THIS MONTH’S ISSUE The View From My Chair
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Garden Center Family Spotlight
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Make GCS $55 in 5 minutes!
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Around GCS
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THE LEAFLET ISSUE FEB YEAR 2012
The View From My Chair 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.
our compassionate care The governor presented his State of the and family like atmosphere. State message this past Wednesday, and I am looking forward to the obviously there was not a lot of good news. opening of a women’s home located in Ballooning Medicaid costs and the lack of the Oak Lawn community, and also the any new sources of revenue for the state long awaited Garden Gallery & Studio coffers leads to the bleak projection of an located in Tinley Park. ongoing budget deficit here in Illinois. In response to this “ I am looking forward I’m hopeful both these programs will strengthen forecast, the general tone to the opening of a our ability to enhance of the governors’ speech women’s home located the lives of persons with was about jobs, and the developmental disabilities, construction projects, tax in the Oak Lawn and will also generate breaks, and incentives that needed to be supported by community, and also the new revenue for the the legislature in order to long awaited Garden agency as well. increase employment in the Gallery & Studio located Clearly, we need your state. financial support as much in Tinley Park” as ever. Here are several I certainly understand ways that you, your family, and your friends this logic, but I’m also keenly aware that can make a big impact on the agency’s Garden Center Services now employs bottom line: (1) Sign up with iGive.com. 144 staff, and we, as well as all providers, Just signing up earns money for GCS. continue to grapple with our payments Learn more about the program on page from the Department of Human Services. 3 of this newsletter. (2) Buy a Carson’s Our receivables from the state, the money Coupon Book. They will be available for we have billed for and are waiting on, is purchase February 13th and 100% of the currently around $800,000. And our agency proceeds come back to the agency. (3) is on the expedited payment program! Attend our 2nd Annual Potting Party on April 6th. Tickets will go on sale soon. See This being said, I’m very proud of the our website for updates. (4) Shop Second positive direction I feel our agency is Chance Thrift Shoppe’s great bargains. moving in. I’m aware of the many tours Proceeds from thrift sales go to Garden being provided to prospective consumers Center’s Services. and their families, and I’m always pleased by the comments they share regarding A 5 0 1 ( c ) ( 3 ) N onp r ofi t o rg ani zati on