MAR/APR
2020
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Milan & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT Page 2 GCS BOARD ELECTION Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to live active, fulfilling lives as members of our communities. This March, we’re celebrating National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month – honoring the individuals with disabilities who enhance our communities on a daily basis. Over the forty some years that I have been spending time learning from and supporting persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities I have witnessed the strides that have been made regarding how these individuals are interacted with and how they are supported. Thank goodness our society has moved to a much more person-centered, community based approach to services for this group of our citizens. That being said there is still much to be done for this group to lead full lives of connection, contribution, and meaning! I’m pleased that the current political environment in Springfield seems much more open to hearing and responding to our requests. Governor JB Pritzker has outlined a proposed FY21 budget
that gives priority to human services and seeks to revive the capacity lost during the budget impasse under the previous Administration. With this budget proposal the Governor has committed to a course that would ensure agencies such as ours would have the resources necessary to invest in the hopes of persons with disabilities, as well as the staff that support them. Our agency proudly continues to be part of the THEY DESERVE MORE COALITION that has fought for several years now to obtain increases in the wages earned by our direct care staff. Please be aware that the proposed budget acknowledges the continued on page 4
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT UPDATE This past November, Jonathan became the next in a long line of Garden Center Supported Employment participants to land a job! Jonathan is working at the Burbank Burger King where he organizes & restocks the condiment and pop station, fills the ice machine, wipes down windows and tables, takes our the garbage, sweeps the kitchen and as if that wasn’t enough, he also does dishes!
Jonathan making Burger King shine!
Jonathan & his ma nager, Josie
Jonathan’s coworkers love him and are always excited when he arrives. Jonathan says “It is an awesome job!” Congratulations Jonathan!
AWARENESS & ADVOCACY
Three of our NGAB membersShannon, , Josh & Kyle - pose with Kacie (Pop’s Manager) after making an event sponsorship presentation
In their inaugural year, Garden Center’s New Growth Advocacy Board (NGAB) has made a huge impact at GCS and they show no signs of slowing down! This past October, the group hosted a disability awareness networking and advocacy event with Saint Xavier University, and a movie night for GCS program participants with Marist High School. This May, the group will hold their first annual Sunny Smash Softball Tournament at St. Christina Fields and are currently working to secure corporate sponsors for the event. In the coming months, the NGAB will roll out a new digital fundraising opportunity for GCS supporters and will also be meeting with local businesses to secure corporate partnerships for Garden Center that will secure essential funding to benefit the agency’s mission. Garden Center is incredibly grateful to these motivated and enthusiastic young professionals who have committed their time and talent in support of our mission. If you are connected to a business that might be interested in partnering with GCS, the NGAB would love to make a presentation to explain how they could join GCS in fulfilling our mission for adults with intellectual disabilities. Please contact Sandi at Scoleman@gardencenterservices.org and the NGAB will take care of the rest!
New Location for Second Chance Thrift Shoppe We have finally identified a new location for the agency’s Second Chance Thrift Shop! It will be operated from a building that we are purchasing, located at 5730 W. 79th street in Burbank. For many years this was the site of an auto parts store, and it provides ample space for the thrift shop and also a small developmental training program.
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5730 W. 79th Burbank, IL
Once we close on the property, there will be work to do on the space, so for next couple of months the current shop will remain open in Lemont.
GCS BOARD ELECTIONS
We are grateful to Mr. Krutulis for his years of generous service on the Garden Center board
We have three new individuals who will be joining the agency’s Board of Directors. Mrs. Cindy Malloy and Mr. John Dahlke have a family connection with Garden Center Services, while Maria Zeimen, OSF has worked with adults with developmental disabilities for years and is currently volunteering at the Kedzie day program. We want to thank Mr. Paul Krutulis for his years of generous service on the board, most recently as the board president. Our board is a very dedicated, active group of individuals that commit their time, energy, and resources to ensure the financial stability and programmatic value of this agency.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunny Smash Co-Ed Softball Tournament Our New Growth Advocacy Board’s First Annual Sunny Smash Co-Ed Softball tournament will be held May 30th. Registration opens next week! Team Registration is $300 Visit our website or email soconnell1@gardencenterservices.org to:
CHARITY EVENT Presented by Garden Center Services’ New Growth Advocacy Board
2020 Super Sunny Walk n’ Roll The 2020 Super Sunny Walk n’ Roll is coming up fast! Mark your calendars and join us on June 6th for what promises to be another beautiful, sunny day to celebrate the warm weather and each other.
Register • Volunteer • Sponsor
2020
Watch for our new, exciting fundraising incentive package coming out next month!
Mark your calendar...
pring cleaning? Doing some s Shoppe! Chance Thrift
Second Chance Thrift Shoppe would love to have your new, and gently used items for our new location! Watch our facebook for details on when we can begin accepting your donations.
More Dates...
Think Second
MAR 8 Second Chance Super Sale APR 19
Second Chance Super Duper! Sale
MAY 8
Spring Clean up at the CILAs & ICF - watch Facebook for more info
MAY 30
Sunny Smash Co-Ed Softball Tournament
JUN 6 Super Sunny Walk ‘n Roll
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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
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joan Strainis Anthony Di Miele Florence Head
on Katie & D , n ia c u ,L Lorenzo Disney on Ice at
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Tom Beemsterboer Donna Blair Representative Fran Hurley Dave Rauen Ava Rhodes - Smith Maria Zeimen, OSF Cindy Malloy John Dahlke
Krista having fun with Lucy from Pet Partners of Illinois
Carol visits with Pet Partners of IL
OUR MISSION Advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them.
continued from page 1
realities of our fiscal situation and is a call to adopt the Fair Tax constitutional amendment, which will reduce taxes for a majority of Illinoisans while bringing in significant revenues crucial to health and human services in Illinois. Understanding the Governor’s proposed budget is the starting point in the annual appropriations process, we look forward to working with the legislature and you, our parent/guardians, to make sure that this year’s budget continues to move us forward with regard to the adequate funding of our services. If we reach out to you to respond to a certain bill by asking you to contact your senator or representative, please take action! It truly does make a difference. Thank you for your continued support.