SEP/OCT
2020
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Wear your masks!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO Page 2 DAY SERVICES REOPENING Page 3 MORE NEWS Page 4
There are 228 disability providers in the state of Illinois that are providing group home arrangements to approximately 10,000 individuals, across more than 2,100 locations. As of last week, 81 of those agencies had 492 persons who had contracted the coronavirus, with sadly 28 individuals losing their lives. I am so thankful that up until now, none of participants who live in our Community Integrated Living Arrangements or the 15 bed
Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled have caught the virus. This doesn’t mean that we won’t have a positive case at some point, but I’m very pleased by the efforts demonstrated by our staff to keep people safe over the last 5 plus months.
It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others -Dalai Lama XIV In most of our living situations we initially had staff unselfishly volunteer to move into a home for weeks on end, which greatly reduced the risk of exposure for our individuals. Staff have been diligently
following the hygiene protocols for hand washing and disinfecting, as well as respecting social distancing when necessary. Mask wearing for staff is mandatory at all of the sites and it is constantly stressed that both the mouth and nose need to be covered. We’ve had designated staff in charge of bringing food and medical provisions to the homes so that we could limit community exposure. While dealing with the stress of the pandemic the staff have also continued to provide a supportive, stimulating environment within our settings, which has been more challenging due to continued on page 4
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY WHAT IS HAPPENING AT HOME Since July 1, Direct Support Professionals who usually work in the Community Day Services program have been bringing their skills to GCS homes instead. Throughout the pandemic those in the homes were keeping pretty busy, but July marked the return of truly scheduled Day Services for them. Each week’s themed-curriculium focuses on various broad topics like Music, History, and Self-care & Gratitude with activities related to the theme in several areas such as; cooking, exercise, meditation, art, and home care. GCS staff have been creative in finding a way to incorporate many virtual experiences like an online exercise program with NFL players, a virtual vacation to Machu Picchu, and online museum tours. We’ve also enjoyed some picnics, taken a few drives to the lakefront and quite a few walks! At this time, those who live in Garden Center homes will continue to learn at home so that those who live with family can return to the State Road program as safely as possible.
TENDING OUR GARDEN
COVID-Relief Funds used to make our State Road Building more safe for a return to Day Services We are grateful for the donations many of you made to Garden Center’s COVIDRelief fundraiser. Some of those funds coupled with other federal assistance we applied for, have made it possible for us to prepare our physical spaces for the safest possible return to Community Day Services at our State Road building.
The building was divided into three self-contained areas for increased safety
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Bryan and Alan in our Maintenance Department have been hard at work to prepare the State Road building. It has been challenging as many schools, offices, and other facilities are also returning to work, and as a result, are competing for supplies to do so safely. We have been fortunate to secure many items that will help us protect those we serve and our staff.
We installed eight ultraviolet light sterilizers in the State Road building’s ventilation system. The building space itself has been divided into three areas, each with it’s own separate entrance. Those that attend will have access to their group’s area only. Each area now has it’s own free-standing, touch-less, hand-sanitizing station, and bathroom facilities with touch-less soap and hand-towel dispensers, as well as touch-less sink faucets. In addition, each room will have free-standing, 4-stage air purifiers. GCS has also purchased three electrostatic sprayers which add a positive charge to sprayed disinfectant enabling it to adhere to surfaces for more effective disinfection. We will continue to monitor developments and recommendations of the CDC and other officials and will make changes to our spaces and procedures as warranted.
COMMUNITY DAY SERVICES REOPENING After six long months, we are excited our Community Day Services program will reopen at the Burbank location on Sept. 14th. Our staff have been working hard to get the space ready to welcome back over forty Garden Center program participants. In addition to the building renovations and safety-related additions mentioned in the Tending Our Garden article, our staff have also been busy preparing in many other ways. GCS staff completed individual risk assessments with each person who lives in their family home. The COVID-related risk assessment was designed by the Illinois Department of Human Services to help determine who could safely be served in a Community Day Service program. Using the assessments as a guide in collaboration with families, almost thirty individuals, and those at the Burbank ICF, plan to return to Community Day Services at the State Road building. Individuals who live in Garden Center CILA homes will continue to receive day training services at home for the time being. GCS Leadership Staff also created a COVID Preparedness Plan that addresses various issues of our new reality including; how we will communicate with families, visitor policies, technology that will be used to help deliver services, COVID-specific training for staff and those we serve, social distancing, new sanitation procedures, screening of people as they come into the building, what to do if someone shows symptoms, what to do if someone travels out of state, virtual planning meetings, mental health support, transportation, as well as numerous other issues that must be considered. Individuals who live with their families and are not returning at this time will continue to receive the same weekly curriculum packet used in Community Day Services and in Garden Center homes. Even if we can’t physically be together, it is comforting to know we are all doing some of the very same things. This certainly isn’t the way we want it to be, but we are hopeful and look forward to the time when more people can come back to Garden Center’s community day service program again.
We would love to see what you are up to at home! Share your photos or just a message on our social media channels or to our info@gardencenterservices.org email. Can’t wait to see your smiling face!
Mark your calendar...
As you know, GCS will not be holding our annual fall Gala this year. With our biggest fundraiser of the year postponed, and our annual walk canceled, we hope you will consider, if you are able, to give to our GivingTuesday fundraiser. We are working now to find a corporate match so that your donation can make the biggest possible impact.
DECEMBER 1
GivingTuesday is December 1st, 2020.
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Growing dignity and independence
MORE NEWS Direct Support Professional Appreciation Week is September 13 -19 As we head toward DSP Appreciation Week during this incredibly challenging time, the importance of the work our DSPs do every day has become even more clear to our wider community. And although we set-aside DSP week every year to recognize this dedicated group of professionals, 2020 feels different.
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 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 Cindy Malloy
OUR MISSION Advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them.
DSP Week 2019
It will, of course, look different. We will not be able to hold our big breakfasts or have everyone hovering around the raffle drawing to cheer for the winner. We will, however, still do our best to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of these essential workers through gifts, raffles, videos, and messages from you.
Help us recognize our Direct Support Professionals with a message of gratitude. Mail your message to: DSP Week 10444 S Kedzie Ave. Chicago, IL 60655, email to info@GardenCenterServices.org OR post to one of our social media pages so we can share your support with our staff. You can send cards, pictures, videos... whatever you like. It means a great deal, especially now.
Another way you can support our DSPs
National DSP Appreciation Week is great, but it can’t replace the living wage that these staff deserve. Garden Center Services is a member of They Deserve More, a statewide coalition of agencies and supporters who are working to increase wages of DSPs in Illinois. As opportunities to advocate for funding to support an increase in the wages of DSPs come up, we ask that you join us. The emails we forward from They Deserve More, and our other advocacy partners, make it easy for you to participate. Just follow the link, add your address and a prepared message will be sent to your legislators automatically. These messages make a huge difference. When we inundate our legislators’ offices with these messages of support, they can’t ignore us.
THANK YOU
We are grateful to all of you who have helped make our days easier with your generous donations.
Donations of the following are still needed and greatly appreciated: • 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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the extensive length of the quarantine. We are looking forward to when the individuals residing in our homes can return to the day program locations, but that will not happen for some time. Once a year, Direct Support Staff are recognized across the country through National Direct Support Professional Appreciation week. This year, September 13th through 19th, Garden Center will join agencies across the U.S. in celebrating and honoring these vital staff who make such a positive difference in the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year, more than ever, we really want to demonstrate how proud of and thankful for we are of these dedicated employees. There is information inside the Leaflet which will tell you how you can join us in this effort. Thank you for your ongoing support. Please be safe and healthy,