February
2013
T
Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sal & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GCS FAMILY SPOTLIGHT Page 2 LATEST FROM THE GALLERY Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
It may seem odd to talk about Spring when we’re dealing with the ice and cold of a February morning, but I find my mind is really focused on the coming season of new growth and possibilities because of all the enhancements occurring at our agency. In an effort to improve both the agency’s quality of services and our financial bottom line, we have recently filled a few administrative positions to continue our dedicated commitment to Garden Center Services’ mission statement: Ralph 18
Storino, who has years experience
overseeing the financial matters of social service agencies, is now our Director of Fiscal Management. Jill Smith, who has been with the agency for over 23 years, has moved into the position of Chief Accountant. Jennifer Georgis, an experienced fund development professional, has been brought on to direct our Fund Development Program. Ralph, Jill and Jennifer are officed at the Kedzie location and can be reached at 773-941-4151.
“In an effort to improve both the agency’s quality of services and our financial bottom line, we have recently filled a few administrative positions ” Given that the Business Office is now located at the Kedzie building, in addition to Fund Development and Human Resources, it made sense that my office would be located there as well. Cindy Haworth, Director of Operations, has moved into my old office at State & Austin. I also wanted to mention that Sheryl Kincinas, who has done an admirable job of administrating the
two Intermediate Care Facilities for the past five years, is now going to use her management skills in her new role as Director of Day Program Services. Kathleen Proffitt, at the Burbank ICF/DD, and Megan Wren, at the Berwyn ICF/DD will now fulfill the roles of Qualified Health Service Professional and Administrator for their respective sites. There have been some other internal moves as well and information about all the changes will be communicated in a separate mailing in the near future. I had also wanted to mention the efforts and activities undertaken by our devoted Board of Directors. A lot of time and energy has been sacrificed by these individuals to establish a strategic plan for the agency, and to develop those guidelines and committees which will provide support to myself and the executive team to reach our goals. Please be sure to join me in thanking the board for their dedicated service. Please enjoy this newsletter and reading about all the good things going on at your agency!
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY SPOTLIGHT Pam Kennedy joined the Garden Center family in October 2011. She is an LPN with experience in hospital settings as well as home health. Pam works with Garden Center’s RN, Terry Viebach, to provide health care services for everyone Garden Center serves. Pam has many responsibilities including training staff on health related topics of those they support, completing medical assessments, checking medication, attending medical appointments when needed and monitoring the overall health of those we serve. Pam grew up on the Southside. She says she finds her job at Garden Center “challenging and rewarding” adding that what she loves most is “the smiles and the greetings you get everyday. It is like no other job!” When Pam is not at Garden Center, she enjoys bike riding, exercising, music and especially spending time with her family. Pam has three grown boys. Her youngest is in the Air Force, her middle son works for British Petroleum, and her oldest is in the restaurant industry.
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ned n e K Pam
Jackie has been with Garden Center since 2002. She helps in the special needs room where she takes care of tasks like washing the laundry and helping room members with their lunches and activities. Jackie also makes time to attend Garden Center’s Literacy Group. She says she enjoys reading and especially liked the book The Boxcar Children. Jackie grew up in Justice, IL where her family still lives. She loves sports and in her spare time plays basketball and baseball with the local park district teams and enjoys bowling with her family.
Jackie
G C S
B U S I N E S S
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Second Chance Thrift Shoppe has been supporting Garden Center since it was opened by Bonnie and Ron Nalepa in 2008. The Thrift Shoppe is a great financial support to Garden Center as payments from the State of Illinois continue to become even more delinquent. The Thrift Shoppe and Garden Center need your help. Donations are at an
Items for donation can be dropped off at all-time low and we need great things to sell! Second Chance Thrift Shoppe If you have been thinking about cleaning out 44 Stephen Street in Lemont Monday-Saturday 10:00am-3:30pm your garage or attic now is the time to do it. Thursday 10:00am-6:30pm Second Chance Thrift Shoppe will find a great
Like us on Facebook! home for your old belongings and earn money w w w. f a c e b o o k . c om / SecondChanceThriftShoppe to support Garden Center at the same time.
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Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
Second Chance is run almost entirely by a dedicated army of volunteers
needs list
The Latest from Garden Gallery & Studio Last Sunday the owners of Andersonville Kitchen &
Andersonville Kitchen and Bath
Bath, Maja and Ognjen Guzina, hosted an art sale
5038 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60640
and auction of Garden Gallery artist’s work in their Chicago showroom. It was a great success! Garden Gallery sold nine paintings
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Computers
earning over $1,200 for the artists and gallery. Didn’t get a chance to make it?
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Vacuum sweepers
will keep you posted!
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Books
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Event tickets
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Puzzles
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Games
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Art/Craft
Don’t worry we are already planning a future show and sale for the summer. We
Genia po ses with her p and the store ow ainting ners
supplies •
Art frames
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Blank canvases
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CDs & players
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VHS/DVD players
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Exercise videos & equipment
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Music instruments
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Digital cameras
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X-Box and Wii games
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ho ron w a pat aintings h it is p sw of h pose Nick ased one h purc
Artists take a moment to relax
Come see Garden Gallery & Studio march in the Tinley Park Irish Parade on Sunday, March 10th!
Did You Know? This March 9th through 17th is the annual Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier and Garden Gallery & Studio will be front and center! This
Gardening
past summer the President of Flower Show Productions, Tony Abruscato, who puts on the event saw Karen Meyer’s
supplies
based on paintings by masters. Our artist’s work will be interpreted by experts from The American Institute of Floral
report on ABC 7 about the gallery. Tony contacted us and after a meeting, he invited our artists to create four works
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Storage bins
Designers into beautiful floral arrangements. In addition to this honor, Garden Gallery will also have a booth in
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Storage cabinets
the exhibit hall (#409) where we will be able to share our story and sell our wares! We hope you will stop by and
Mark your calendar...
visit us! Learn more about the event at http://www.chicagoflower.com.
GCS MEMBERSHIP MEETING & ELECTION Friday, February 22nd 7pm at GCS Main Building - 8333 S. Austin Ave., Burbank
FIRST FRIDAY AT THE GALLERY
Friday, March 1st 7pm to 9pm at Garden Gallery & Studio - 17459 S. Oak Park Avenue, Tinley
CHICAGO FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW
March 9th-March 17th at Navy Pier Chicago - visit Garden Gallery in booth #409
Remember to use iGive for your Valentine Day Shopping!
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SUPER SALE
Sunday, March 10th 12pm to 4pm at Second Chance Thrift Shoppe - 44 Stephen Street, Lemont
TINLEY PARK IRISH PARADE
visit www.iGive.com/ GardenCenter
3rd ANNUAL GCS POTTING PARTY
to learn how you can help Garden Center when you shop online.
Sunday, March 10th 2pm on Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park - stop in Garden Gallery & Studio!
Friday, April 5th 7pm to 12am at Bourbon Street - 3359 W. 115th Street Merrionette Park
CARSON’S DAYS COMMUNITY BOOKS
On Sale Now! Contact Jennifer Georgis for more info jgeorgis@gardencenterservices.org. Sale Dates March 1st & 2nd
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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
Scott Hardek
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Treasurer
R. Pat Ballis
Secretary
Annmarie Caulfield
Members:
John J. Kunkes
Sylvia & Ch rissy enjoy the Christm as Festivities
a and Donn
Frank
Linda Stearns
Kathy an d Bob
Linda Sherwood Sharon Duncan
Charlie
Jenny Wojcik
Mich ael
OUR MISSION Garden Center Services is committed to supporting and empowering persons with developmental disabilities through innovative and personcentered 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.
Karen and Tim
y and Gerr
ey Stac
DeJuan and Marty
Jamie and Jenny Sue and Kath y
l Caro