THIS MONTH’S ISSUE The View From My Chair
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Garden Center Family Spotlight
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Volunteers Make GCS Bloom
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Around GCS
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THE LEAFLET ISSUE AUG YEAR 2011
a message from our Executive director
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.
The View From My Chair On the evening of July 28th, the Board of Directors, key administrative staff, and myself, met to review the agency’s strategic plan, and assess the progress we made on previously established goals. I can’t tell you how refreshing and heartening it was to spend time positively focused on the advancement of the agency instead of wallowing in the worry of our state funding. I’d like to share with you some of the priorities that we have chosen to act on. Business Development: We are working toward having Garden Center become less dependent on state funding. We are enhancing our fundraising efforts through the use of social media outlets (website, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter), a planned giving campaign, and our grant writing efforts. Business opportunities such as the Garden Gallery & Studio, and a GCS Printing & Shredding enterprise should help to create income as well as provide meaningful employment for some of our consumers. Another component of this category is family participation which will be discussed in meetings with each family. Facilities Management: Systems are being developed and put into place that provides ongoing assessment of the day
program sites, the residential homes, and our vehicles. Additionally, we are looking at utilities usage and phone/internet programs. Operating Model: Who we employ at the agency has the largest impact on how well we support each individual that attends our programs. We are continually looking at ways to improve how we attract, train, and retain the best employees possible. Diversified Programs: In our desire to offer the consumers an ever-growing array of interesting and fun program offerings, we are exploring new curriculum areas and service models. Over the past year we have added art, music, and cooking programs. Public Relations: We are working on the agency’s connection to local newspaper, radio, and television outlets. We have created a video which can be viewed on our website and will create a shortened version to share with prospective donors. This are just highlights from the wideranging work of the strategic planning group. I will keep you apprised of our progress in upcoming newsletters.
A 5 0 1 (c ) ( 3 ) Nonp rofit organi zation
Garden Center Family Spotlight Jeff has been a part of the Garden Center family for 55 years! Jeff’s parents, Dorothy and Steve Cyga, were members of the parent group that founded Garden Center School when it opened in 1956. As Jeff grew, Garden Center grew with him and now Jeff lives in Garden Center’s Moody House and works at the Wesbrook program. Jeff is a man with a million interests. He loves sports and cheers for both the Cubs and the White Sox, as well as the Bears and Blackhawks. He is a die hard fan of the Food Network, Animal Planet and always stays up-to-date with current events in the news. Jeff has a great interest in the planets and space exploration and is especially excited about the upcoming launch of the new Mars rover, Curiosity, later this year. Of all his interests however, his biggest passion is to create. Jeff’s current project is building and decorating beautiful model churches that he plans to sell in Garden Center’s Christmas Bazaar this December.
JEFF CYGA
We admire your creative spirit Jeff!
Sheila joined Garden Center this past April where she heads up Day Programming at our Wesbrook location. She has worked in the field over 40 years and was thinking about retirement when Gerry Beagles, Garden Center’s Executive Director, asked if she might consider joining our team. Sheila had met several Garden Center staff during a recent collaboration so she knew she was making the right decision when she said “Yes!”. Sheila says what she loves most about Garden Center is “the friendliness and down to earth feeling” at the agency. Before Chicago, Sheila lived in New York, Connecticut, Virginia, and St. Louis. All that moving fostered her love of travel. Sheila and her husband try to take a trip every year. This fall they will be taking a tour of Croatia, Macedonia, and Albania.
SHEILA RYAN-HENRY
We are glad you are here Sheila and wish you safe travels this fall!!!
Garden Center Goes Formal Last month Garden Center program participants and staff got gussied up for our annual formal dance. It was a wonderful night that everyone is still talking about! We would like to offer a special thank you to John Gordon the manager at Walgreens at 6016 W. 63rd in Chicago, who donated drinks for the event. We would also like to thank his staff person, Cecilia Hernandez, who took photos and is providing film development of the photos at a reduced cost. A big thanks also to the many Garden Center parents and staff who assisted with clothing, set up, decorating, make-up, hair, and food which made the event such a huge success!
Garden Center ladies pose for the camera at the GCS Formal
Volunteers Make Garden Center Bloom Last month, volunteers from McDonald’s Corporate office and their children came to Garden Center and braved the heat to landscape the Laurel and Austin homes. The group pulled weeds, trimmed plants, and put down mulch to beautify the two yards. McDonald’s Corporate volunteers
Garden Center’s NEEDS List Pool table
Large flower pots Picnic tables Zoo passes
Event tickets New dishes
Flat screen TV Bookshelf
Vacuum & attachments
The volunteers were originally scheduled to do a yard clean up, but as Garden Center staff discussed plans for the homes, the volunteers began offering suggestions and before we knew it we were in the midst of a complete yard renovation! The volunteers worked so fast that by mid-day they had run out of mulch. The group was determined to complete their mission and Garden Center staff went on a mulch run to keep the job on track.
New gardening tools Laptop computers Craft supplies Wall art
Frames for artwork Blank canvases
X-Box & dance games Living room set Xbox Kinect
Now the yards at both homes look beautiful. We are grateful to the determined McDonald’s volunteers who spent their day with us.
Gym dues/passes Club dues
Living room set
Thank You!!! Chrissy and Kelly Jo show their appreciation to the McDonald’s Volunteers
If you have an item to donate, please email Anne McFerron at amcferron@gardencenterservices.org
GCS BULLETIN BOARD Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive Date: Friday Sept. 16 and Saturday Sept. 17 Time: 6am-6pm Details: We need as many volunteers as possible to help collect donations at various checkpoints in the Burbank area- we receive our share of donations based on how many volunteers we have so tell you family, friends, neighbors to come out for a couple hours! Contact Michele Hula if interested in volunteering, or for more details (708) 398-6506.
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AROUND GCS Where we grow
dignity and
independence phone 708.636.0054 email info@gardencenterservices.org web www.gardencenterservices.org
Board of Directors President
Barbara Clarke
1st Vice President
Scott Hardek
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Treasurer
R. Pat Ballis
Members:
John J. Kunkes
Jane at the Micky Dolenz concert
Tim walks a horse at Hutchfield Farm
Frances Mientus Linda Stearns Daniel Wenzler
Genel poses for the camera
Shari & Jennifer visit the aquarium
Impo rt ant Date s! Se ptem be r 16th & Knigh ts of Columbu
17th
s Too tsie Roll Dr ive
DETAIL S INSIDE THIS ISSUE! Chris & Donna show off their moves at the Rock and Roll Party
Steven’s Wish comes true. He saw Sugar Ray LIVE!
Sue & Connie strike a pose at the Garden Center Formal
Tim & Lisa smile for the camera
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