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Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
the last 40 years, and absurdly think that our consumers are doing well. But I know in my heart that this is a thought born of weariness and settling.
Michael & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Page 2 GCS GETS EVEN GREENER Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
The challenges and stress brought on by being a provider of services & supports to persons with intellectual and physical disabilities in the state of Illinois is exacerbated by knowing real life situations in other states where individuals are supplied the types and amount of assistance they require to live full, engaged lives in the community, and wanting so much to help our participants to have similar experiences. There are times when I’m tired or discouraged by the frequent struggle of getting others to buy into the vision of what life could be like for those we serve and I will mull over the changes I’ve seen in Illinois over
“One of best perks of working in this field has been meeting many exceptional people, who were just ordinary people that cared.” Are individuals better off than they were 40 years ago? Sure, but so many have untapped potential that require greater resources to expose than our state will commit to. Every passing day I have a growing sense of urgency and find myself asking, “Are we doing everything we can to improve the quality of life for those we serve”? One of best perks of working in this field has been meeting many exceptional people, who were just ordinary people that cared. They wanted to act, to do something, to make
life better for persons with developmental disabilities – and they have! But there is so much more to be done. As you look at your life and sense a movement of gratitude for any of the goodness you experience, and are convicted to find ways to pay it forward, please consider helping us in our mission of supporting adults with disabilities. I’m not just referring to monetary donations here. We can also benefit from your volunteerism, from supporting our businesses like the Thrift Shoppe & the Art Gallery, from making your friends and business associates aware of what we’re trying to achieve. And we can certainly benefit from you daily sending us your positive thoughts and blessings.
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY GET TO KNOW GARDEN CENTER’S NURSING TEAM The week of May 6th through May 12th is National Nurses week. We wanted to take a moment to recognize Garden Center Services’ amazing nursing team. Teresa Viebach, RN and GCS Director of Nursing, started at Garden Center part-time in 2003 to implement DHS IL Rule 116 which enabled providers to teach direct support staff to pass medication. Terry not only trains and certifies Garden Center staff how to administer medications, but in her role as one of only five Master Nurse Trainers in the State of Illinois, she also trains nurses across the state how to train and certify their staff as well. Terry joined Garden Center fulltime as our Director of Nursing in 2006. She also serves on the Board of the Northern Illinois Developmental Disabilities Nursing Association and for the past two years was a member of a grant-funded coalition of providers that assessed health care of people with disabilities in our area that created a health care directory of local providers the group rated highly in a variety of areas including doctor/ patient communication, services and follow-up.
Terry Viebach
Pamela Kennedy LPN started with Garden Center in 2011. Pam provides much of Garden Center’s general health care. She conducts nursing assessments, takes vital signs and performs exams and well-checks for those we support. Pam also trains Garden Center staff on implementing diets, oversees lab work, and writes requisitions for needed services. Pam teaches Garden Center’s Basic Health and Safety course for new Garden Center staff and works with staff in the homes providing guidance for health-related topics like healthy cooking and exercise.
Pam Kennedy
Andrea Cochran, Medical Services Coordinator, is an essential part of the Garden Center Services nursing team. She is responsible for managing the many doctor’s appointments for those we serve. Andrea creates a medical packet for each appointment including recent physician’s orders, labs and other relevant information the doctor may need. She attends many of the appointments herself and does the staff scheduling for the rest. One of Andrea’s many amazing skills is her ability to build strong relationships with the doctor offices’ staff and the doctors themselves. These relationships have many times helped those we serve get in for last minute appointments that would likely not have been possible otherwise.
Garden Center is fortunate to have such an amazing nursing team!
G C S
B U S I N E S S
Andrea Cochran
C O R N E R
BEAUTIFUL MOTHER’s DAY GIFTS Garden Gallery & Studio has what you need for your mom this Mother’s Day! From beautiful jewelry made from our artist’s original paintings to luxurious hand-painted silk scarves she will love. Prices range from $15 to $25. Garden Gallery & Studio 17459 S. Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park, IL 708-407-8666
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Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
Jewelry made from original paintings
Jewelry made from original paintings Beautiful handpainted silk scarves
GARDEN CENTER GETS EVEN GREENER! In March 2013, Garden Center embarked on a year-long project to increase energy efficiency at our Kedzie building. We partnered with the Illinois Facilities Fund (IFF), who conducted (and covered the cost of) an energy audit at the Kedzie location. IFF also managed the project. Their services were paid for by a grant through the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. The audit recommended three major projects for Garden Center: 1) Electricity Retrofit Project - to upgrade all lighting fixtures inside and outside the building to more energy efficient models, 2) Condenser Replacement Project - to replace our seven outdated HVAC condenser units with five more efficient models and 3) Efficiency Controls on Vending Machines Project - to add controls and sensors to our existing vending machines that enable lights to stay off when not in use and otherwise reduce the overall energy use of the machines without impacting performance. The Electricity Retrofit and Efficiency Controls on Vending Machines Projects were completed by Project Green in December 2013. Garden Center was able to pay for the project entirely through rebates from ComED and a grant through the Illinois Clean Energy Commission. We are projected to realize a 60% reduction in energy costs at the Kedzie site through these improvements.
One of the new energy efficient condensers paid for by a grant from UMCMG, Inc.
The Condenser Replacement Project was completed in April 2014 by Northern Weather Makers. This project was paid for by a grant from UMCMG, Inc., a charitable foundation dedicated to supporting the Mt. Greenwood community. We are projected to save 20% on our cooling costs for the building annually through this project. A special thank you to our Business and Fund Development Offices whose combined efforts allowed Garden Center to complete these cost-saving projects at no cost to the agency.
Super Sunny 5k & Walk ‘n Roll-a-Thon
Win a Fiat 500 Convertible TICKETS ON SALE NOW! $25 Each Chance
JUNE 7th 9am Newcastle Park in Burbank
Thanks to a generous donation from Bettenhausen Fiat in Tinley Park, GCS is raffling a car at the Super Sunny 5k and Walk ‘n Roll-a-Thon!
There is still time to sign up for our professionally timed 5k or the Walk ‘n Roll-a-Thon that follows the race. Stay for our cookout and enjoy raffles, dancing and fun!
Tickets may be purchased on our website, at the Gallery or at our State Street location.
Mark your calendar...
April 2014
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Visit www.gardencenterservices.org for more information
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More Dates! SUPER SUNNY 5k and WALK ‘n ROLL-a-THON JUNE 7th 9am Newcastle Park in Burbank
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Super Sale at Second Chance 12pm to 4pm
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GCS Closed Memorial Day
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First Friday at the Gallery 7pm to 9pm
Clothing is 1/2 price at Second Chance
Mothers’ Day
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Cinco de Mayo
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Growing dignity
Shop Second Chance’s Super Sale
and independence
Sunday, May 18th 12pm to 4pm 44 Stephen Street in Lemont
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
Daniel Wenzler
1st Vice President
Jenny Wojcik
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Treasurer
George Sterba
Secretary
Sharon Duncan
Members:
Annmarie Caulfield
Jamie visits the zoo
Mary Beth Herr John J. Kunkes Sean O’Shea Linda Sherwood
thday n his bir o s r a c some cks out Bob che
Get AMAZING DEALS on BEAUTIFUL GLASSWARE and COLLECTIBLES LIKE THIS EVERYDAY at SECOND CHANCE!
OUR MISSION Garden Center Services is committed to supporting and empowering persons with developmental disabilities through innovative and person-centered 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.
ABOUT GCS’ iGIVE PROGRAM We talk a lot about the iGive program at Garden Center, because it is such an easy way for our supporters to raise money for us without costing them an extra penny! If you shop online, please consider joining iGive. Just visit www.iGive.com and choose Garden Center as your charity of choice. Then every time you shop online, many of the online stores you shop at will donate a portion of your sale to us! Garden Center has raised over $700 so far with only 25 of our supporters having ever made a purchase through the program. Imagine what we could do if you joined!
This is just a few of the over 1300 stores who work with iGive. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Adobe Amazon.com Apple Store Bass Pro Shop Bed Bath and Beyond Cafe Press eBags Entertainment Books Guitar Center Holiday Inn Home Depot
Joann Fabrics Kohl’s LL Bean Lands’ End Macy’s Nordstrom Office Depot and Office Max Old Navy Oriental Trading Overstock.com Performance Bicycle
PetSmart and Petco Radio Shack REI Sears Sierra Trading Post Sirius XM Radio Staples Starbucks Toys R Us Vistaprint Walgreens