THIS MONTH’S ISSUE The View From My Chair
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Garden Center Family Spotlight
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Heard You Need a Will?
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Friends of Garden Center
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THE LEAFLET ISSUE JUL YEAR 2011
a message from our Executive director
The View From My Chair
Over 98% of the applicable standards comments the surveyors hear every day. met in the Community Integrated Living Please join me in applauding and thanking Program! 95% of the relevant standards for our wonderful staff for creating such a the Developmental Training Day Program caring place to work and play at. were fulfilled! These are the agency’s scores from the recently conducted As this newsletter goes to print, we are Annual Survey by the state’s Bureau of still unsure of our funding for the fiscal Accreditation, Licensure & Certification. year that begins Friday, July 1st. What is These marks are certainly something to certainly obvious is that disability providers take satisfaction with, will be heading into their 9th But the outcomes of given they demonstrate straight year with no Cost of our staffs’ ability to Doing Business increase, which the survey that I am interpret and apply the if you take into consideration most heartened by... direction contained in an annual 2.5% inflation rate, the Rules imposed by results in a 22.5% reduction in were the affirmative the regulatory bodies of funding over the last 9 years. the Illinois Department of This situation, in addition to statements made by Human Services. the uncertainty of our rates for both consumers and the coming year, have lead to But the outcomes of guardians about their decisions that are necessary to the survey that I am tighten our financial belt. I ask services and supports your understanding and support most heartened by, and which I believe to be for these decisions and any here at Garden. most important, were changes they create. the affirmative statements made by both consumers and guardians about their Certainly, your ongoing financial and moral services and supports here at Garden support is so appreciated during these Center. It was such pleasant experience times. As any of you have creative ideas to sit and listen to the surveyors share that could help the agency’s bottom line, comments about the responses they had do not hesitate to contact me. I want to received from their interviews. It was thank everybody that contributed to the obvious that statements like, “This agency recent Walk-A-Thon. It was a magnificent saved my brother”, “My staff really like to event and certainly a celebration of Garden hang out with me!”, or “ The worst days are Center Services. when the day program is closed”, were not
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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.
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A 5 0 1 (c ) ( 3 ) Nonprofit organi zation
Garden Center Family Spotlight Adam Mack moved to Garden Center about two years ago. He lives at the Berwyn home and is a member of the Community-based group at Wesbrook. Adam loves the numerous activities he is involved in throughout the day. Each week Adam and his group volunteer for multiple charities including The Children’s Museum of Oak Lawn where they sanitize the toys and straighten up the play areas, Meals on Wheels where they deliver food to homebound seniors, Hansen Center Horse Farm where they sanitize riding helmets and rake the riding ring, Ronald McDonald House where they bake cookies and cakes for families staying there, and The Food Circle where they work out of a local police station to organize and bag extra food donated from Trader Joe’s for needy families.
ADAM MACK
Somehow even with his busy schedule, Adam finds time for movies, bowling, shopping and his favorite pastime, basketball. Adam loves to go to the park to shoot hoops with his friends. He says he loves to practice shooting long range jumpers and is well-known for his ability to make shots from half-court. When asked about his remarkable talent Adam says, “Sometimes I make a basket and sometimes I miss. I’m good with that. It takes time.”
Kelvin Griffin has been with Garden Center for over three years. He works at the Moody House. Kelvin says he loves working at Garden Center because, “The family atmosphere is a place where I can be myself.” Part of being himself is playing practical jokes on his coworkers for which he is infamous. Kelvin is also well known around Garden Center for his impeccable fashion sense and is referred to by many as “The best dressed man at Garden Center.” Recently, Kelvin and a coworker made arrangements and took a group of four Garden Center consumers to Memphis, TN. It was a dream come true for the group who visited popular local landmarks including the Martin Luther King, Jr. museum. The group is still talking about the great time they had!
KELVIN GRIFFIN
When not working Kelvin is busy studying as he works toward his Bachelor degree in Psychology at Governor’s State University. He will graduate in Spring 2012.
Garden Center Goes Even GREENER!
Garden Center is helping the people we serve AND the Earth with our newest endeavou and digital cameras from the community to recycle. Garden Center earns money for each diverting the electronic waste from entering local landfill sites. Think Recycle will also don Center. In addition, this summer Think Recycle is awarding an additional cash prize of $7 and make a difference by donating your old printer cartridges, cell phones and cameras Garden Center website for a list of qualified items we collect.
Becca, Steven, Tracey and Lisa recycle printer cartridges and small electronics for GCS’s recycling program
If your company or civic association would like to place a GCS collection receptacle at th Henry at (708)-398-6587. Your donation will not only support Garden Center Service
Heard You Need a Will? Here’s Why
A will is your opportunity to help the people and organizations that mean the most to you; to sort out your investments, real estate and other property; to save taxes for your heirs. It’s the most important opportunity you’ll get in your life to tell the world what you want and how you want it done. On the other hand, without a will your property will be taxed and distributed according to the rules and formulas of the state’s “intestacy” law. Under that law no provision can be made to give extra assistance to a family member who needs it; to pass your Civil War collection on to the friend who shares your interests; or to make a gift to your favorite charity. There’s still time to make sure that your wishes will be taken into account. Begin to make your plans today: Who will get what? Does anyone need extra, ongoing care? Would a trust for young children or grandchildren be prudent? Next, consult an attorney and get the job done. You’ll experience real peace of mind when your will is complete. (Already have a will? Now is a good time to review it. Tax laws change, and so do family circumstances—births, deaths, divorces, moves to another state... Take the time to make sure that your will still works the way you want it to.) When you write (or re-write) your will, please consider including a bequest to Garden Center. You’ll be building our future financial strength and helping to ensure that we’ll keep on providing excellent services to people with developmental disabilities for generations to come. You can do all this with a gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime! We’ll be happy to provide more information about wills and bequests. Just call Michele Hula at (708) 398-6506.
Garden Center’s NEEDS List Pool table
Large flower pots Picnic tables Zoo passes
Event tickets New dishes
Flat screen TV Bookshelf
Vacuum & attachments New gardening tools Laptop computers Craft supplies Wall art
Frames for artwork Blank canvases
X-Box & dance games Living room set
This article is intended to provide general gift planning information. Our organization is not qualified to provide specific legal, tax or investment advice, and this publication should not be looked to or relied upon as a source for such advice. Consult with your legal and financial advisors before making any gift.
Xbox Kinect
Gym dues/passes Club dues
Living room set
GCS BULLETIN BOARD sicians, Knitters, mu scrapbookers, ... sts Bonsai enthusia WE NEED YOU!
king for everyone Garden Center is loo ial talent to share. with a hobby or spec Center this summer Volunteer at Garden h us! to share your gift wit
DID YOU KNOW?
You can now purchase artwork by Garden Center Artists on our website! Just visit www.GardenCenterServices. org and click on the Art Gallery tab to view and
If you have an item to donate, please email Anne McFerron at amcferron@gardencenterservices.org
ur. With our partner, Think Recycle, Garden Center is gathering unwanted cell phones, laptops, inkjets, toner cartridges h approved item that we collect. Greentec, the company behind Think Recycle, processes and recycles the products, nate money to have one tree planted, through American Forests for every 24 qualifying products collected by Garden 750 to the group that collects the most recyclables between July 1st and September 30th. Help us grab the top spot for recycling. You will find a donation bin at Garden Center’s Main Building and one at our Wesbrook location. Visit the
heir location or would like to donate or help us in another way with our collection efforts, please contact Sheila Ryanes, but will also help our planet!
FRIENDS OF GARDEN CENTER Where we grow
dignity and
independence
$1,500-$3,500 UNITED WAY
$1,000 - $1,499 •
phone 708.636.0054 email info@gardencenterservices.org web www.gardencenterservices.org
Board of Directors President
Barbara Clarke
1st Vice President
Scott Hardek
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Secretary
Shelly Scinto
Treasurer
R. Pat Ballis
Members:
John J. Kunkes Frances Mientus Linda Stearns Daniel Wenzler
Margaret M. Horny
$500 - $999 • •
ILLINOIS STATE COUNCIL #3582 CHICAGO LAWN SERTOMA
$100 - $499
http://www.facebook.com/ gardencenterservices
Shelley Schmitt -
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Shelly Scinto Myrtis Winter -
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Linda Sherwood -
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Michael O’Grady -
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Deborah Arends -
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Barbara Clarke -
MEMORIAL FOR WALTER CARBONNEAU
MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA
BURBANK WOMEN’S CIVIC CLUB THE MPOWER GROUP, INC.
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FREEBORN & PETERS LLP
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Linda Stearns -
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THE CLOROX COMPANY FOUNDATION Sherry L. VanKuren Jeff Cyga
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Barbara Bierig
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Helen Pietryla -
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Dorothy Ballis Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jurkiewicz
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Steffi Bierig -
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Anne Burgess
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Andrew Weis -
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Eric Stortz
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Antoine Hinton
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Nicole Schaefer
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Richard Wasser
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Judith Stortz
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SEYMOUR MANUFACTURING COMPANY -
MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA
MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON
MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA
MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA
MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON
MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON
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Eileen Thomas
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Angela Martinez
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Elizabeth Forster -
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Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Combs
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Vicky Shalaby -
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http://twitter.com/gardencentersrv
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MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON WISH LIST IN HONOR OF THE MCGRATH FAMILY
Up to $99
http://www.youtube.com/user/ gardencenterservices
March-May 2011
MEMORIAL FOR DEAN STOVER HOTEKO
Elsa Heinemann -
MEMORIAL FOR GENE OLIVO MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA
Frances Mientus -
MEMORIAL FOR VIOLA FREDRICKS MEMORIAL FOR VIOLA FREDRICKS MEMORIAL FOR VIOLA FREDRICKS MEMORIAL FOR RON HARALSON MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON
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Melissa C. Schaefer Elsa Heinemann -
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Robert E. Spain -
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CORONA BRUSHES, INC -
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Edward Crowe -
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HALLMAN LINDSAY PAINTS, INC. -
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Grace Woodin -
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Mary Ann Lawlor -
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Maureen Pietryla -
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Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Cheskis -
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Mr. & Mrs. James D. Russo -
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Mr. & Mrs. David Zelis -
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RECORD COPY SERVICE -
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Beverly Peters -
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Lillian Wessel -
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Frances Mientus -
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Mr.& Mrs. Peter Buzane Mr. & Mrs. Cianain Rickard -
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Joseph Zaremba -
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Marguerite Marcinkiewicz -
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Mr. & Mrs.Dimitri Hoteko -
MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON
MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON
DONATION FOR JANET & MYRTIS WINTERS’ BIRTHDAYS MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA
MEMORIAL FOR ARTHUR KLOOSTEEMAN MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA
MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON MEMORIAL FOR BETTY L. OLSON
MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA MEMORIAL FOR STEVE CYGA