MARCH
2014
T
Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Volunteers Jack & Morgan with Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Page 2 GCS EVENTS Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
March is an important month here at Garden Center Services because we can finally welcome the promise of spring after a very long, brutal winter, but also because as a community we recognize and celebrate Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Awareness month. I’m not sure which to focus more on; the strides that have been made with regard to individuals with disabilities having the right to live, learn, work and play as valued members of their communities, or the continual challenge we face each day of having the necessary resources and financing to provide the quality services our persons deserve. We have already begun working with the disability
associations we are members of to lobby the Illinois legislature to adequately fund the services that as a state we should be providing our most marginalized citizens. But as you know from the last eight years, our fiscal support from the state agencies has either been cut or remained the same, both of which puts us in the situation of losing ground!
“When you have a disability, knowing that you are not defined by it is the sweetest feeling.”
“In My Dreams I Dance”, Anne Wafula Strike
This is why as you read this month’s Leaflet, you will find so much info on the events, the businesses, the raffles, all the efforts that are made to bring in the additional revenue needed to meet the often simple requests made by the individuals we serve. Just this morning, Rebecca was asking me for any info I had on money that might assist with the costs of making her bathroom at home more accessible; Steven, as he was showing me this really awesome cookbook, would
like to be involved in creating and sharing some of the dishes he was finding; and Krista, who loves rockin’ out in her wheelchair, would love to go to a live, outdoor concert this summer. It is our goal to make these things happen, and to provide all of you reading this newsletter the opportunity to enhance your own lives by partnering with us in any way you can in this magnificent, decent endeavor! Our Board of Directors elections were held on February 20th, and I think it’s so fitting that we introduce our two new board members during the month celebrating Disabilities Awareness. Mary Beth Herr and George Sterba were elected to the Board at last week’s Membership meeting. Information on both of them can be found in last month’s newsletter. I’m pleased that they are joining a group of individuals that commit their time and energy to provide support, guidance, and connection in ways that truly help meet Garden Center’s mission. Be kind to yourself and others,