MAY
2016
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
many lives she had touched. There’s no doubt that Jo’s greatest accomplishment, and ongoing passion, was helping to found Garden Center Services, an agency that would provide care and support to her daughter Tina, and many other persons with developmental disabilities.
Gerry & Jo Lapp
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM Page 2 VOLUNTEERISM Page 3 FRIENDS OF GCS Page 4
I’m sure that as staff throughout the agency are assisting our individuals to get up and at ‘em this morning, the spirit of Jo Lapp is with them. And as we’re celebrating our Super Sunny 5K Walk & Roll-A-Thon on June 4th, her energy will be pushing us towards the finish line. Then certainly this November 6th, as we hold our 60th annual Fashion Show Luncheon, the grace and style that defined Mrs. Lapp will be experienced through the models as they stroll down the runway. Mrs. Josephine “Jo” Lapp, passed away on Sunday, April 24th, at her home. Just over a month ago, many of Jo’s family and friends came together to observe and rejoice in her 100th birthday, and to revel in the tenacity of her journey, and the
Her daughter Tina was born in 1946 with developmental disabilities at a time when many physicians were recommending institutionalization for children with such special needs. Of course Jo would have none of that, and several years later Jo and her husband, Dr. Bernard Lapp, with the help of several other couples, pulled together $5,000 of their own money to purchase the land on which the Garden Center stands to this day. From there it was a mix of private donations and contributions from fraternal organizations like the Lions’ Club, Sertoma, etc., that helped to build the original Garden Center School building. To her final days, Jo had ideas for a better Garden Center and was glad to share them with anyone who was willing to listen. We would not be here today without her enduring love and dedication.
Quite recently I had discussed with Jo her frustration and concern with the budget situation in Springfield, and the ongoing inadequate funding that agencies like ours receive. For all her tireless work and effort, Jo, and all you parents/ guardians/families, deserve better from our state legislators and Departments. I so wish Jo could have had more peace of mind as she realized she was heading toward her final days and not carried the burden of what would happen to her daughter, Tina. Look, call me naïve, even soft headed, but I continue to believe that Governor Rauner, Speaker Madigan, and the Illinois legislature would like to find a way that our great state would properly care for our most vulnerable citizens, but they obviously differ on how to make that happen. It is my hope that the story of Josephine Lapp, and her indomitable spirit, will find its’ way into the ears and hearts of our elected officials, and that they will move quickly to DO THE RIGHT THING!
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM UPDATE Great things are happening in GCS’s Employment Program! Last fall, participants in the new employment training and placement service began job readiness classes that address essential workplace topics including professionalism, communication, teamwork, and more. This past March, you may remember, Jelani began work stocking shelves for Southtown Health Foods at s d o o 2100 95th street in F n Health w o t h t u Beverly. After only So Karen Jelani at at Coo a month of on-site pers H ot Dog support through the program, s Jelani is working his shifts almost entirely on his own. Just last week, Karen started working at Cooper’s Hot Dogs located at 5403 W. 79th Street in Burbank. She empties the garbage cans, washes the windows and cleans up in the lobby. When asked about her new job she says, “It’s good! I love having a job!”. Please help us show our appreciation to these great businesses by patronizing their shops and letting them know how much you value their partnership with Garden Center. If you know of a business that is looking to hire dedicated, enthusiastic employees for their team, please contact Tammy Ingraffia at 708-398-6578 or tingraffia@gardencenterservices.org. If you know of businesses looking for outside support with tasks including small item assembly, envelope stuffing, printing, or similar jobs, please contact Jacqueline Opyt at 708-398-6538 or jopyt@ gardencenterservices.org.
G C S
B U S I N E S S
C O R N E R
GCS’s Micro-Business featured product for May is: Hand-Dyed Silk Burnout Scarves (14x72in) perfect for Mother’s Day! ONLY $30
Visit our website to see our selection and get a FREE original artwork Mother’s Day Card with your order Order online GardenCenterServices.org/shop.html or at the Kedzie or State buildings 10444 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank
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Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
Hand-Dyed Silk Burnout Scarves
MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH VOLUNTEERING Garden Center has a long history of volunteerism in our local communities. Our staff support several people who volunteer individually as well as through the Community Crew, a Garden Center group dedicated to volunteering at multiple charities including Meals on Wheels, the Oak Lawn Children’s Museum, and Hansen Center Farm, to name a few. These experiences provide the chance to give back, but also provide invaluable real-world opportunities to develop skills essential for getting and keeping a job, create real and meaningful ys at relationships with community members and w cleaning to re C ty ni u m Com um provide challenges to the incorrect, but sometimes hildren’s Muse C n deeply held, beliefs about what people with aw L ak O the intellectual and physical disabilities have to offer. Garden Center is looking for additional volunteer opportunities in the Mary is a Recreatio n Volunteer various communities where our programs operate. at Christ Hospital
If you are aware of any places where we could make a difference, please contact Sheryl Kincinas at 708-398-6598 or skincinas@gardencenterservices.org.
Saturday, June 4th
Newcastle Park in Burbank
5k Registration at
SuperSunny5k.com GCS FRIENDS & FAMILY FORUM MAY 14th
10:30am - noon State Road Program 8333 S. Austin in Burbank
Mark your calendar...
Community Bulletin Board
As a part of Garden Center’s My Wish Program, each person GCS serves chooses something special they would like to do during the year. This year, several people have chosen to attend a theater production.
FAMILY & FRIENDS FORUM MAY 14th 10:30am to Noon
at State Road Program
GCS Day Programs
CLOSED
Memorial Day
May 30th
GCS’s Needs Drury Lane Theater Tickets
Thank you nn Ouellette A te & Mary Tablets to our t lle e u O im J g DigiLand for donatin e Street Program! Stat
If you would like to purchase tickets or donate money toward their purchase, please contact:
Cindy Haworth 773-941-4151 Ext. 213
chaworth@gardencenterservices.org
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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
Veronica & Kathy 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
BOB HALL MEMORIAL MATCHING GRANT Thank you to everyone who donated.
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The Community Crew making decorated bottles for a Evergreen Park District Library event
$5,000
Representative Fran Hurley Dave Rauen Tom Beemesterboer
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.
You helped us shatter our goal and raised much needed funds for programs at Garden Center Services !
$15,000 TOTAL received including Matching Monies
Lucian