MARCH
2013
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Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
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The View From My Chair
ST. PATRICK’s DA PPY Y HA !
ST. PATRICK’s DA PPY Y HA
A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
artists have partnered with professionals from the American Institute of Floral Designers to present an interpretive exhibit of master works of art. Come and enjoy an early taste of spring by visiting the Garden Gallery and Studio’s booth, #505. For ticket information visit www.chicagoflower.com.
Paul & 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
Springtime in Chicago is an amazing period of growth and new beginnings as the outside world begins to blossom and burst forth. This spring, Garden Center Services is also sprouting exciting new opportunities that we hope will continue to improve the lives of the individuals we support. In just a few short days, four of our artists from the Garden Gallery and Studio will inspire visitors that visit the 2013 Chicago Flower and Garden Show, “The Art of Gardening”. Our
“Spring is also the perfect time for me to announce that Garden Center Services is purchasing a new house that will become home for six women. ” Spring is also the perfect time for me to announce that Garden Center Services is purchasing a new house that will become home for six women. You can learn more about the new home on page 3 of the Leaflet. If your family, or another family you know, is at the point of considering having their loved one move into their own residential setting, please contact Cindy Haworth, Director of Operations, at 815-263-7419, to discuss this possibility.
We are busy working on exciting new changes within the day programs as well. Sheryl Kincincas, Director of Day Program Services, along with the staff that oversee the sites, Kim O’brien, Sarah Galvin, and Beth Kopf, are striving to improve our day training curriculum by offering our participants increased choices through enhanced adaptive technology, expanded vocational & volunteer opportunities, greater exposure to the expressive arts, and a more inviting environment. Be aware that March is recognized as Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Awareness month. You can celebrate it by participating in one of the agency’s upcoming events, volunteering at one of our program sites, bringing in new work for our businesses, or connecting us to new friends. For information on any of these opportunities, please contact Jennifer Georgis at 773-941-4151 ext. 218.
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY SPOTLIGHT Sylvia joined the Garden Center family in August last year when she started the Community Crew at Kedzie. She kept the group busy with volunteer activities from delivering Meals on Wheels to caring for animals at the local shelter. This January, when a Team Lead position became available at the Austin house, Sylvia was ready for the challenge. At Austin, Sylvia handles scheduling, plans menus, shops for groceries, shovels snow and just about any other job you can imagine. What does she think of her new position? “I love it! Love it! The house is great...great guys who live here...great staff...it is a pleasure to be here.”
Few people know that Sylvia has an alter ego, Pickles the clown. Sylvia has clowned for several years in local circuses and for annual International Clown Week. Although Sylvia’s new job keeps her pretty busy, she will be clowning around this Sunday when she marches, as Pickles, in the Tinley Irish Day Parade with Garden Gallery & Studio. Hope you can make it out to see Pickles in action!
ski
niew s i W via
Syl
Sylvia’s alter-ego, Pickles
Annie has lived in the Berwyn home for over 20 years. She is a glass-is-half-full-sort-of gal frequently saying, “I am having a good day!” and “I love everybody!”. Annie attends Garden Center’s day program in Burbank where she enjoys puzzles, playing the xylophone and keyboard with our music instructor, and making sure she gets to every dance and party she can. Annie is Italian and LOVES her pasta. Her brother visits every Sunday and makes sure to bring her favorite mostaccioli with him when he comes. Another thing Annie loves is to hear others whistle. She will often ask friends to whistle something for her and is fond of saying, “I wish I could go whistling down Dixie Lane!” Annie is also a pretty good arm wrestler and enjoys taking staff on for a match now and then. But whatever she is up to, everyone who knows Annie agrees, she has a gift for making people smile and laugh. We think that is a pretty great gift!
G C S
B U S I N E S S
Annie
Pertu
cci
C O R N E R
GCS Works! provides finishing services including gluing, tying, folding, labeling, collating, stamping, inserting, sealing, product attachment, packing, assembly of kits/bags, information packets/folders and more! GCS Works! completes projects for various companies including Chicago Office Products, Burger King, Chicago Metallic Corporation, and Val-A Chicago.
Elizabeth Etten 708-636-0054 eEtten@GardenCenterServices.org
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Call us today and see what GCS Works! can do for your business.
Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
Frank assembles ceiling installation parts for Chicago Metallic Corporation
needs list
Garden Center Residents on the Move As a result of the Ligis Consent Decree, people living in ICF-DDs who want to move into smaller community settings now have the opportunity to
For more information on the L igis C onsent De cre e, v isit w w w . d h s . s t a t e . i l . u s
do just that. A group of five people living with Garden Center
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Computers
have decided to take advantage of this amazing opportunity.
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Vacuum sweepers
dream come true, has been working with Abide in Me, a
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Books
nonprofit dedicated to supporting people with developmental
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Event tickets
disabilities, to raise money for the home. Garden Center is proud
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Puzzles
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Games
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Art/Craft supplies
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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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G a r d e n i n g supplies
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Storage bins
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Storage cabinets
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Electric Stove
Celebrate Me Home!, a project set up to make this group’s
to share that we have taken some big steps toward reaching this goal. In February, Garden Center’s Board of Directors officially voted on the purchase of a community home for the group. And just over one week ago Garden Center put a bid on a beautiful house in Oak Lawn.
Amy & Jamee are two of the women who will move into the new home
We are grateful for the support of Abide in Me and Celebrate Me Home! in helping Garden Center bring this dream to life for those we support. Stay tuned to the Garden Center Facebook page and newsletter for updates!
GCS Board Elections Garden Center Services is pleased to announce the results of the 2013 Board of Directors election: Doug Combs and John Kunkes were both re-elected to positions on the Board, and will be joined by the board’s newest member, Sean O’Shea. Sean is a Wealth Management Consultant with Hallberg Financial in Oak Brook, and brings his experience of working in the financial services industry to the Board of Directors. Sean is a strong supporter of Garden Center Services helping to generate great interest in our programs and business enterprises. Sean recently helped form an alumni network for Marist High School, and this dynamic group is organizing this year’s Potting Party. In announcing the election results, Executive Director Gerry Beagles said “We are grateful to each of the candidates for ‘throwing his hat into the ring,’ and for offering to serve Garden Center Services on its Board. Participation and engagement are the cornerstones of this organization. Garden Center Services could not exist without the tireless work of its volunteer Board of Directors. I extend a warm welcome to our newest board member, Sean O’Shea and thank our departing board member, Linda Stearns, for all her work over the past number of years.”
Mark your calendar...
CHICAGO FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW March 9th-March 17th at Navy Pier Chicago - visit Garden Gallery in booth #505
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SUPER SALE Sunday, March 10th 12pm to 4pm at Second Chance Thrift Shoppe - 44 Stephen Street, Lemont
TINLEY PARK IRISH PARADE Sunday, March 10th 2pm on Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park - stop in Garden Gallery & Studio!
Our Booth# has changed to 505
Visit us at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show! Garden Gallery & Studio will have a booth March 9th through 17th in the annual Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier. Visit us at Booth 505!
3rd ANNUAL GCS POTTING PARTY Friday, April 5th 7pm to 12am at Bourbon Street - 3359 W. 115th Street Merrionette Park
FIRST FRIDAY AT THE GALLERY Friday, April 5th 7pm to 9pm at Garden Gallery & Studio - 17459 S. Oak Park Avenue, Tinley
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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
Video shoo t for the Internationa l Down Syn drome Coal ition
Treasurer
R. Pat Ballis
Secretary
Annmarie Caulfield
Members:
John J. Kunkes
of .man Ian.. hats...
many
Sean O’Shea Linda Sherwood Sharon Duncan Jenny Wojcik
Sal
Tim and Tim
tible ut a conver usty try o R d an b o B
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.
Andy, Janet & Christine bus y at Crochet Club
st rol at Polish Fe Elvis serenades Ca
Show Auto e h t e at t tim Grea
Rola ndo, Kim
Sophie with her painting for the Chicago Flower Show
& Li z ha ving fun at
Stat e