setting. Reimbursement for Host Families is generous and support from Garden Center will be available at all times. Please keep this great program in mind for yourself, family or friends that may be interested. Host Families create bonds of friendship that can last a lifetime.
For more information: Please contact Cindy at chaworth@gardencenterservices.org or 773-941-4151 Ext. 213
AWARENESS & ADVOCACY Disability Services Symposium - St. Xavier University On October 9th , St. Xavier University hosted the Disability Services Symposium organized by Garden Center New Growth Advocacy Member, Nancy Lesnicki. The networking and advocacy symposium introduced St. Xavier students to the developmental disability field through presentations by Garden Center Services staff. Speak Up Speak Out Summit - Springfield, IL In October, Jonathan, Shelby, Patrick, Ashley, Joshua, Katie, Victoria, Adam, and Becca attended the ARC’s 11th annual Speak Up Speak GCS’ John Schuetz speaks about Out Summit in which they attended promoting independence for individuals breakouts on topics like; Be the Leader with disabilities at St. Xavier’s Disability Services Symposium of Your Healthcare Team, Step Aside: I’ve Got This, and The Power of SelfAdvocacy. Becca and Meg presented a breakout of their own, How to Be a SUPERSTAR: The Basics of Effective Communication. We look forward to Garden Center’s Self-Advocates bringing the information they learned at the summit back home to their self-advocacy group, GC Advocates, which they started after last year’s summit. GREAT JOB ADVOCATES!
Katie, Victoria, Adam & Becca having fun at the costume dance
Becca & Meg present a breakout
GCS’s Inaugural Leadership Program Cohort has Graduated! This past Wednesday, marked the end of a nine-month journey for Garden Center staff persons Asia, Yvonne, Shannon, Valencia, Dora, and Malisha. This group of amazing ladies just completed Garden Center’s first ever Leadership Program! Under the direction of Shannon Benaitis of Albatross Training Solutions, group members met regularly to discuss topics of leadership and completed projects that had an immediate positive impact on the people and programs they oversee. As the program continued, the group created a strong bond and became an important support system for each other. They plan to continue to meet as a group with Shannon B. for further training and as a support for one another.
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GCS’s Inaugural Leadership Class
Asia, Yvonne, Shannon, Nicole, Valencia, Dora (not pictured) and Malisha with Shannon B. (center)
CONGRATULATIONS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM GRADUATES We look forward to even more amazing things from you!
GARDEN CENTER SERVICES 63RD ANNUAL GALA October, 4th was Garden Center’s 63rd Annual Gala, Because of You. Although it has been known by other names, this event is a core tradition of the agency. This year brought major changes including a new day, new time, and a new location. We are excited to announce that this year was our most successful Gala to date!
Gerry with Master Gardner Award recipients Ted and Shelley Alexander of Pete’s Service Center
Because of YOU ... Garden Center Services raised over $105,000 (Net) and more than 400 attendees were blown away by; over 115 Raffle Baskets, $10K in Auction Prizes, $25K in Paddle Raises, a sold-out Party Pull with over 100 guaranteed prizes, and an amazing evening of food, family and friends.
We’d like to thank our Gala Committee: Florence Head, Joan Strainis, Dorothy Ballis, Lisa Beemsterboer and our Gala Sub Committee Members: Joan Aderman, Paula Kudlinski, Debbie Hokinson, Josanne Miller, Mary Lepkowski, Ava Smith, Peggy Schillne, Kathleen Malloy, and Cindy Malloy. And a huge shout out to all of our Gala volunteers who worked so hard to make the evening run smoothly, and to all of you who attended, donated & participated in this fantastic event! THANK YOU!
WE
YOUR OLD PICTURES!
We’re crazy about “Old School Cool” and are going to start putting some of our own back-in-the-day photos in the Garden Center employee newsletter. If you would like to share some pics of your loved ones as younger adults or children, we would love to share them with our staff! Forward pictures to Cindy at chaworth@GardenCenterServices.org.
Mark your
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Each year, GCS holds a holiday party for our staff. We use volunteers and create rotating staff schedules to enable residential staff to have the opportunity to attend at least a portion of the evening.
calendar...
opportunity Party is a rare Our Holiday who work f af er with st to get togeth tions & shifts different loca
If you would like to volunteer to help out at a home so a staff person can attend the party, please contact Cindy at chaworth@ gardencenterservices.org or call her at 773-941-4151 Ext. 213
NOV 23 GCS Family & Friends Forum • 8333 S. Austin in Burbank • 10:30am - noon
is DEC 3rd
Visit www.GardenCenterServices.org for more information
More Dates...
Donations made to Garden Center now through DEC 3rd WILL BE MATCHED
NOV 28 & 29 GCS Day Programs CLOSED for Thanksgiving DEC 3 Giving Tuesday DEC 6 GCS Annual Holiday Bazaar • 8333 S. Austin in Burbank •1pm to 6pm DEC 11
GCS Consumer Christmas Party
DEC 13
Volunteers needed for the Staff Christmas Party
DEC 24 & 25
GCS Day Programs CLOSED for Christmas
JAN 1 GCS Day Programs CLOSED for New Year’s
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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
Sue Jane and
VendorBooths
email info@gardencenterservices.org
only $25
web www.GardenCenterServices.org
708-398-6504
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Holiday Bazaar
President
Paul Krutulis
Vice President
Joan Strainis
Treasurer
Anthony Di Miele
Secretary
Florence Head
Members:
Tom Beemsterboer
G C S ’
Donna Blair Representative Fran Hurley
A N N U A L
F R I D AY , D E C E M B E R 6 1pm to 6pm
Dave Rauen Ava Rhodes - Smith
Marlon, Victoria, and Tracey grab lunch out
8333 S. Austin
Proceeds benefit residential and vocational programs for adults with intellectual disabilities
OUR MISSION Advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them.
by Garden Center
Services
GCS 2019 Garden Center Services Holiday Catalog 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL
www.GardenCenterServices.org GCS Branded Long Sleeve Beach Wash Tee
Donating Baked GOods to Sell? please bring them in by 11am on the 6th $20 Thank You!
Show off your GCS pride in this cool, extra soft, long-sleeve tee with a vintage look and feel. Sizes: Small - 4XL, unisex Poppy
Tidal
Safari
Iris
Merlot Pewter
Fresh Wreaths
Halloween fun at the ICF
Welcome Santa with this festive LIVE wreath. Each wreath has a large bow and pinecones throughout. 24” (24) - $20 36” (36) - $35 for more great holiday gifts come to....
YOUR GCS HOLIDAY ORDER FORM IS INSIDE THIS ISSUE! Order your GCS wear and fresh 6 wreaths TODAY for pick-up on DEC 6th at the Holiday Bazaar! th
and so much more! Doggie Bow-ties
Hand-made candles
Hand-made soaps
Pet Beds
Holiday Decor
More Halloween Fun at State
Check out the insert in this Leaflet to see how you can help GCS on GivingTuesday and get one of these limited-time GCS branded hats just in time for Christmas! ted Limi time ! only
GARDEN CENTE SERVICES R