JAN/FEB
2018
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
that I experience throughout our programs is what defines our agency. • All the families that have been the backbone of Garden Center Services for its’ 61 years of serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their support, financial-volunteerismencouragement, has kept the agency open, and moving forward.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Let this day, and this year be filled with gratefulness. When I stop, and slow down enough, and allow the loudness of the voices inside my head subside, I become keenly aware of all the good, and all the good people that daily touch my life. I refuse to allow the maliciousness and harshness that we are exposed to through continuous news broadcasts diminish my heart’s ability to see and respond to the kindness and decency that surrounds us. Following is just a short list of the small and large gifts related to Garden Center Services that I am so, so thankful for.
THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GIVING TUESDAY Page 2 OUR NEW HOME Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
• The employees of our agency that show up, day in and day out, and provide caring, meaningful assistance to the individuals we support, astonishes me. I understand that it is their employment, but the quality of the connection and natural respectful relationships
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Our agency’s leadership team that provides the oversight, backing, and encouragement to our program staff. These quality individuals certainly demonstrate the philosophy of servant leadership as they often fulfill any role at the day programs or homes as a way to bolster our employees. It is no wonder that we have recently reached the amazing milestone that over 50% of our staff have been with us for 5 years or longer!
• Our business partners, fraternal organizations, foundations, and individual donors that have responded to our requests for financial support with such generosity! •The small group of staff that manage the agency’s finances, budget process, staff recruitmentrecognition-compensation-benefits, vendor relationships, and control of our properties & transportation fleet; the astonishing job that this group does has had such a direct positive impact on our fiscal stability, the soundness of our properties, and the quality of the staff we are able to recruit and keep. • The time, energy, and resources that are committed by the Board of Directors in their unselfish dedication to guide and sustain the agency’s fulfillment of our mission! •The tireless work and focus of the fund development staff and the committee members as evidenced by the success of our events and outreach efforts! • And last, but not least, for the smiles, genuineness, laughter, and decency shared by the individuals that attend our programs!! May we all have a year marked by health, happiness, compassion, and daily moments of gratitude.
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY THANK YOU FOR MAKING GIVING TUESDAY A HUGE SUCCESS! Thank you for your support this Giving Tuesday. Many of you helped us spread the word through our social media channels by re-tweeting, liking and sharing our posts. Many others ate out at John Gino’s Pizza and Pops on Kedzie, who both donated a percentage of their day’s profits to GCS. And still more made generous donations directly to Garden Center. Because of you, Garden Center was able to acquire significant matching donations through the Twin Hearts Autism Foundation and the United Methodist Church of Mount Greenwood for a Giving Tuesday grand total of over $25,000! Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of adults with developmental disabilities!
Knights of Columbus # 14553
A special thank you to the Knights of Columbus St. Louis DeMontfort Council #14553 and everyone who supported the Tootsie Roll Drive this year!
Eating out at John Gino’s & Pops
UMCMG United Methodist Church Mt. Greenwood
on Kedzie
The date for the next Family & Friends Forum will be announced soon! Details will be sent via email, phone tree and posted to our website.
growARTS’ MICROBUSINESS & FINE ART Garden Center’s growARTS program had a great holiday season! We are already hard at work planning for our upcoming Farmer’s Market Season and several craft and pop up art shows. But don’t forget, you can still shop growART’s great products for yourself or as gifts on our website by clicking the “Shop” button on the left hand side of the page. Orders can be picked up at either day program location or most items can be shipped. www.GardenCenterServices.org
Check out our friend Jax from Colorado who is sporting our up-cycled Doggie Bow tie
Garden Center’s Newest Home - Minnick House This past September, six individuals who were living in another GCS home, moved to the new Minnick house located on a quiet, friendly street in Oak Lawn. The new, single-story home is much easier for everyone to get around. It has two large living spaces for socializing and plenty of space for a little quiet time too. The new location is closer to friends in other GCS homes, as well as closer to work, cutting down on the daily commute. Veronica, who now lives at Minnick, says, “I love my new house!” adding that she especially loves her big, comfortable new bedroom.
ADOPT-A-HOME PROGRAM UPDATE
In the last few months, Garden Center’s Adopt-a-Home teams have been hard at work making our homes more accessible, more beautiful, and even more fun! One of the most recent projects at our Keeler home, organized and implemented by Bob & Coleen Fiedler with the support of the Abide in Me Foundation; installed new floors, remodeled a utility room, and put in a beautiful new kitchen with cherry cabinets donated by Andersonville Kitchen and Bath in Chicago. Over Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Kunkes family hosted festive parties for those who were unable to spend the holiday with their families.
Just this month, Kathy & Bob Wegner are finishing up a much-needed bathroom remodel at the Austin house funded by family members of those who live in the home. The generous support of our Adopt-a-Home family is making a significant difference in the quality of life for those we support. Please consider joining our effort. There are three main ways you can help the Adopt-a-Home teams: 1. Be an Adopt-a-Home Team Leader and coordinate projects/social activities for one of our homes. 2. Join an existing Adopt-a-Home team to help with scheduled projects and/or events. 3. Donate toward a renovation project or social event. Please contact Bob or Kathy Wegner at 815.600.0855 or wegrf@yahoo.com to get started. THANK YOU!
Mark your calendar...
Community Bulletin Board
GCS Day Programs are CLOSED MONDAY January 15th Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
GCS needs HOT POTS! We are looking for Hot Pots for our homes. They offer a safe, easy alternative to fried foods that are ready quick and taste great. If you’d like to help, Hot Pots may be purchased at Kohl’s, Target, or on Amazon. Or you could send a gift card or check (made out to Garden Center Services) in care of Cindy Haworth. Thank you for helping us prepare healthy meals!
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Growing dignity 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 President
Dr. Jenny Wojcik
1st Vice President
Annmarie Caulfield
2nd Vice President
Paul Krutulis
Treasurer
George Sterba
Secretary
Florence Head
Members:
Joan Strainis Representative Fran Hurley Dave Rauen Tom Beemsterboer
OUR MISSION Garden Center Services is committed to supporting and empowering persons with developmental disabilities through innovative and personcentered services. Our commitment to the excellence of our programs is surpassed only by our devotion to the people we serve and the communities in which they live.
| Murray’s Browse and Brew | 3545 W 99th St Unit E, Evergreen Park, IL
HELP THE 2018 Fashion Show Committee & get rid of holiday mess at the same time! 1. Send your left-over bows, baskets, ribbon & tissue. 2. Keep us in mind when doing your after Christmas shopping: If you see an irresistible deal and would like to donate it for our raffle baskets, please make the purchase and we will send you a tax deductible letter. Please send donations to either Day Program, Attn: Sandi Coleman