MAY/JUN
2017
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gerry & Don
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 UPCOMING EVENTS Page 2 GCS ON PBS Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
Yesterday, May 2nd, I celebrated my fourteenth year anniversary with Garden Center Services. Before coming to the agency I had some limited engagement with the program in my position with the Illinois Department of Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities. Through those brief encounters I had such limited insight into the long, dedicated struggle that the families and persons with developmental disabilities from this community had already made to establish a safe haven of learning and friendship building for themselves. I did not realize how deeply my own heart and life would be affected by the incredible courage and kindness I have experienced during my years here, and how our stories are now forever intertwined.
That May, the agency was serving approximately 67 individuals in the agency’s one day program, the Burbank ICF/DD, and the Lorel and Moody CILAs. At that time the number of full-time staff was in the mid-forties. It’s incredible to me that over these last fourteen years the agency has expanded to provide services in two day programs, the Burbank ICF/DD, 11 Community Integrated Living Arrangements, and a couple
“Words are not sufficient to express my gratitude for this opportunity and for the thoughtful encouragement you have provided” of in-home intermittent CILAs. We have developed the fantastic growARTS program, some innovative microbusinesses, and a Community Employment initiative that is working to access competitive jobs. The agency is now supporting 150 persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and employs 130 staff. It’s unbelievable and inspiring to me that this has
occurred during a period of stagnant financial growth in our state which has led to a nine-year period in which we have not received a cost of doing business increase from our state funders. It has only been through the wonderfully supportive, collaborative connections with our families, friends, business partners, fraternal organizations, and foundation donors that we have been able to keep moving forward. This support allowed us to establish the finest group of staff anywhere that are thoroughly committed to the values and philosophy that respect the persons we serve, and put them at the center of determining what they need from us. It is an honor to represent your agency and to work on behalf of the most decent people on the planet. Words are not sufficient to express my gratitude for this opportunity and for the thoughtful encouragement you have provided. Please continue to help us out any way you can as we strive to improve the quality of life for the remarkable persons that attend Garden Center Services.
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
FUN & EASY WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED at GCS!
2017 SUPER SUNNY
SUPER SUNNY 5k & Walk ‘N Roll
5K
Garden Center’s SUPER SUNNY 5k & Walk ‘n Roll Event will be Saturday, June 3 at Newcastle Park. Families received fundraising packets in April showing this year’s amazing incentive prizes.
BENEFITING PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Funding generated by this event makes it possible for Garden Center to provide many of the extra services and programs that make our agency so unique.
SATURDAY
JUNE
8050 S. Newcastle Burbank, IL
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! We need you to make this event great! Please contact Sandra at 773-941-4151 Ext. 202 or sColeman@ GardenCenterServices.org to sign up.
2017 GCS FASHION SHOW
Sunday, Nov. 5th
The Fashion Show Committee is already hard at work planning the 2017 Fashion Show! This year’s event will be held at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park. We are excited about the new location and are busy collecting new items for raffle baskets.
Garden Center Services is
Going Places
Please bring your raffle donations to the Burbank or Kedzie program site; attention Sandi Coleman. Suggestions: small appliances, jewelry, spa products, gift cards, holiday decor, baking gadgets, gardening items, etc.
moving into our next 60 years
2017 GCS Fashion Show & Luncheon Silver Lake Country Club
For more info; Contact Sandra Coleman at 773-941-4151 ex. 202 or scoleman@GardenCenterServices.org
NEW LOCATION FOR 2017!!! Silver LakeSunday, CountryNov. Club 5th Garden Center Services is Center Services is 14700 S 82ndGarden Ave. in Orland Park
T H A N K YO U !
growARTS’ MICROBUSINESS & FINE ART
Going Places
Garden Center Artists and Artisans have been hard at work creating artwork and crafts to sell. This season you will find favorites like our hand-crafted and moving into into our oursoaps next 60 60 years years moving next candles in exciting new scents alongside some new, soon-to-be-favorites includ2017 GCS Fashion Show & Luncheon ing doggie bow ties and beautiful summer lanterns. Silver Lake Country Sunday, Nov. 5th Club
Shop our wares at these upcoming events!
sy tisans are bu growARTS arupcoming sales r fo preparing
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201
Dumke Dr. & 52nd Ave. in Oak Lawn
June Oak Lawn 7th Farmer’s Market
7am to 1pm
June growARTS 16th pop-up shop
1555 W. 7pm to Diversey in 10pm Lincoln Park
June Swap-O-Rama 21st
7am to 2pm
4350 W. 129th in Alsip
dog bow ties are only one of the new products growARTS is working on!
201 201
GCS’ growARTS PROGRAM TO BE FEATURED ON PBS NEWSHOUR Larisa Epatko, reporter-producer for PBS NewsHour, recently contacted Garden Center after reading an article written by a New York artist who was inspired by artwork she purchased from GCS’ art program. Epatko interviewed Megan Valesey, lead instructor for the fine arts program, and Gerry Beagles, Executive Director, for the PBS NewsHour’s Agents for Change series. The story will be published on the PBS website sometime in May. Watch our social media channels for more details.
Garden Center Program Participants Pioneer New Vocational Training Project This past March, over 25 hopeful GCS program participants interviewed for a 4-month training position with the Sunny Snack Shack, a place to buy healthy eats during the GCS coffee break AND GCS’s newest vocational training opportunity. Eight participants, four from each day training site, made the cut. Following four weeks of preparation, the Snack Shack officially opened at both GCS day locations at the end of last month.
Kedzie Crew
Employees of the Snack Shack are learning to take and fill orders, run a Square register, make change, as well as develop general customer service skills. “I love my job!”, says DeJuan at the Kedzie site. “I love packing the snacks and I am happy working here!”. Snack Shack interviews were held in March
Mark your calendar...
GCS Day Programs CLOSED Memorial Day MAY 29th
If all goes as planned following the four month trial, a new group of potential Snack Shack staff will be interviewing for training positions soon!
Community Bulletin Board
State Road Crew
WE NEED MOVIE TICKETS! If you have a movie ticket gift card you are unable to use or if you would like to purchase a theater gift card or donate money toward ticket purchase, please contact Cindy Haworth and help us make wonderful memories for those we serve. Garden Center’s preferred theater location is Marcus Theaters. Gift cards can be purchased on their website at www.MarcusTheatres.com
and other Movie trips ad Haworth e possible Cindy 773-941-4151 Ext. 213 d an outings ares m s et of tick chaworth@gardencenterservices.org by donations. Thank you! gift card
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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
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
break l taking a u a P & e Mik
Moody house celebrating Jeremiah’s new Snack Shack job!
Joan Strainis Representative Fran Hurley Dave Rauen Tom Beemsterboer
Ashley paints some pottery at Art Clay World in Oak Lawn
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.
Donna, Lisa & Mary enjoy a girls night out at Drury Lane Theater
George soaks up some ray s at Lake Katherine
e new Lorenzo at thmovie s ar Star W