THIS MONTH’S ISSUE The View From My Chair
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Garden Center Family Spotlight
02
Someone You Should Know
03
Friends of Garden Center
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THE LEAFLET ISSUE APR YEAR 2011
a message from our Executive director
The View From My Chair Given this is the April newsletter, hopefully It is the governor’s proposed rate cuts we’ll begin to have those 60 degree, sunny and the efforts necessary to combat such days that renew our own energy and our heinous actions that are taking up much awareness of the small signs of growth of my time. It was because of the phone around us. Certainly markers of progress calls and letters from advocates like you are present at the agency as we strive to throughout Illinois that the state backed improve the activities and away from implementing It has made me experiences we are able to any cuts during this fiscal offer our participants. However, if they follow keenly aware of the year. through with the 6% decrease A few examples that lay fragileness of life, and beginning July 1st, we would bare the short, green shoots lose over $300,000, and have of how imperative of our efforts are as follows: to make some very difficult choices. Therefore, do not let it is that we sense • Full time art instruction up on your contacts with the program urgency about legislators for your area. If you • Music appreciation, creating fulfilling lives need any clarification of who participation, and they are, just call the agency. lessons
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OUR MISSION Garden Center Services is committed to supporting and empowering persons with developmental disabilities through innovative and person-centered 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.
for those we serve,
”
• Hiring a full time staff Just as we’re preparing to & volunteer recruitment and ourselves. experience a season of specialist growth, we have certainly had • Additional day program our encounters with death & loss administrative staff over the recent months. A number of parent/ • An agency Weight Watcher’s program guardians, some of whom which were very for consumers & staff involved with the founding or upholding of the agency, have passed on. It has made These are just some of the enhancements me keenly aware of the fragileness of life, that are being put into place to support the Agency’s mission and our strategic planning and of how imperative it is that we sense urgency about creating fulfilling lives for process. those we serve, and ourselves. A 5 0 1 (c ) ( 3 ) N onpr ofit organi zati on
Garden Center Family Spotlight Ray Dooley lives in one of Garden Center’s homes in Berwyn. He grew up in the area and is glad to have found a home of his own near his mom and sister. Ray attends Garden Center’s Wesbrook Day Program. People who know Ray best say, “He is always smiling and joking around. He’s got a great sense of humor”. Ray keeps busy during the day working on various contract work projects and especially enjoys helping assemble hygiene kits for military servicemen and women. Ray can also always be counted on to hang decorations for whatever holiday is coming up next. He keeps busy outside of Wesbrook too. Ray enjoys taking a cruise around town, is an enthusiastic dancer, and a Toy Story aficionado.
RAY DOOLEY
Ray has a lot of friends here. When I asked one of his closest pals, Perry, what he liked most about Ray he said, “Everything!” He was quick to add, “I love him!” Well, we agree with Perry. We think you’re pretty great too, Ray!
Francis DeCastro joined Garden Center in November of 2009 as a QHSP. He is an avid bicyclist and has regularly participated in organized rides such as the famous Friends of the Parks Late R.I.D.E. since 2005. A few years ago, Francis completed his longest organized ride to date in the Apple Cider Century Ride where he rode an amazing 62 miles! Francis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who, prior to joining the Garden Center team, had been a counselor for at-risk youth for over 10 years. Growing up in the area, Francis was aware of Garden Center’s programs in the community and one day decided to stop in. He hadn’t planned on applying, but when the receptionist asked if he wanted to fill out an application he thought, “What have I got to lose?” One year and six months later, he is glad he did.
FRANCIS DECASTRO
Now, Francis is preparing to take on a new role at Garden Center, although it is a familiar one for him. Francis will be Garden Center’s new agency counselor, providing counselling services for Garden Center program participants. This will be a fantastic new support for the people we serve and we are excited to have someone with Francis’ experience to head it up. From all of us at Garden Center, Francis, we are glad you stopped in!
Second Chance Thrift Shoppe Customers Give More!
Second Chance Thrift Shoppe in Lemont is a Garden Center social enterprise run by Bo from the business help provide supplies for Garden Center’s programs. But our friends a Osco’s recent Professional Cookware for a Penny promotion, Second Chance Thrift Sho purchase the pans for Garden Center. Some customers were so excited to help they we Shoppe had amassed enough stickers to purchase over two boxes full pots and pans fo
Chrissie shows off new workout weights purchased by Second Chance Thrift Shoppe
This past month Thrift Shoppe customers were at it again and as a result of the extraord purchase new exercise equipment for Garden Center’s Wesbrook program.
Someone You Should Know
We first met Dave Rauen about two years ago when purchasing chairs from the Chicago Office Products Company where Dave has worked for over 25 years. After that initial meeting, Dave brought Garden Center a contracting job in which Garden Center consumers package monthly flyers with candy for his company. “They do a fantastic job. I don’t know if they ever make mistakes!”, Dave said when remarking on the quality of Garden Center’s contract workers. “They are so efficient and the work they do is so valuable. It is a privilege and a pleasure to be associated with them.” One of the things Dave loves most about visiting Garden Center, which he does often, is spending time with people. “Once I was talking with the staff person who was accepting my order and Tim (a GCS consumer) came up to me and gave me a hug. It was probably the nicest thing that had happened to me in a month! It just made me feel good.”
Garden Center’s NEEDS List New dishes Flat screen TV Bookshelf Entertainment center New bath towels Vacuum cleaner & attachments
On one of Dave’s visits to Garden Center, he noticed the tables in the workshop were in bad condition and that is when Dave began replacing those tables himself, one table at a time. Dave has also supported Garden Center through donations to Garden Center’s Wishlist program and even brought in Subway sandwiches for the crew in the workshop!
New gardening tools
Dave was a little hesitant to have this article in the newsletter preferring instead to give to Garden Center “without any fanfare”. He played down his role and said of the Garden Center staff. “I admire them. They have dedicated their lives to helping others. For me to pitch in a little, I am the one who gets rewarded.” Well Dave we couldn’t help just a little fanfare -
Frames for artwork
Thank you for all you do for us!
Laptop computers Craft supplies Wall art Blank canvases Kitchen table & chairs X-Box & dance games Living room set Xbox Kinect Gym Memberships or
Dave visits with Becca during a recent visit to Garden Center
THANK YOU!
onnie and Ron Nalepa, a couple of paid staff, and a host of volunteers. The proceeds at Second Chance Thrift Shoppe and their customers don’t stop there. During Jewel oppe’s loyal customers went to work saving and bringing in the stickers required to ent to the store even when they say they didn’t really need anything. Soon the Thrift or Garden Center’s homes and programs.
dinary proceeds from a Super Sale, Second Chance Thrift Shoppe was able to
passes Assistance with club dues Piano Living Room Set If you have an item to donate, please email Anne McFerron at amcferron@gardencenterservices.org
FRIENDS OF GARDEN CENTER Where we grow
dignity and
independence
$1,500-$2,000 • JAMES O’DONNELL MEMORIAL FUND $1,000 - $1,499 • ILLINOIS STATE COUNCIL
phone 708.636.0054
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email info@gardencenterservices.org
$500 - $999
web www.gardencenterservices.org
Board of Directors President
Barbara Clarke
1st Vice President
Scott Hardek
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Secretary
Shelly Scinto
Treasurer
R. Pat Ballis
Members:
John J. Kunkes Frances Mientus Linda Stearns Daniel Wenzler
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http://twitter.com/gardencentersrv
http://www.facebook.com/ gardencenterservices
LOCAL UNION 705 OAK LAWN HOG CHAPTER PPM AMERICA INC. KRAFT FOODS FOUNDATION FRIENDS OF ATHLETES FROM MARQUETTE PARK Gretchen Winter
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Charles & Leigh Schmuttenmaer Henry Lambke Dorothy Ballis
William Ramsden -
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MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK
MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK
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MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK
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Alice Myers
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MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK
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OAK LAWN HOMETOWN SCHOOL PTA
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MEMORIALS FOR JOHN KASPRYZK & MARY ANN BEAGLES MEMORIAL
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T. John Nemec
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MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK
Rick Russell -
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IN HONOR OF COLEEN O’GRADY
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MEMORIAL FOR DEAN STOVER
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MEMORIAL FOR RAMONA MATTER
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