AUGUST
2014
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Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Keeler CILA
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Page 2 NEW PROGRAM OFFERINGS Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
I remember the evening of June 30th, around 9:30 p.m., Cindy and I carted out the last loads of refuse to be disposed of and closed the door for the final time to the 16-bed Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled located in Berwyn that the agency administered for 4 years. Garden Center Services had been asked to take over the management of the facility in order to improve the quality of care for the individuals that resided there, and to get the program re-certified under federal and state guidelines which would allow
the state to be reimbursed by the Medicaid program fifty cents for every State dollar spent to fund the facility. Through the valiant efforts of our staff we were able to certify the facility within 45 days, and over time greatly enhance the condition of the services provided, as well as the relationships with the families and guardians. That being said, the introduction of the Ligas Consent Decree, which mandated persons residing in congregate ICF/DD residential settings must be offered the option to use their funding to move
into smaller community integrated living arrangements, allowed us to work with the Division of Developmental Disabilities and the local PAS agency, Suburban Access, to transition ten persons from the ICF/DD into two wonderful group living situations, one in Oak Lawn and one in Worth. The individuals have been residing in their new homes for a while now and it is wonderful to see them enjoying the closeness and wellbeing their new surroundings sustains, and the friendships they are establishing with their new neighbors. I want to thank all the staff, family members, and friends that worked so hard and contributed in so many ways to assist these individuals with this next phase of their journey. We could not have done without you.
Neenah CILA
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Jill Smith is something like Garden Center royalty. Her sister, Kim, was among the first people to attend Garden Center programs and lived in Garden Center’s first residential program, the Burbank ICF, when it opened. After her father retired from the post office, he took on the job of transporting people to and from GCS programs. Between transportation runs, he drove a truck to make deliveries for the workshop. Jill’s mother volunteered at GCS making hot lunches, working the rummage sales and served on the GCS Board of Directors. Jill spent a lot of time volunteering at GCS so it wasn’t hard to make the leap to employee when a second van driver position became available. Jill, like her dad, drove the transportation route and worked another GCS job, Office Clerk, until it was time for her to do the afternoon run. Since that time Jill has added a few more titles to her GCS resume... Bookkeeping Assistant, Bookkeeper and finally Chief Accountant.
Jill S 25 ye mith c ars w elebr ith G ates CS!
She grew up in Worth, IL just down the street from Garden Center’s newest home on Neenah Avenue. Jill and her husband Dave have two children, 14 year old Abby and 9 year old Christopher.
In July, Jill celebrated her 25th anniversary with Garden Center Services. We are lucky to have her and we know it!
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE Spend $10 win $25!
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Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
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Just spend $10 any day at Second Chance and you could win a $25 shopping spree! It’s just our way of saying thank you for your patronage all month! Ask your cashier for all the info. It’s so easy!
G C S
JULY
2014
BU S I N E S S
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
by the referral agencies that require the person to take a number of assessments. The purpose of these assessments is to pinpoint those deficits in cognitive, physical, and lifeskill development that will
Nicole & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Page 2 GCS WALKS, ROLLS & RUNS Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
Looking forward to this coming weekend and all the 4th of July celebrations leads me to think about the term “independence” and the struggles we’ve all gone through, as individuals and as a country, to become the people we want to be, spending our precious lives doing what we want to do. I would say the overarching goal we have as an agency that provides services and supports to adults with intellectual and physical disabilities is getting to know each person well enough so that we can accurately identify what their hopes and aspirations are and then doing whatever we can to assist them in realizing this potential. Before individuals are “awarded” state funding so that they can attend our programs, they must be screened
“It is only by spending quality time with an individual, deeply listening to them, observing them, that one comes to grasp their aptitude and ambitions. ”
verify they meet the criteria of having a developmental disability. It seems to be such a “what’s broken” way of looking at human beings, and does not give proper emphasis to the unique presence and contribution that each person possesses. It is only by spending quality time with an individual, deeply listening to them, observing them, that one comes to grasp their aptitude and ambitions. In both our day and residential programs we are continually working to improve the experiences and exposure our consumers receive driven by the approach described above.
C O R N E R
Susan Reilly’s group at our Kedzie location is hard at work on their recycling microbusiness, GCS Recycling. Drop off your old cell phones, smart phones, laptop computers & original HP, Brother, Lexmark, Dell and Canon printer cartridges and we’ll get to work sorting and preparing them for recycling. And the best part? GCS earns money for each item! You’ll find donation drop-off boxes at our State & Kedzie locations.
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Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
GCS Recyclers
We so appreciate the input provided by the families about their loved ones, and also the insights contributed by our caring staff that spends so much of their day engaged with our consumers. As an agency, as we become more aware and sensitive to the hopes and possibilities that are within each person we support, we must strive to make those changes necessary that will give them better access to full lives of participation. As much as I wanted to mention independence in this article, I also wanted to stress the need and benefit of “interdependence”. It’s truly only through the acceptance and support of one another that we can really become our best selves. I often think that one of the greatest gifts bestowed on us by the persons we support at Garden Center Services is their innate understanding of this principle, and the enviable way they open themselves to receiving and providing kindness. Enjoy the newsletter, and have a great summer.
how you can help GCS
GCS ENHANCES PROGRAM OFFERINGS A few months ago, Garden Center embarked on a project to enhance our programming at the State and Kedzie sites. In addition to incorporating new curriculum at both programs, the State program added a university-like component to their options. Participants rotate through classes with a focus on areas including Life Skills, Leisure, Art and Microbusiness. This set-up gives staff the opportunity to specialize in one topic and share that knowledge with more people. It also gives participants the opportunity to spend time in different locations for a welcomed change of pace.
Garden Center is in need of donations of the following items
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art supplies
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porch swing
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basketball hoop
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storage shelving
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rubbermaid -type storage containers
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digital camera
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wall-mountable TV for exercise room
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kitchen table &
At our Kedzie location, we recently added a second communitybased program. Individuals in the “community groups” participate in volunteer activities at local nonprofits including the Oak Lawn Children’s Museum, Food Circle food pantry, GiGi’s Playhouse, Meals on Wheels and many others.
Genia works on a home decor item
One of the most popular additions to both program sites is the Microbusiness component. This provides participants the opportunity to learn valuable job skills through participation in a small business with their group. Current businesses include small electronics and ink cartridge recycling, greeting card and home decor making. See the article on page 2 for more information on how you can participate in our recycling program and be sure to keep an eye out for our craft sales at upcoming events. If you have information on volunteer opportunities that might be a good match for our community groups, please contact Allison at aboyle@gardencenterservices.org.
chairs •
Wii game station
If you have something to donate, please contact Anne at amcferron@ gardencenterservices .org
Mark your calendar...
wreaths Summer
August 2014 Sunday
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Save the
GCS’s 58th Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon GCS’s 58th Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon will be held Sunday, November 2nd at the DoubleTree Hotel in Alsip.
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September 2014
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First Friday at the Gallery 7pm to 9pm
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Date!
Home decor wall ha nging
Janet knits up something cute
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All clothing at Second Chance is Half Price!
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Second Chance SUPER SALE 12pm to 4pm
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1 Labor Day GCS Day Sites Closed
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Membership 21 Meeting at State 7pm
All clothing at Second Chance is Half Price!
Senior Citizens Day
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All clothing at Second Chance is Half Price!
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All clothing at Second Chance is Half Price!
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All clothing at Second Chance is Half Price!
All clothing at Second Chance is Half Price!
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Saturday
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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
ital for a rec y d a e r s roup get Music g
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President
Daniel Wenzler
1st Vice President
Jenny Wojcik
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Treasurer
George Sterba
Secretary
Sharon Duncan
Members:
Annmarie Caulfield
REUSABLE CANVAS only GROCERY BAGS
$15
www.GardenGalleryandStudio.com
Mary Beth Herr John J. Kunkes Sean O’Shea
Stacey shows off the yoga mat bag she is weaving at the gallery
SAVE THE DATE!
Help the environment, Garden Center and look great doing it !
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Linda Sherwood
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.
This sturdy, 10 oz., 100% cotton canvas bag with gusseted bottom has a rich-color heat transfer of our artist’s work. It is the perfect bag for carrying your groceries, beach accessories, books or anything else you need to tote with you. Bag Dimensions: 10” W x 14” H x 5”
Buy yours today! www.GardenGalleryandStudio.com
45th Annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive Sept. 19th & 20th
Sign Up for your spot today! Contact Sandi at 708.257.9556 or scoleman@gardencenterservices.org
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ELLIS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Thank you!!!
for their generous donation of shelving for our Kedzie location!