THIS MONTH’S ISSUE The View From My Chair
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Garden Center Family Spotlight
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Snowmageddon Hits Garden
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Around Garden Center
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THE LEAFLET ISSUE FEB YEAR 2011
a message from our Executive director
OUR MISSION Garden Center Services’ mission is to do everything in our power to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
The View From My Chair Call me crazy, but I’m already thinking Spring! Though it’s only late February and I realize we could get a lot more winter weather, I am so ready for the warm sunshine and daffodils.
would stand to lose over $300,000. How many of our consumers would no longer be able to attend Garden Center Services, and what is the impact on them and their families?
Each year we combat these assaults on Inside the newsletter you’ll find a story our financial stability through the advocacy about “Snowmageddon 2011”, and how the of our families and the Associations our agency dealt with the recent blizzard. I just agency belongs to. Once again I am asking wanted to personally express my gratitude all of you to contact your legislators and to those employees, both managers and make them aware of how direct care staff, that traveled If the Governor’s your lives would be effected in very hazardous conditions and/or worked very long recommended 6% cut if your loved one was not at Garden Center. hours, to staff our homes in Medicaid rates was and provide support to the individuals we care for. to pass, our agency Below is contact information for Speaker Madigan and would stand to lose Sen. Steven M. Landek’s One rite of Spring that is Offices. Thank you for not so pleasant is the yearly over $300,000. sharing your story devastation inflicted on with them. persons with developmental disabilities and the agencies Speaker Michael J. Madigan that support them by the Illinois legislature. 300 Capitol Building Springfield, IL 62706 Once again we find ourselves struggling 217.782.5350 with the anxiety and anger over yet another proposed cut in the funding of our already underfunded services. Senator Steven M. Landek M113 Capitol Building Springfield, IL 62706 If the Governor’s recommended 6% cut in Medicaid rates was to pass, our agency 217.782.0054
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A 5 0 1 (c ) ( 3 ) Nonp rofit organi zation
Garden Center Family Spotlight Melissa Whitehouse joined the ranks at Garden Center’s Vocational Program this past November. She was surprised and excited to reconnect with many buddies from her high school days who are also at Garden Center. Her friends, new and old, say Melissa is “funloving”, “easy to get along with”, and “fun to be around”. Melissa lives with her family in Burbank. She loves collecting Barbie and Hello Kitty memorabilia. One of her favorite things, however, is the High School Musical movies whose posters she keeps in her room. Melissa has been busy with several projects since coming to Garden Center including her work on the Adopt a Platoon Troop Kit, in which she helps put together hygiene kits for military servicemen and women. She has also been involved in making men’s travel kits and regularly works on our Burger King account adding labels to packaging for restaurant use.
MELISSA WHITEHOUSE
Even though Melissa has only been with Garden Center for a short time, she is already an important part of our family. Welcome Melissa, we are glad you are here!
La’Shawn Jones works at Garden Center’s main building as a Direct Support Professional. She started with the agency on September 11, 2009. Prior to joining Garden Center, La’Shawn worked at a school for children with developmental disabilities and loved it. She knew the field would be her career, but the school was quite far from her home, so when she saw an ad for an opening at Garden Center she decided to “check it out”. “Once I did”, she says, “I made a whole new family!”
LA‘SHAWN JONES
La’Shawn was born and raised on Chicago’s Southwest side. She recently moved her family a little closer to Garden Center and now has a short drive to work. La’Shawn has two sons; a 21 year old with a family of his own and her 17 year-old who will be graduating high school soon. La’Shawn loves spending time with her family and is excited about her 17 year-old son’s upcoming graduation. She also loves dancing and all kinds of music. La’Shawn says her group at Garden Center keeps the music going all day which really adds to the joy in her room. The thing she loves most about her job is laughing. “We laugh all day long and talk about everything. We have a saying [in our group]. I say, I love you like a brother and they say I love you like a sister.” Well, we love you too La’Shawn. Thank you for sharing your many gifts with us.
Wishes Come True at Garden Center
In 2010, Garden Center started the “Wishlist”. Participants share one dream they have for the year and Garden Center staff do everything in their power to make those wishes come true.
Carla attends Garden Center’s Burbank Day Program and lives in one of Garden Center’s CILA shopping for a few accessories. Then she headed to a salon for hair styling. After getting her tre photo shoot. Carla was a natural behind the camera and was a pro through it all, including her m Styling, makeup and the photo shoot were complimentary, and the Picture People generously g Carla strikes a pose
Snowmageddon Hits Garden Center The February blizzard proved to be the 3rd snowiest on record with over 20 inches of snow falling in Chicago. Most businesses were closed, but Garden Center was going strong. Garden Center home managers did an excellent job of preparing for the storm ensuring homes were well-stocked with provisions. On Tuesday evening, driving was becoming so treacherous that some Garden Center staff worked together to arrange carpools to make it in for their shifts. On Wednesday, conditions were severe and most could not move their cars. For those who could drive to their worksite, there was no place to park their vehicle. Again, Garden Center staff stepped up. Berwyn Home Manager, Yvonne Krcmar, drove her 4-wheel drive to pick-up and drop-off staff. Many other staff called wanting to come in, but had no transportation. Although he couldn’t pick up everyone; from 7am until 10pm Wednesday evening, Gerry Beagles, Executive Director, drove to staff homes transporting them to and from their worksites, making his way all over the Chicagoland area from Harvey to downtown Chicago. Other staff who found a willing cab driver took cabs in to work. One dedicated staff person, Fatai Otokiti, WALKED to the Moody CILA for his shift. Another staff person, Tabatha Staff pose with their “We Plowed through for Martin, worked at her site from Tuesday night Garden Center” shirts. until Thursday morning. On Thursday, Day Program staff took the baton and supported people in the CILA homes. Staff who braved the blizzard were given a T-Shirt that says “We Plowed Through for Garden Center”. We are so proud of the excellent Garden Center staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the needs of the people they serve were met. Thank you!!!
A homes. Her wish was to be a model for the day. Carla started her big day at the mall esses just so, Carla had her make-up done and was off to the Picture People for her many wardrobe changes. The day was sponsored through a friend of a staff member. gave Carla the photos. It was a great day!
Garden Center’s NEEDS List New dishes Flat screen TV Bookshelf Entertainment center New bath towels Vacuum cleaner & attachments New gardening tools Laptop computers Craft supplies Wall art Frames for artwork Blank canvases Kitchen table & chairs X-Box & dance games Living room set Xbox Kinect Gym Memberships or passes Assistance with club dues
AROUND GARDEN CENTER Where we grow
dignity and
independence phone 708.636.0054 email info@gardencenterservices.org
Jane and Liz share a hug
web www.gardencenterservices.org
Board of Directors President
Barbara Clarke
Vice President
Scott Hardek
Secretary
Linda Stearns
Treasurer
R. Pat Ballis
Members:
Doug Combs John J. Kunkes Frances Mientus Shelly Scinto Daniel Wenzler
George and Deborah take a moment to smile for the camera
Scott poses by a sculpture outside of the Shedd Aquarium
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