JAN/FEB
2017
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gerry & Lynn
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 MY WISH PROGRAM Page 2 EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
Let me begin by wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year! I have spoken to so many who were glad to put 2016 to rest, and who embrace the opportunity to begin work on the blank canvas of 2017 in the hope it will represent scenes depicted by warmer, more vibrant and harmonious hues than what we have experienced recently. I realize there will always be struggles and challenges, but I continue to believe it is the gift and responsibility of each one of us to dip our brush into the colors we choose and add our influence to the landscapes we collectively journey on.
Recently there were a series of articles printed in the Chicago Tribune that painted a very disturbing picture regarding the lives some persons with developmental disabilities were experiencing in small, community-based living arrangements due to the lack of appropriate funding and oversight provided by the state of Illinois. There is little doubt that with Illinois consistently ranking among the lowest five states for financial commitment to community care and that providers have gone nearly nine years without an increase in reimbursement rates, this can create situations where individuals receive incredibly poor or negligent care. I contend that this only happens if the leadership of those agencies have lost sight of and commitment to the mission of improving the lives of the persons we serve, or that they did not have those values to begin with.
Obviously it is difficult to provide people with what they need in this fiscal environment, but it is a challenge the management and Board of Directors of Garden Center Services recognizes, and accepts. We realize that in order to provide the supports and programs our participants need and deserve we cannot just rely on the revenue from our state funders, and that is why you frequently hear about the events and drives we put on to generate the monies we need. A heartfelt “Thank You” to each and every one of you that have responded to our requests for your help by donating your time, energy, and money. It is an honor and vocation to be involved in the lives of the persons we serve, and we take your trust and support very seriously. Let’s all pick up our paint brushes and create a masterpiece of this coming year. Peace & Joy,
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY THANK YOU FOR MAKING ASHLEY’S WISH COME TRUE You can help us fulfill more dreams in 2017 through Garden Center’s MY WISH PROGRAM A few years ago, GCS created the My Wish project. My Wish gives every person in our Kedzie and State Street programs the opportunity to make a wish for something they would love to do, learn, or have, outside of the regular opportunities provided them.
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The program has been a great success with people receiving wishes from a visit to Sears Tower to visiting Red Lobster to try lobster for the first time.
Last month it was Ashley’s turn for her wish. Ashley loves to have her nails done and chose to go out for a manicure and lunch. Little did Ashley know, that thanks to the wonderful folks at Pure Salon in Homer Glen, she was about to get a BIG surprise! When her manicurist, Oxsana, heard about the My Wish Program, she got Julie, a Pure Salon hairdresser, involved. Julie gave Ashley a beautiful hairstyle and they invited Ashley to come back to Pure Salon every four months for a free manicure and style!
Julie at Pure Salon gave Ashley a FREE hairstyle!
We are so grateful to Oxsana and Julie at Pure Salon and ask that you please show your appreciation for this amazing business by using their services, referring friends, or buying your next hair care products from them! 14164 S. Bell Road Homer Glen, IL OXSANA: 773-307-4742 JULIE: 708-525-1500 HAIR, SKIN, NAILS, WAXING, LASH EXTENSIONS & MORE!
www.PureHairSalons.com
G C S
If you would like to make someone’s wish come true, please contact: Sheryl Kincinas at 708-398-6598 or skincinas@ gardencenterservices.org
B U S I N E S S
Doesn’t she look amazing?!
C O R N E R
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT NEEDS YOU! Want to have fun & do good at the same time? Second Chance Thrift Shoppe is looking for volunteers to help with taking in donations, tagging items, running the register and more!
Interested? Call Fran at 630-243-1279
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Do good when you shop...
Have fun & help Garden Center!
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM UPDATE In the Fall of 2015, Garden Center Services refocused our efforts on assisting interested program participants to obtain real employment in businesses located in the surrounding neighborhoods. The Community Employment Program utilizes individualized job skills training and on-site job coaching to ensure a positive experience for both the employer and the employee. The testimonies we’ve received from employers about the powerful impact their businesses have realized due to hiring a person through our program have been incredible.
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We’re confident there are more shops, offices, restaurants, and companies we all patronize daily that could join this effort to provide meaningful work to persons we support. As we move into the new year, won’t you help us make 2017 a more optimistic, affirmative landscape for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in general, and especially in regard to supporting those we serve to find meaningful employment in their communities.
For more information about this awesome opportunity or if you’re looking for a great employee, please contact Michele Hula at mhula@GardenCenterServices.org or by phone at 773-941-4151 Ext. 212. ON-SITE CONTRACT WORK with GCS Works! If you know of businesses looking for outside support with tasks including small item assembly, envelope stuffing, or similar jobs... WE CAN DO THAT TOO! Please contact Jacqueline Opyt by phone at 708-398-6538 or by email at jopyt@gardencenterservices.org. Follow us on
Among several topics to be discussed, we will talk about a couple of upcoming board vacancies
Newcastle Park Burbank, IL SATURDAY, JUNE 3RD 2017 at 8:30AM
Mark your calendar...
Saturday, January 21st 10:30am to noon State Street Program 8333 S. Austin Ave. in Burbank
Community Bulletin Board
GCS Day Programs CLOSED January 2nd & January 16th
ilies who many fam tions e h t o t u o celebra Thank y our holiday kets helped make hose who donated tic cial t e p o s t d is festive an d events to make th le. b n a a to shows ear even more enjoy time of y
AN EASY WAY TO HELP Most of the people we serve do not have the funds required to enjoy theater, sports events, holiday shows or the many other activities that Chicago has to offer. When someone we serve does get that opportunity, it is an incredibly exciting event that is talked about and remembered fondly for years. If you have tickets to a show or event you are unable to use or if you would like to purchase tickets or donate money toward their purchase, please contact Cindy Haworth and help us make wonderful memories for those we serve. Cindy Haworth 773-941-4151 Ext. 213
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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
FRIENDS OF GARDEN CENTER $4,999 - $1,000 • • • • • • •
$999- $500
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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web www.GardenCenterServices.org
President
Dr. Jenny Wojcik
1st Vice President
Annmarie Caulfield
2nd Vice President
Paul Krutulis
Treasurer
George Sterba
Secretary
Florence Head
Members:
Caroline Connors Joan Strainis Representative Fran Hurley Dave Rauen Tom Beemsterboer
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.
John J. Kunkes, III SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE SHOPPERS VOLLEYBALL FOR CHARITY Rita Jurkiewicz F3 EVENTS, LLC Margaret Horny MARIST HIGH SCHOOL Howard Beagles SECOND PLACE CHURCH Peggy Hardek Jenny Wojcik CLAIRE M. AND JOHN M. FITZ CHARITABLE FUND DONATIONXCHANGE
$100 - $499 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Dennis and Deborah Conway EXELON Jonathon P. Steffen Martin Doyle David Ciarlette BURBANK MANOR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Dorothy Coyle Ann McGrath-Harty George Sterba, Jr. INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS CLOROX CO FOUNDATION EMPLOYEE GIVING CAMP Sherry L. VanKuren ANONYMOUS Brain Rotroff Brian & Elizabeth Wojak Joan Fox Mr. & Mrs. Steve Mientus Thomas Driscoll Linda Sherwood Susan Greer Timothy Hennip
Up to $99 • • • •
Susan Schultz Mary Kelly Daniel Heenan Russell Wysocki
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JUNE 2016 - NOVEMBER 2016
Michael O’Grady Lester Arguelles Jennifer Brunetti Jennifer Georgis Donald Bettig Eric Paul Dipietro Francesca Manzella Maureen Vlcek Patricia Mikus King Richard Otto AMAZON SMILE Jennifer Williams TRUIST Colleen Cunningham Andrew Kapala ETSY, INC. Patricia King Sandra De Moor Joseph Lauricella Tina Pedersen FREGA ASSOCIATES, LTD Florence Head PHARMACY ALTERNATIVES Donna Vanderbilt ALLSTATE THE GIVING CAMPAIGN Inan Terry Tom Doherty Marilyn Fitzgerald Shelley Schmitt Catherine Akers Michael Considine Molly Hartman Denise Kaftan Mary P. Malloy Mary Shadden-Perez Maureen Gavin Kate Danna David Rauen Joseph Scerba Laura Sweiss Kimberly Carbonneau-Liston Nicole Lapp Tasha Majchrzak Patricia Zacharski Emily Seto
Mike & a GIA NT
PIZZA!