MARCH
2016
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Demarcus & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 JOINING THE WORKFORCE Page 2 ADOPT A HOME Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
I’m writing this Leaflet article on March 1st, which for a long time has been one of my favorite days of the year! For me it’s right up there with other major holidays like Christmas, Easter, and the Fourth of July. There’s such relief at having the cold, wintry months of December, January, and February behind us and sensing the wonderful hope that we’ll be surprised by a clump of purples crocuses, smiled upon by a perfectly opened daffodil, or warmed by an unseasonably balmy 50° day! But though I’m hopeful about seeing some progressive signs of Spring in the coming weeks, there’s certainly been no new developments regarding the budget standoff in the legislature, or the lack of a unified solution to caring for our state’s most vulnerable citizens.
I have no desire to vent over these dispiriting conditions yet again, but would rather mention with delight the pieces in this month’s Leaflet that discuss the myriad ways our agency, our dedicated staff, our awesome families & friends, and generous volunteers continually strive to improve the quality of life for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There’s a short article on our Adopt-A-Home initiative where supporters are leading the effort to improve the living and working environments of the persons we are committed to serve. Read Jelani’s story and how our Community Employment Program and neighborhood businesses are collaborating to offer real jobs to our participants. We mention the kind bequest of $8,000 that helps supplement the inadequate funding of our day and residential programs; the establishment of a matching grant by the Hall family, that will run through the month of April and honor our friend Bob who we miss dearly.
There are also brief references to the upcoming super sale at the Second Chance Thrift Shoppe and the next Super Sunny 5K & Walk n Rolla-Thon coming this June. I am so grateful for these tangible examples that demonstrate one of the fundamental values of this agency; Garden Center Services has always been and continues to be the steadfast organization it is due to the combined efforts of its’ families, friends, staff, and the individuals we support! We will always fight for adequate funding from the state of Illinois, but more and more I realize that our agency is truly a grass roots, social action network of caring, committed paid and unpaid individuals that are devoted to those persons needing our assistance because of their intellectual or developmental disability. Let’s all be on the lookout for signs of new growth.
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY JELANI JOINS THE WORKFORCE You will soon see a new face at Southtown Health Foods in Beverly. Jelani, a member of Garden Center’s new Employment Program, will start his first ever job at the store this March. Jelani has been attending job skills classes with GCS’s Community Employment Coordinator, Tammy Ingraffia since the program started ! is month h t b jo last fall. He was excited s his new t r a t s i n for his recent interview and Jela wanted to reassure his support staff, confidently saying, “I got this.” He was right. Jelani was hired on the spot. Tammy will support Jelani on the job until Tammy he becomes confident in his new role. We have a feeling she Employmen poses with one t Progra o m job s f the won’t be there long... he’s got this. kil
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If you are interested in learning more about Garden Center’s Employment Program or if you know of a business that might be interested in working with Garden Center to place employees, please contact Tammy Ingraffia at 708-398-6578 or tingraffia@gardencenterservices.org.
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BOB HALL MEMORIAL MATCHING GRANT STARTS in APRIL Bob Hall’s family has chosen to celebrate his birthday month by offering Garden Center an amazing opportunity. The Hall family has pledged to match every donation given to Garden Center through the month of April, up to $5,000! Keep an eye out for more information on how you can participate!
G C S
B U S I N E S S
Did You Know? Garden Center’s micro-businesses don’t just create their wares to sell at Christmas... you can buy great stuff any time of year! This month we are featuring our silk-screened T-Shirts with the original artwork of Jimmy C. $12 s - XL grey with black rhino or lion white with red rhino or lion Order on our website or purchase them at the Kedzie building 10444 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago
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Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
Screened T-Shirts
GCS’S ADOPT-A-HOME PROGRAM IS OFF TO A GREAT START! Bob and Kathy Wegner, the volunteer couple that generously committed to heading up Garden Center’s Adopt-a-Home Project, recently presented on the innovative program at our Family & Friends Forum. The vision of Adopt-aHome is to identify a “leader” for each of Garden Center Services’ settings, that would help facilitate volunteer efforts towards the completion of small and large home repairs, as well as the amassing of requested household items. It is also expected that the “Team Lead” family or group would enhance the social and entertainment experiences for the individuals that live in the home by creating some nice get-together events.
embers helping Abide in Me m at Kolin Since the Wegner’s presentation, a Team Lead has stepped Knights #14553 at Keeler forward for most of the Garden Center sites, but there are still a couple spots available. If you, or your church/service group would like to adopt a Garden Center location or if you would like to offer your help to an existing team leader, please contact Bob & Kathy Wegner at 815-600-0855 for more information.
“SMALL” BEQUEST MAKES A BIG IMPACT Recently, Garden Center Services was notified that the estate of an anonymous donor was making a bequest of $8,000 to our programs. Though this donation was simply 1% of the person’s estate, a donation of this size will make a big difference to those we support. Any time you’re meeting with your financial planner, please consider including Garden Center Services as one of the beneficiaries of your will. Including our agency in your planning, no matter the size of the gift, will go a long way toward the longterm stability of Garden Center programs and services. If you would like to learn more about Planned Giving at Garden Center, please contact Jennifer Georgis 773-941-4151 Ext. 218 or jGeorgis@GardenCenterServices.org.
Mark your calendar...
Community Bulletin Board
JULY
2014
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Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
When you sign up to receive THE LEAFLET online
by the referral agencies that require the person to take a number of assessments. The purpose of these assessments is to pinpoint those deficits in cognitive, physical, and lifeskill development that will
Nicole & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Page 2 GCS WALKS, ROLLS & RUNS Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
Looking forward to this coming weekend and all the 4th of July celebrations leads me to think about the term “independence” and the struggles we’ve all gone through, as individuals and as a country, to become the people we want to be, spending our precious lives doing what we want to do. I would say the overarching goal we have as an agency that provides services and supports to adults with intellectual and physical disabilities is getting to know each person well enough so that we can accurately identify what their hopes and aspirations are and then doing whatever we can to assist them in realizing this potential. Before individuals are “awarded” state funding so that they can attend our programs, they must be screened
“It is only by spending quality time with an individual, deeply listening to them, observing them, that one comes to grasp their aptitude and ambitions. ”
verify they meet the criteria of having a developmental disability. It seems to be such a “what’s broken” way of looking at human beings, and does not give proper emphasis to the unique presence and contribution that each person possesses. It is only by spending quality time with an individual, deeply listening to them, observing them, that one comes to grasp their aptitude and ambitions. In both our day and residential programs we are continually working to improve the experiences and exposure our consumers receive driven by the approach described above.
We so appreciate the input provided by the families about their loved ones, and also the insights contributed by our caring staff that spends so much of their day engaged with our consumers. As an agency, as we become more aware and sensitive to the hopes and possibilities that are within each person we support, we must strive to make those changes necessary that will give them better access to full lives of participation. As much as I wanted to mention independence in this article, I also wanted to stress the need and benefit of “interdependence”. It’s truly only through the acceptance and support of one another that we can really become our best selves. I often think that one of the greatest gifts bestowed on us by the persons we support at Garden Center Services is their innate understanding of this principle, and the enviable way they open themselves to receiving and providing kindness. Enjoy the newsletter, and have a great summer.
We need your help to cut postage costs! If you would like to continue to receive the GCS newsletter, please contact Sandi at scoleman@ gardencenterservices.org to receive your next issue via eMail.
GCS’s BMA Apartments need a patio set If you have a new or gently used patio set you’d like to donate or if you would like to purchase a set for the folks at BMA, please contact
Daylight Savings Time is
March 13th
SAVE A TREE ...AND GCS MONEY
Thank You ating this ad for don Florence Heining room set to our beautiful d oody Home! M
Cindy Haworth 773-941-4151 Ext. 213
chaworth@gardencenterservices.org
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Growing dignity
SECOND CHANCE SUPER SALE
and independence 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL 60459
SUNDAY March 13th
10444 S. Kedzie Chicago, IL 60655 phone 773-941-4151
12pm to 4pm
email info@gardencenterservices.org web www.GardenCenterServices.org
Beautiful furniture pieces now available!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 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 Beemesterboer
Great job Chris!
TAKE 1/2 OFF EVERYTHING STOREWIDE!
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OUR MISSION
Garden Center Services is committed to supporting and empowering persons with developmental disabilities Park through Burbank, ILand innovative UNE 4THperson-centered 2016 at 8:30AM 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.
Park Burbank, IL
UNE 4TH 2016 at 8:30AM
Party at Lombard house
Newcastle Park Burbank, IL SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH 2016 at 8:30AM
Bob, Chrissy & Ogi at the Lorel Kitchen Remodel Thank You dinner
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Newcastle Park Burbank, IL SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH 2016 at 8:30AM
5k REGISTRATION IS OPEN www.SuperSunny5k.com
Karen & Margaret