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!!