JANUARY
2016
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gerry & Bob
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Page 2 THRIFT SHOPPE MILESTONE Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
In my article for this first Leaflet of 2016, I simply would like to express my deepest gratitude for all the support and kindnesses that many of you have provided to this agency and the wonderful individuals we serve over this past year. With so much of what we see on the television and internet having to do with intolerance, division, and violence, it is so important to realize how much goodness is expressed every day, and to think on these things.
Practicing this focus can replenish the energy and commitment that drives us to treat one another with patience and compassion. I am so strengthened in my desire to stay positive by the precious opportunities I have to spend time with the caring and authentic individuals that are served in our programs. To all of you reading this newsletter that have contributed your time, energy, talents, and personal finances to positively impact the individuals served by Garden Center Services, you have done a wonderful thing. Please enjoy a few extra pictures which can express better than my words can, the joy and meaning that your assistance helps us bring to the wonderful
individuals that attend our programs. From myself, Cindy, and the Board of Directors, we wish you and yours a New Year filled with health, happiness, and peace.
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY
In
Memory
Robert “Bob” Hall passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 16th, 2015. Bob had attended Garden Center’s day programs and lived at Garden Center’s Burbank home for many years. He had a natural gift for ll Bob” Ha making everyone he met feel lighter, more Robert “ joyful, and better about themselves and this world of ours. Bob was, without a doubt, one of the best story tellers ever, and through his storytelling had an infectious way of making you laugh and helping you to take yourself way less seriously. He was also truly tender-hearted and if he thought he had the opportunity to help someone, he was on cloud nine: helping Brian with maintenance, doing things in the kitchen for Melinda, and bringing coffee to his girlfriend in the morning were just a few of the ways he showed how much he cared for others. Once you met Bob you quickly heard about his love of vehicles (or more accurately of vehicles breaking down) “We came out after the movie, and the van wouldn’t start!”, how much he enjoyed his pipe and tobacco, the way he looked forward to the holidays and his birthday, his love for his girlfriend Kathy, his brother Ron, his grand nephew Aidan, and all his friends at Garden Center, the SPRED program, and all the other places he went where people fell in love with him. Simply, he was an authentically decent man who would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it. We will go forward honoring Bob’s life and memory by sharing his stories with one another, helping one another to laugh and enjoy the moment, carrying one another’s burdens, and always, always, being kind to one another.
G C S
B U S I N E S S
C O R N E R
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE Did You Know? Donations of goods or time to Second Chance is a great way to support programs and services at GCS!
Donation drop off is open
Monday - Saturday 10am to 3:30pm
Want to Volunteer?
Give us a call (630) 243-1279 or stop in the Shoppe to learn more! 44 Stephen Street in Lemont
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Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
Have fun & help GCS!
ANNUAL STAFF HOLIDAY PARTY On December 11th, GCS held our annual staff Christmas party. Because we are an agency that supports people in settings 24 hours-a-day, we rarely have a chance to be together as a group. GCS leadership staff work hard to make sure all staff are able to rotate through the event so everyone can participate in the festivities. It is a time to enjoy each other’s company and an important time to recognize the valuable contributions of our amazing staff and their years of service to the individuals we serve.
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE REACHES HUGE MILESTONE! Bonnie and Ron Nalepa, joined by an army of volunteers, opened Second Chance Thrift Shoppe in July 2008 with a goal of providing an additional revenue stream for Garden Center. Since that time, the shoppe’s ongoing support has been a lifeline for the agency, without which the growth and quality of Garden Center’s services would not have been possible. Early last month, Second Chance reached an amazing milestone; the shoppe has grossed two million dollars in revenue - giving the agency approximately $900,000 (after expenses). With Illinois agencies like ours struggling daily and no budget from the Illinois legislature in site, Garden Center is so thankful to Second Chance for making it possible for our agency to weather the state’s ever-present budget difficulties and enabling GCS to continue to fulfill its mission of providing quality residential and vocational supports to adults with intellectual disabilities. Please show your support for the incredible effort and difference the Thrift Shoppe has made by committing to visit and shop there at least one time during the month of January. We hope every family we serve would accept, and meet, this challenge. Also, make your extended family and friends of what the shop has done for our program participants, and invite them to stop by the shoppe as well. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF SECOND CHANCE & GARDEN CENTER!
Mark your calendar...
GCS Day Programs and Administrative Offices will be CLOSED JAN. 1st and
JAN. 18th
Community Bulletin Board HELP GCS MAKE WISHES COME TRUE! Win te 10 am r Hours Mon to 4 pm .-S at.
ALE SUPER S Y, SUND1A7th JAN. 4pm 12pm to
G RYTHIN E V E F F ONT 50% O T IN LEM
EN STREE 44 STEPH
GCS’s My Wish Program needs your help to make some of the 2016 requests for those we serve a reality. We are looking for tickets/gift certificates to events including: • • • • • • •
Bears Bulls Hawks Cubs White Sox Restaurants (especially PF Chang’s & Palermo’s) Any stage shows
If you would like to help, please contact Allie at 773-941-4151 Ext. 228 or aboyle@ gardencenterservices.org
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Growing dignity
FRIENDS OF GARDEN CENTER SEPTEMBER 2015 - NOVEMBER 2015
and independence
$5,000 - $1,000 • • •
8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL 60459
$999- $500
10444 S. Kedzie Chicago, IL 60655
• •
phone 773-941-4151 email info@gardencenterservices.org
• •
web www.GardenCenterServices.org
Donna & Colleen BOARD OF DIRECTORS President
Dr. Jenny Wojcik
1st Vice President
Annmarie Caulfield
2nd Vice President
Paul Krutulis
Treasurer
George Sterba
Secretary
Florence Head
Members:
Caroline Connors Representative Fran Hurley
• • • •
Jonathon P. Steffen BURBANK MANOR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Deborah Conway Brian & Julianne Staisiunas
• • • •
EXELON Colleen O’Grady Francesca Manzella Robert Dombrowski
• •
Dave Rauen Tom Beemesterboer
John Kunkes LAIRE M. AND JOHN M. FITZ CHARITABLE FUND Gerry Beagles Rita Jurkiewicz
$100 - $499
•
Joan Strainis
In Honor of Nancy Rickard
In Honor of Dan Beemsterboer
Thomas Driscoll
In Honor of Dan Beemsterboer
Subhash Shah Bob & Donna Willoughby
Up to $99
Pam & Mary
•
George Sterba Jr.
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Daniel Heenan CLOROX CO FOUNDATION EMPLOYEE GIVING CAMP Sherry L VanKuren Ronald & Alice Hall Brian Rotroff Ann McGrath-Harty Joan Fox Jim Wascher Sharon Duncan Jose Medina Brian & Elizabeth Wojak Amazon Smile iGIVE SHOPPERS Linda Stearns St Laurence TeacherS UNITED WAY METRO CHICAGO
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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.
THRIFT SHOPPE CUSTOMERS Mary Beth Herr Jenny Wojcik
In Honor of Richie Prapuolenis
Andy & Yvonne Please show your appreciation for these Garden Center Fashion Show sponsors when you need products/services! Teamsters Local 705 American Heritage Protective Services David Cobb Friends of Harry Klein Mahoney Crowe & Goldrick, P.c. NICOR Gas Michael Kowalik, DDS Lou Viverito South Division Credit Union Pepsi Beverages Co. Chicago Office Products
The Private Bank Ciarlette & Robbins, LLP Little Flower Healthcare Registry Oak Lawn Tax Services Halberg Valek Insurance Agency Maloney & Company, Ltd. Shamrock Blacktop & Sealcoating Catholic Family Holy Society Paul McGreal & Co. US Bank Friends of Bill Cunningham Friends of Fran Hurley
St. Albert The Great High School 19th Ward Youth Foundation Larry’s Break Service Frega Architects, Ltd. Keepsake Publishing Coyle & Herr Abide in Me Running Excels Chicago Lock Box Therap The Original Pancake House