JUL/AUG
2020
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gerry, Maureen & Rosa
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 IN THE HOMES Page 2 DAY SERVICES UPDATE Page 3 MORE NEWS Page 4
Over the past few weeks and months our community has been forced to deal with multiple difficult challenges – the COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting economic fallout, brutal scenes of racial oppression, and the following civil unrest. As an organization committed to the core values of respect, empowerment, and compassion, whose mission is to advance lives of connection, contribution, and meaning
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. -Martin Luther King Jr.
linked to those staff that volunteered to move into and work at the sites for weeks on end, and to the steadfast effort that we’ve made towards everyone adhering to the social distancing guidelines. I publicly want to express my deep appreciation for the direct care staff and our management team that has truly stepped up to the task over these past few months.
Regarding the coronavirus, this unprecedented health crisis has led to demonstrations of such incredible selfless acts of dedication and service that often my heart is overflowing with gratitude. The fact that as of yet we have not had one positive case of the virus at any of our homes is certainly directly
We also witnessed amazing support through the generous donations that many of you made to our COCID-19 Response Fund! Due to the shelter in place directives, we were unable to hold our annual Walk ‘n Roll and were disheartened by the lost revenue this would cause. Well, with the $42,000 in donations made to the Response
for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them, we must strive to be there for all people, whatever the source of their pain and loss.
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GARDEN CENTER FAMILY WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO AT HOME We have been busy! In the homes, we have been learning about taking care of ourselves and others by practicing meditation, yoga, exercise, and having spa nights. We have been learning to cook delicious foods like pizza, cupcakes, and guacamole! We attend weekly online art classes, music classes, and dance party competitions with SRCA. We are discussing individual rights and current events and have been busy planting vegetables and flowers around our homes. We celebrated the warmer weather with sundae bars, cookouts, mocktail & karaoke nights. And many of us have even taken some time out to join a parade or two, waiving at missed friends as we drive by! Thank you to all of the GCS staff who have been made these activities possible. We are looking forward to more fun times ahead!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITH FAMILY
We know how difficult this time has been for many families. We want to help ensure that Garden Center folks who live with their families are getting the support they deserve. Currently, we are offering three types of support opportunities: SKILL CLASSES These classes are available via Zoom or on individualized handouts for families to follow at their convenience. The classes are held once a week for 60 minutes. Class topics currently available: -American Sign Language (ASL) -Exercise -Supported Employment -Emotions and friendships -Leisure and social skills (bingo, trivia, etc.)
Zoom is a fun option for online GCS classes
INDIVIDUALIZED SKILL ACQUISITION PLANS If there are skills you would like to learn or improve on (ex: tooth brushing, money management, folding laundry, reading, etc.) we are happy to create individualized skill acquisition plans. These skills can be worked on 1:1 with a member of the behavior team outside of your home (following all CDC recommendations) or on handouts for the family to follow.
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PARENT SUPPORT We are also offering parent support with training on anxiety, depression, individualized behavior plans, along with general behavior reduction strategies based on your loved ones needs.
For more information, contact Erin Abell, BCBA at eAbell@gardencenterservices.org or 847-641-1534
COMMUNITY DAY SERVICES UPDATE The Community Day Programs have been closed since March 13th and latest guidance from the state is that we cannot open prior to September 1st. How programs re-open is being worked by the State and our Leadership Team. We want people to attend programs they enjoyed, but we need to make sure people are safe. The Department of Human Services is providing us an assessment instrument to be completed on each person served. While this tool will not make the decision about returning, it will give guidance to our families and staff regarding whether or not the start on September 1st makes sense for that person. Questions include whether the person can wear a mask, respect social distancing, is over 65 years old, or has other medical issues, among other things. There are more options now to provide day services in the group homes. This is an option we’ll be reviewing as things open up, and may be a way for people to have community experience in addition to activities at home, while not having to be at a day program 5 days a week. Transportation continues to be a significant issue for re-opening. It is likely we will not be utilizing PACE due to the exposure this would bring. We’re working on alternatives, but know that if you’re able to provide transportation, your family member’s ability to attend would be enhanced. We are also being asked by the state to provide an assessment of each site. This will help determine, given the size, number of rooms, and entrances etc., at each building, how many people we can support. It will also help us determine what personal protective equipment will be necessary, times/days of operation and so many other details. Our day programs won’t be opening and providing the same program we had on March 13th. We will however, be reaching out and providing more information as we work to support the most people we can in the safest way possible. Our hope is the final outcome will have the benefit of more options than we’ve had in the past for day services and possibly more ability to provide employment. While we’re excited to get going and open, these important goals are exciting as well.
GCS Curbside Grocery Pickup for Staff
Curbside pickup protects staff, their families, and those we serve
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Yasss that was such a great blessing. Thanks for all your hard work!
In an effort to minimize outside contacts for our staff, several of GCS’ day staff have been gathering food with the help of a local food pantry, Panera Bread, and KFC. These foods are packaged along with staples like milk, eggs, bread, fruit, and sometimes other supplies, into individual orders each week for all GCS staff. This has helped our staff avoid putting themselves, their families, and the people they serve at risk by having to pick up groceries at the store. We are grateful to the Garden Center staff, food pantry, Panera Bread, and KFC who have made ...it really helped out that I didn’t this possible and have to go out and buy those staple helped keep our items which also meant spending GCS Family safe. less time in the stores and also more money in my pocket. And was also able to share with extended family members who were without. Latonya
I very much appreciated the food. I know it was a lot of work, but having those few staples made a big difference.
Griselda
LaToya
Curbside pickup was a blessing to me and it saved me some trips to the store.
Gerri
I want to thank my Garden Center supervisors for allowing me to provide this service. During the Covid quarantine madness, it was a joy to see my co-workers for a brief moment through their cars. Doing this made my weeks purposeful and brought a much needed sense of normalcy. Being able to help out the GCS staff and keep them healthy meant a lot to me. I’m so proud of working for Garden Center. Knowing there’s an organization that cares so much (even during a pandemic) means the world. Let’s all continue to be #GardenCenterStrong.
Adriana takes food and supplies to staff in their vehicles
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Growing dignity and independence 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL 60459 10444 S. Kedzie Chicago, IL 60655
MORE NEWS COVID Response Fund Update GARDEN CENTER SERVICES
COVID-19 Response Fund
phone 773-941-4151 email info@gardencenterservices.org web www.GardenCenterServices.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President
John Dahlke
Vice President
Joan Strainis
Treasurer
Anthony Di Miele
Secretary
Florence Head
Members
Tom Beemsterboer Donna Blair Rep. Fran Hurley Dave Rauen Ava Rhodes - Smith Maria Zeimen, OSF
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT
Gala
These generous donations will help fund the increased costs related to staffing our homes 24/7, gear procurement, cleaning and disinfectant supplies, increased food provisions to the group homes, groceries for the GCS food pantry supporting our staff, curriculum materials for the homes, and a number of active plans we have in place to recognize and reinforce our great staff.
GALA NEWS
Our 2020 Gala has been tentatively rescheduled for Friday, April 9, 2021. As the time draws near, we will need to see where our state is relative to the coronavirus and the need for social safeguards. We hope this fall will provide some clarity on the potential to move forward with our plans and we will confirm those plans with you as soon as possible.
Cindy Malloy
How you can help We are so grateful to all of you who have helped make our days go by easier with your generous donations.
OUR MISSION Advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them.
As you can, please keep us in your thoughts. Donations of the following are still needed and greatly appreciated: • cloth masks • Clorox wipes • hand sanitizer
• puzzles • craft kits/supplies • lawn games
Contact Denise to schedule a time to drop off donations: 708-778-1288
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Fund added to the $25,000 sponsored match, we have surpassed the $67,000 mark which is just unbelievable! Thank you so much. The high incidence of the virus among African Americans and the unpardonable death of George Floyd and many other persons of color, has brought a laser focus to the deep and ever present biases in our culture. For over 60 years it has been Garden Center Services’ aspiration to protect and advocate for those members of our society that are marginalized and discriminated against. We must be committed to this not just for persons with developmental disabilities, but all persons. The diversity of our staff and the individuals we serve is one of the greatest strengths of our agency. Each of us must do whatever we can going forward to concretely demonstrate acceptance, empathy, and understanding. Please, now more than ever, let us be kind to one another. Peace,