GCS Newsletter THE LEAFLET Issue MAR/APR 2018

MAR/APR

2018

Garden Center Services

The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

developmental disabilities. I am feeling especially focused this morning as I think about meeting with this group due to the fact that March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!

WGN’s Ana Belaval & Gerry talk GCS at Murray’s Browse & Brew

INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 CHICAGO WOLVES Page 2 2018 SUPER SUNNY WALK Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4

A little later this morning I will be spending about an hour in training with a new group of Direct support professionals that have been hired by our agency. The state requires new employees to go through 40 hours of mandated training that covers a variety of topics identified in a curriculum developed by the Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Within this week of training I have carved out some time to discuss the history, mission, and current vision of our agency. The most important subject matter that I am most intent in discussing with the group of new staff is the agency’s philosophy, values, and approach to working with and advocating for individuals with intellectual and/or

M A R C H i s Developmental Disabilities Aw a r e n e s s M o n t h As I share experiences and insights I have gained over my forty-six years of working in this field, inevitably the discussion turns towards the strides made by various groups over this period of time. There have been advances in the women’s movement, though not enough; strides regarding civil rights regarding persons of color, but it is obvious, especially being in Chicago, that so much bias and intolerance remain; and what about the rights of the individuals that we support to have full lives of connection and contribution! I openly admit that I attempt to recruit

these new staff to join the Garden Center Services’ crusade and see themselves as activist working side by side with the individuals we serve to gain the lives they want. It can be so inspiring to realize that each one of us can be a change agent in the life of a person with developmental disabilities, and in the lives of a whole group of marginalized and slighted individuals!

Over the four plus decades I have been working with persons with disabilities, I have experienced such an amazing expanse of goodness, decency, and insights regarding real happiness. As I hope this has been your experience as well, please continue to stand with us and support the persons that attend our programs, and our dedicated staff, so that collectively we can advance the quality of life for all persons with intellectual and/ or developmental disabilities.

My sincerest gratitude.

GARDEN CENTER FAMILY CHICAGO WOLVES VS. TEXAS STARS FUNDRAISER CHICAGO WOLVES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION NIGHT Chicago Wolves vs. Texas Stars Saturday, March 31st, 7pm Allstate Arena Tickets are $20 Hot Dog & Soda Vouchers may be purchased for $6 Garden Center will receive 50% of your ticket price!

To get your tickets, just fill out the form included in this printed newsletter. If you are reading this online, visit our webpage and click on the link for “Chicago Wolves Game” toward the middle of our home page on the lefthand side to print your form.

Thanks to those of you who supported our Pledge Drive at the 2017 GCS Fashion Show, people we serve are indeed Going Places!

Lisa & Joshua at the Chicago Auto Show

So often it is the Sue & small moments, Linda grab a going out for coffee coffe e with a friend, seeing a show, treating yourself to an ice cream..., that brings true joy to our lives. It is because of you that we are able to bring that joy to the lives of those we support. Thank you.

growARTS’ MICROBUSINESS & FINE ART growARTS’ Pop-Up Fine Art Sale Tuesday, MAR 20th 3pm to 8pm R29 Bar @ the Franklin 227 W. Monroe St. in Chicago

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Did you know that May 9th is Lost Sock Memorial Day? Why not take a moment to show your loved ones you are thinking about them and their uncovered foot with a lovely pick-me-up gift from Garden Center’s growARTS program.

Shop growART’s hand-made products 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

Our hand-made, soy candles make the perfect Lost Sock Memorial Day gift for your loved ones

2018 SUPER SUNNY WALK ‘N ROLL SAVE THE DATE 2018 Super Sunny Walk N’ Roll-a-Thon June 2, 2018, 10 a.m.

Newcastle Park 8050 S. Newcastle, Burbank, IL This year’s walk has a NEW LOOK that you are going to LOVE! Each $25 Walk Participant Registered by 5/10/18 will receive…

• • • •

A 2018 Super Sunny Walk ‘n Roll event T-Shirt & an event draw string bag on June 2, 2018 Great food at our traditional post-walk picnic Entry to our NEW and IMPROVED after walk event with old fashioned family games & activities Opportunities to join in NEW optional games like the “Dunk Our Exec” Tank, as well as other games/races

Watch for your family’s packet this month to see our AMAZING NEW incentive prizes!

Any Questions? Call or email Sandi @ 773/941-4151 ext. 202 or scoleman@gardencenterservices.org

SAVE THE DATE!

SAVE A TREE ...AND GCS MONEY

JULY

2014

When you sign up to receive THE LEAFLET online We need your help to cut postage costs! If you would like to continue to receive the GCS newsletter, please contact Sandi at scoleman@ gardencenterservices.org to receive your next issue via eMail.

THANK YOU!

Mark your calendar...

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Garden Center Services

HE LEAFLET

The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

by the referral agencies that require the person to take a number of assessments. The purpose of these assessments is to pinpoint those deficits in cognitive, physical, and lifeskill development that will

Nicole & Gerry

INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Page 2 GCS WALKS, ROLLS & RUNS Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4

Looking forward to this coming weekend and all the 4th of July celebrations leads me to think about the term “independence” and the struggles we’ve all gone through, as individuals and as a country, to become the people we want to be, spending our precious lives doing what we want to do. I would say the overarching goal we have as an agency that provides services and supports to adults with intellectual and physical disabilities is getting to know each person well enough so that we can accurately identify what their hopes and aspirations are and then doing whatever we can to assist them in realizing this potential.

Before individuals are “awarded” state funding so that they can attend our programs, they must be screened

“It is only by spending quality time with an individual, deeply listening to them, observing them, that one comes to grasp their aptitude and ambitions. ”

verify they meet the criteria of having a developmental disability. It seems to be such a “what’s broken” way of looking at human beings, and does not give proper emphasis to the unique presence and contribution that each person possesses. It is only by spending quality time with an individual, deeply listening to them, observing them, that one comes to grasp their aptitude and ambitions.

In both our day and residential programs we are continually working to improve the experiences and exposure our consumers receive driven by the approach described above.

We so appreciate the input provided by the families about their loved ones, and also the insights contributed by our caring staff that spends so much of their day engaged with our consumers. As an agency, as we become more aware and sensitive to the hopes and possibilities that are within each person we support, we must strive to make those changes necessary that will give them better access to full lives of participation.

As much as I wanted to mention independence in this article, I also wanted to stress the need and benefit of “interdependence”. It’s truly only through the acceptance and support of one another that we can really become our best selves. I often think that one of the greatest gifts bestowed on us by the persons we support at Garden Center Services is their innate understanding of this principle, and the enviable way they open themselves to receiving and providing kindness.

Enjoy the newsletter, and have a great summer.

Community Bulletin Board

As the weather starts to warm up, we are looking for outdoor games like croquet, ladder ball, bag toss and others, to use at the homes and day programs.

2018 GCS Walk ‘n ROLL SATURDAY June 2nd

Do you have any outdoor games you no longer use?

If you have a game you’d like to donate, please contact Cindy Haworth at chaworth@ gardencenterservices.org or by phone at 773-941-4151 Ext 213. t mes are a grea ing tt Outdoor gafu ge n while way to have e exercise som

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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

Shari tries out a wooden percussion instrument in music group

ith Tim visits w p u p e t A cu

Ashley & Cindy goofing around

Representative Fran Hurley Dave Rauen Tom Beemsterboer

Steve & Joy Hall stopped by with their boys for a visit and made a generous donation to the agency. Thank You!

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.

BE A GCS EVENT VOLUNTEER!

Have fun & help GCS!

If you have not had the opportunity to volunteer at one of our fun events; please consider helping now. We need volunteers for both June’s Super Sunny Walk ‘n Roll & our Annual Gala/Fashion Show in November. Volunteers are needed before and during events. Some of the tasks can even be done from your home!

For more info: Call Sandi at 773/941-4151 ex. 202 or email at scoleman@gardencenterservices.org