APRIL
2016
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tina & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GCS WORKS! FOR YOU Page 2 NEW VEHICLE Page 3 FRIENDS OF GCS Page 4
We are at a time in our country and in our state when we are exposed to so much animosity, divisiveness, finger pointing, and aggressiveness. The inability to respect one another, to at least hear another’s perspective, or to openly express one’s mistakes, are some of the reasons that we are nightly distressed by the election coverage, and these also have contributed to why the great state of Illinois is still without a budget nine months into the fiscal year!
Regarding supports and services to the incredible persons that attend our programs, I communicate directly and also through the professional associations that the agency belongs to, about the tremendous need for the services we provide, and the catastrophic effects on the individuals we serve and their families if our programs were not able to continue. But the stalemate in our legislative process makes me more and more aware of the truth that one can only control those areas that one has responsibility over. This reinforces to me that my focus, our focus, will continue to be the safe haven of compassionate care and self- development for a community comprised of individuals, families,
friends, employees, neighborhood businesses, fraternal organizations, worship centers, and local politicians, named Garden Center Services. After 44 years of being in this helping profession I am confident the path to real peace and joy comes from understanding that we are all truly connected, that what hurts you; hurts me, that what heals you; heals me, and this experience then leads us to fret less about our selves and to take up actions that will relieve the sufferings of others and/or bring them moments of loving kindness. This is the kind of place I want us all to hang out at! A place where we grow dignity and independence for all!!
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY FOR YOU
kets tional pac a m r o f in aking Steven m
Garden Center supports the individuals we serve to reach their employment goals in several ways. We offer on-the-job training and support through our new community-based Employment Program and help individuals recognize and expand on their strengths to develop and embark on entrepreneurial opportunities through the micro-business component of our day programs.
Since long before these opportunities existed, however, Garden Center has supported people through a contract work program, now known as GCS Works! Participants in the GCS Works! group provide finishing services like putting together Donna a ss sample bags for Chicago Office Products, assembling hardware kits componen embling ceiling in ts for C s hicago M tallation for Chicago Metallic Corporation and visiting CSA Fraternal Insurance etallic C orp. twice a month to fold and stuff mailings. GCS Works! employees take great pride in their high-quality work as well as in earning a regular paycheck. Donna sums it up best, “I just love working! I like to get a whole, full [pay]check.” GCS WORKS! currently has openings for more work. If you know of a business with finishing service needs, please contact Jacqueline Opyt at 708-398-6538 or jopyt@gardencenterservices.org.
x2
BOB HALL MEMORIAL MATCHING GRANT STARTS APRIL 1st Bob Hall’s family has chosen to celebrate his birthday month by offering Garden Center an amazing opportunity. The Hall family has pledged to match every donation given to Garden Center through the month of April, up to $5,000! Donate by mail, online or in person and help us reach our goal of $5,000 in donations and GCS will receive a total of $10,000!!!
G C S
B U S I N E S S
C O R N E R
GCS’s Micro-Business featured product for April is: Word Wall Plaques perfect for Mother’s Day!
ONLY $13 for large and $10 for small
Visit our website for a larger selection Order online GardenCenterServices.org/shop.html or at the Kedzie or State buildings 10444 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank
2
Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
Word Wall Plaque
GCS ADDS A MUCH NEEDED VEHICLE TO ITS FLEET On February 24th, Garden Center Services received a 12-passenger paratransit vehicle through the Illinois Department of Transportation’s grant program. The new vehicle has four secured locations for wheelchairs, providing greater freedom for our participants who use wheelchairs. This new vehicle is a welcome addition to our strained and aging fleet. Every day, Garden Center Services is responsible for the transportation needs of approximately 90 residential participants. Additionally, Garden Center purchases vouchers for our day programming participants who use n Pace Suburban Bus service. pi s e bus for a Karen takes th We will continue to explore funding opportunities to supplement our sizable transportation budget, so we can continue to provide safe and efficient transportation for our consumers.
Lots of room!
CHICAGO SOUTH SIDE IRISH PARADE
Saturday, June 4th
A big thank you to everyone that braved the rain and joined us to march in the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday, March 13, 2016.
Newcastle Park
Garden Center Services was eager to participate in the parade to demonstrate to our neighbors and community leaders that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live, work and play in their community. Slainte!
Mark your calendar...
5k Registration at SuperSunny5k.com
SECOND CHANCE SUPER SALE
50%
OFF EVERY THING STOREWIDE!
Community Bulletin Board
SUNDAY April 17th 12pm to 4pm
GCS’s State Program Needs Five DigiLand 7in Tablets These tablets are used at our program for training and augmented communication. Amazon list price is $45ea.
APRIL is
Autism Awareness Month
in Burbank
If you would like to purchase one or more for the folks at State, please contact
s ran Mientu et for F u o y k n a Th patio s for sing a new for purcha BMA! We can’t wait g! t in everyone aive - already celebrat r r it to a
Cindy Haworth 773-941-4151 Ext. 213
chaworth@gardencenterservices.org
3
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:
Caroline Connors Joan Strainis Representative Fran Hurley Dave Rauen Tom Beemesterboer
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.
FRIENDS OF GARDEN CENTER DECEMBER 2015 - FEBRUARY 2016
$5,000 - $1,000 • • • •
Myrtis Winter Mary Schmuttenmaer Connie Bednarczyk Jenny Wojcik
$999- $500 • • • • •
SECOND CHANCE SHOPPERS John J. Kunkes III* Rita Jurkiewicz Jack Coyle NIDERA US, LLC
$100 - $499 • •
Barbara Cesario Peter & Sheila Hebein
• • • • •
Ralph Storino Roger & Adele Guthrie John Nemec Joseph Krickl Charles Newbold
• • • • • • • •
Cianain & Johanna Rickard Janice Cegielski KIWANIS CLUB OF SOUTHWEST CHICAGO FOUNDATION Mary P. Malloy TRILLIUM FARM HOLDINGS, LLC Charles Schmuttenmaer CNM GROUP, INC. Paul Liu
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Sue Cairo Bob & Donna Willoughby BUSINESS REFERRAL NETWORK 2.0 NFP Deborah Conway Elsa Heinemann Dennis & Deborah Conway Ann McGrath-Harty EXELON 49ers SPORTSMENS CLUB SAC Anne Zick Annette Petraitis ANNONYMOUS Beatrice Ramirez CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER MARKETING COYLE & HERR* Cynthia Kuzma
• • • • •
Ed Mercier Frances Mientus Harold Reed Jane Rodgers John & Mary Cooney
• • • • • • •
June Quirk Margaret Horny Mary Beth Herr Raymond Sierakowski Stanley Komperda Thomas & Patricia Zientek William & Susan Grebenc
MEMORIAL FOR TIM NEMEC
IN HONOR OF JONATHAN ANDERSEN
MEMORIAL FOR PATRICIA COYLE
IN HONOR OF ANNABELLE WINTER
IN HONOR OF JAMES COONEY
MEMORIAL FOR PATRICIA COYLE
Up to $99 •
Dimitra Loukissa
• • •
Brian Rotroff* Brian & Elizabeth Wojak* CLOROX CO FOUNDATION GIVING CAMP
MEMORIAL FOR CAROL GIERLOFF
• • • • •
Laura Sparks Sherry L. Vankuren Jose Medina Jo Lapp R.F. Canavan
• • •
Catherine Moeller Cynthia Malloy David & Linda Sullivan
•
MEMORIAL FOR CAROLE GIERLOFF
IN HONOR OF VERONICA HEIN
• •
Dorothy Ormond George Sterba Jr.*
• • • • •
Janine George Jerome Selke Joanie Hartlaub Joyce Diver Madonna Ames
• •
Maribeth O’Shea Mark Alford
• • • •
Mary Smith Monica Ferrick Nancy Jo Cornfield Nancy Suski
• • • • • • • • • • •
Norine Plagens Patricia Meinke Peggy Harrison RUBACH FAMILY TRUST STATELINE GRAIN AND FEED, LLC Joan Fox Molly Hansberry Rebecca Burrow Tamara Nicholson* Mary Alexander Mary Lauinger
•
Sandra Szelag
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ABIDE IN ME Bernadette Burrow Dorothy Cook Eileen Gainer Judith Brinkman Karen Deeman-Hurley Linda Stearns Marjorie Manley Mary Jo Lorenz Michael Galvin Patricia King Robert Devens Robert Hilliard Benjamin Roscrow Carol Nelms Jim & Anne Gainer Joan Knight Kathleen Walsh Morris AMAZON SMILE Christian Mayer
• • • • •
John Owens Ronald Kulak Grace Fellger Janet Pawlicki Ron Nowobielski
• • •
Veronica Ferrick Latoya Decquir U/W METRO CHICAGO_D
IN HONOR OF RICHIE P.
MEMORIAL FOR PATRICIA J. COYLE
MEMORIAL FOR DENNIS KARNSTEDT
IN HONOR OF JO AND TINA LAPP
MEMORIAL FOR BUNNY BURROW
IN HONOR OF ANNABELLE WINTERS
MEMORIAL FOR PATRICIA COYLE
MEMORIAL FOR RONALD NOWOBIELSKI, SR.
* Indicates member of GCS’ monthly giving club, The Giving Tree.