JUNE
2016
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
those supports the quality of his experiences would be greatly diminished. It is our collective responsibility to stand up and join our voices in unison to advocate for the services, programs, and rights of our most marginalized, impoverished citizens
Gerry & Michael
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 NEW FACES AT GARDEN Page 2 ADOPT-A-HOME UPDATE Page 3 FRIENDS OF GCS Page 4
I really like this picture of Michael and I on the front of this month’s Leaflet. So often I’m standing alongside one of the individuals that attend our programs, with my hand on their back or around their shoulder. Those photos don’t represent well enough the camaraderie and support I and the other staff receive from those persons we assist. I find it especially poignant that this snapshot captures Mike, a guy that at times can almost make you wince by the force of his handshake, or the volume of his voice, demonstrating his benevolence by placing his arm around my shoulder. And yet for all of his vigor, Michael is at Garden Center Services because there are areas of his daily life that he needs help with, and without
“A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” The Buddha
Obviously the Illinois’ General Assembly adjourned its spring session Tuesday night with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and majority Democrats still deadlocked over a state budget. Illinois already has gone almost a full fiscal year without a spending plan and now there is nothing in place for the fiscal year beginning July 1st. The ongoing track record of Illinois’ programs being underfunded and unfunded is deplorable, and the negative impact on the lives of the individuals we serve and their families is untenable! I realize that the
intricacies of negotiating a budget acceptable to all parties is more difficult that I can imagine, but I do not understand how our elected officials can call it a day without doing whatever it takes to pass a spending plan that keeps Illinois citizens safe and growing in their personhood. It is imperative that we continue to contact our legislators and the governor’s office to just DO THE RIGHT THING!! Thank goodness for all the wonderful people and groups that you will read about in this month’s newsletter like the volunteers and staff of Second Chance Thrift Shoppe, the leaders and volunteers of the Adopt-a-Home Program, and the generous donors of furniture, technology, and experiences for those we serve. As always, it has been the generosity, compassion, and dedication of our families, friends, staff, and sponsors that have been the strength of this agency, and has allowed us to uphold our mission of doing whatever it takes to improve the lives of persons with developmental disabilities.
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY NEW FACES AT GARDEN CENTER
Joanne
Stienz
Joanne Stienz Joanne joined Garden Center as a CILA Administrator in April to oversee the Cicero, Keeler, Neenah, and Oak Lawn homes. She comes to us from Anixter Center where she was the Director of Residential Services. Joanne grew up in Oak Lawn and lives in Midlothian with her husband and two sons. She loves scrap-booking, camping with her family and is the Committee Chair of her son’s Boy Scout Troupe. What she loves most about Garden Center so far? “Everyone is so friendly - consumers, staff... everyone!”
Amy Mohr This week, Amy joined Second Chance Thrift Shoppe as the new Manager of Retail Sales. While Bonnie & Ron transition into retirement, they will be showing her the ropes at the Shoppe. Amy has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with experience serving people with disabilities and has also worked retail sales for several years. Amy was drawn to Second Chance by the perfect opportunity to merge those two skill sets. Amy grew up in Crete and now Amy M lives in Brookfield. She enjoys singing on her church’s Worship Team and ohr shopping at thrift stores! Amy is excited to get to work at Second Chance saying, “Everyone is super welcoming and nice. You can tell they love what they do!” W E L C O M E TO G A R D E N C E N T E R !
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SURVEY! Last month, surveyors from the Department of Human Services performed an annual DT survey at our Day Program locations as well as an on-site assessment of all of Garden Center programs. The on-site assessment is a new type of survey to assess agencies’ preparedness for upcoming changes to federal regulations. These changes will help ensure consumers have as much choice and independence as possible. Garden Center has implemented many changes over recent years that have put us ahead of the curve with regard to these new regulations. The surveyors were impressed with what we had accomplished thus far and we will continue to work toward meeting all of the new regulations before they are implemented in Spring of 2019. We are so proud to have our entire team of employees recognized for their ongoing effort to provide amazing services!
G C S
B U S I N E S S
C O R N E R
GCS’s Micro-Business featured product for June is: SILK SCREENED MARKET BAGS ONLY $22
Visit our website to see more styles Order online GardenCenterServices.org/shop.html or at the Kedzie or State buildings 10444 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank Oak Lawn Farmers Market Wednesdays 7am-1pm
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Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
Silk Screened Market Bag
GCS’S ADOPT-A-HOME PROGRAM UPDATE Garden Center’s Adopt-a-Home program is making a significant difference in the lives of those we support. This past month, The Knights of Columbus #14553 worked with Jenny Wojick, to do yard clean-up and made plans to lay a path for people who use wheelchairs to access the Oak Lawn home’s back yard. The Coleman Adopt-a-home family worked on landscaping the front and volunteers co mpleted yard wor d an back yards of the Lorel home. Pat Malloy, and t Pa r k at Lorel he ith her brot ICF Kathy poses w e several volunteers completed much needed th ed int pa rs who several voluntee painting at the Burbank ICF. Andrew Vanderbilt and family renovated the back garden of our Kedzie location making it a wonderful and relaxing retreat for break time. Follow us on Follow us on site maintenance would With the state’s current fiscal situation, this kind of essential be impossible without the support of our Adopt-a-Home volunteers. We cannot thank the project leaders and volunteers enough for their generous donation of time and talent. Upcoming site projects include a kitchen renovation at Moody in July and a new roof for the Lorel home. If you would like to adopt one of Garden Center’s Spruced up garden area at Kedzie sites or would like to volunteer your general or trade skills to support an upcoming project, please contact Bob Wegner at 815-600-0855 or wegrf@yahoo.com. Newcastle Park Burbank, IL
Newcastle Park Burbank, IL
SHOW SOME LOVE TO OUR 5K SPONSORS WHEN YOU SHOP! SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH 2016 at 8:30AM
Follow us on
SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH 2016 at 8:30AM
Follow us on
HALLBERG- VALEK Allstate Agency Newcastle Park Burbank, IL SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH 2016 at 8:30AM
Friends of Mayor Klein Vita Coco Burbank Police Dept. PepsiCo Friends of Bill Cunningham Whittingham Meats Beverly Ridge Funeral Home Quaker Oats Friends of Fran Hurley Dr. Albovias Senior Eye Associates Frito Lay
Mark your calendar...
CHFS Coopers Burbank Park District Ramar Supply Knights of Columbus Geo’s Gyros O’Hara & Friends Salon
Community Bulletin Board
SEP. 17TH 10:30am to Noon
at State Road Program
SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH 2016 at 8:30AM
RACE DAY & PARKING INFO on the GCS website now
GCS’s Needs a Covered Porch Swing for our Lorel Home The ladies who live in our Lorel home would love to have a covered porch swing to enjoy now that the weather has finally warmed up!
SAVE THE DATE! FAMILY & FRIENDS FORUM
Newcastle Park Burbank, IL
n Crowe o D u o y k n Tha or donating f ne Theater u Dr ryTLaickets!
If you would like to purchase a swing or donate money toward its purchase, please contact:
Cindy Haworth 773-941-4151 Ext. 213
chaworth@gardencenterservices.org
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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 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
The Sunny Striders are ready for the Super Sunny 5k. Are you?
Eddie shows off his birthday cupcakes
Pat, Don & Ken enjoy a day at the ballpark
Ron, Bonnie, Amy & Gerry at the Thrift
Joan Strainis Representative Fran Hurley Dave Rauen Tom Beemesterboer
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.
MAY FAMILY & FRIENDS FORUM Thank you to everyone who attended our Family & Friends Forum meeting last month. Lynn Rivero, an Independent Service Coordination Agent with South Suburban Access, discussed the state’s Prioritization for Urgency or Need for Services (PUNS) Database and Jennifer Georgis, GCS Director of Development, shared information on Special Needs Trusts with attendees. We had a great dialog about issues facing the agency and received valuable input from the group. We are already looking forward to our next forum FAMILY & FRIENDS FORUM meeting. Be sure to mark your calendars! If you have a particular topic you would like to learn about at an upcoming meeting, please contact Jennifer Georgis at jgeorgis@ gardencenterservices.org or by phone at 773-941-4151 Ext 218.
SEPTEMBER 17th 10:30am to noon State Road Program