AUGUST
2013
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Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gerry & the Tims
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GCS FAMILY SPOTLIGHT Page 2 HOUSE INTO A HOME Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
Well, it’s a new fiscal year and to nobody’s surprise agencies that support persons with developmental disabilities were not given any type of cost of doing business increase. Instead of experiencing a sense of relief that our rates were not cut, I find myself feeling disheartened and frustrated that yet again the state of Illinois has put the burden of covering all the growing expenses of doing what we do on the providers. It’s no wonder that the majority of my time, like most of my peer executive directors, is now
spent identifying additional revenue sources through the support of donors, corporate sponsors, foundation grants, and the micro-businesses that we’ve established. As we continue to strive to provide quality services for each individual that attends our programs, the assistance and advocacy offered by everyone that receives this newsletter becomes more and more important. “As we continue to strive to provide quality services for each individual that attends our programs, the assistance and advocacy offered by everyone that receives this newsletter becomes more and more important.
Due to the complexities and busyness of daily life now, each of us has numerous contacts with other people, businesses, or organizations. If you think any of your contacts are possible sources of financial support for our agency, either through donations or by using one of our businesses, please do
not hesitate to share their information with me. Every day there are wonderful experiences and memories coming to life at Garden Center Services, and I truly enjoy sharing these stories with anybody wanting to listen. And as people become aware of the joy and pride our clients feel as they are able to have more success with creating their own lives, they want to actively participate in making these dreams come true. Any opportunities you can provide me to tell our tale could go a long way to acquiring the financial subsidy we need. Obviously, Garden Center would not have survived without the outpouring of support that we have received through the years. Let me close by offering my heartfelt gratitude to all of you that have been there for our clients through the donations of your time, energy, and money. May you be blessed in many ways for your kindness and compassion.
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY SPOTLIGHT George has attended Garden Center’s Burbank day program for 13 years. He has a great sense of humor and most times you will find him laughing and joking around with his friends. Despite his jovial nature, George is not a guy who likes to just sit around. If he is not working, then he is getting ready to work or he is passing out materials to help his coworkers get to work. George likes to do pretty much any job available, but says his favorite right now is a new job stringing beads to be used at a local bead shop. George does take some time for a few other things. He loves music, is a huge fan of everything Michael Jackson, and is a great dancer. Whenever there is a party, George is the first on the dance floor and the last to leave. He takes music lessons once a week with Stephanie, Garden Center’s music instructor, and is learning to play some of his favorite songs on the keyboard. George also shows his creative side through his artwork. He attends Garden Gallery & Studio every Thursday where he paints and creates artwork to sell. In addition to having works on display in the gallery, George’s art was featured in the 2011 Garden Gallery calendar and some of his pieces have been on display in several Starbucks coffee shops throughout the area.
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Georg
No story about George would be complete without talking about his family. George has a big family and they are very close. His excellent work ethic carries on to his home life as well. He lives with his parents and says he enjoys helping out around the house with folding laundry, working in the kitchen and anything else that needs to be done. We are glad to have such a hard-working, fun-loving guy like George in our Garden Center Family!
George’s painting, ACDC, was featured in the 2011 Garden Gallery Callendar
CLEAN YOUR ATTIC & HELP GARDEN CENTER! Donate your gently used clothing, jewelry, electronics, toys, housewares, furniture and more to Second Chance Thrift Shoppe. We’ll find good homes for your old treasures and earn cash for Garden Center at the same time! Donations are accepted Monday through Saturday from 10:00am-3:30pm or until 6:30pm on Thursday. The store is located at 44 Stephen Street in Lemont.
G C S
B U S I N E S S
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DID YOU KNOW? Garden Gallery Artisans are busy creating exciting new products for you to love! In addition to their amazing artwork, jewelry, calendars, cards and prints our artists are hard at work creating beautiful hand-painted silk scarves and unique hand-woven decorated canvas tote bags. Keep them in mind for yourself or to give as gifts. Don’t forget to follow the Gallery’s facebook page for the latest on what we are up to! Beautiful, sturdy canvas totes
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Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
Hand-painted silk scarves make a great gift!
needs list • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Computers Vacuum sweepers Books Event tickets Puzzles Games Art/Craft supplies Art frames Blank canvases CDs & players VHS/DVD players Exercise videos & equipment Music instruments Digital cameras X-Box and Wii games G a r d e n i n g supplies Storage bins Storage cabinets Electric Stove
If you have something to donate, please contact Anne McFerron at amcferron@GardenCenterServices.org
Help us Turn a House into a Home On Sunday, August 18th from 1pm to 4pm, our friends at Abide In Me are hosting a housewarming for the women moving into Garden Center’s new home located at 10730 S. Keeler in Oak Lawn. Drop by, enjoy some light refreshments, see the progress thus far and wish the ladies well. They are so excited about moving in!
RSVP to Sharon Duncan by email at SDuncan.aime@gmail.com or by phone at 630.253.9727. Volunteers hard at work getting the home ready
The women are registered at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond under “Celebrate Me Home”.
Garden Gallery & Studio’s One Year Anniversary Event On July 11th, Garden Gallery & Studio celebrated our one-year anniversary in Tinley Park! In the days leading up to the event, Garden Gallery artists and staff from Whole Foods Market worked together to build a giant “CanStruction” sculpture of a castle complete with dragon. The structure was made of canned goods donated by Whole Foods Market. Following the event, the canned food was donated to Together We Cope, a food pantry and social service agency in Tinley Park. In addition to checking out the amazing sculpture, visitors also enjoyed live music of local harpist, Nichole Luchs, and amazing food catered by Whole Foods Market. Top Artist Awards were given to Danielle, Nicholas, Veronica, Sophie, and Paul for their excellent work over the past year.
Beautiful harp music by Nichole Luchs
e made by Gallery CanStruction Sculptur Foods staff ole Wh Artists and
Mark your calendar...
Sophie poses with h er awa rd
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SUPER SALE
Sunday, August 18th 12pm to 4pm at Second Chance Thrift Shoppe - 44 Stephen Street, Lemont
HOUSE WARMING PARTY
Sunday, August 18th 1pm to 4pm at 10730 S. Keeler, Oak Lawn RSVP to Sharon Duncan at SDuncan.aime@gmail.com or 630.253.9727
GCS MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Thursday, August 22nd 7pm at Garden Center Gym 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank Membership Meetings will now be held on Thursdays
NEW
FIRST FRIDAY AT THE GALLERY
Friday, September 6th 7pm to 9pm at Garden Gallery - 17459 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park
57th ANNUAL FASHION SHOW & LUNCHEON Sunday, November 10th 12pm to 4pm Doubletree Hotel 5000 W 127th St., Alsip
Fashions provided by Second Chance Thrift Shoppe, modeled by GCS consumers, staff and families.We’ll have a silent auction, raffles, awards, lunch & more!
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Growing dignity and independence 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL 60459 phone 708.636.0054 email info@gardencenterservices.org web www.gardencenterservices.org
Board of Directors President
Daniel Wenzler
1st Vice President
Jenny Wojcik
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Treasurer
R. Pat Ballis
Secretary
Annmarie Caulfield
Members:
Sharon Duncan
DeJuan & C hrissy at th e zoo
Kathy, Mary and Melissa enjoy a shopping break at Target
’ his Tim is rockinyle summer st
Scott Hardek John J. Kunkes Sean O’Shea Linda Sherwood
arla pose Bonnie & eCcamera for th 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.
Who doesn’t love Free Slu rpee Day?
Remember to use iGive for your Everyday Shopping!
Gallery artists pose with GCS staff, Melanie Duffy, winner of the Bettenhausen Fiat Car Wrap Contest
visit www.iGive.com/GardenCenter to learn how you can help Garden Center when you shop online.