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!