THIS MONTH’S ISSUE The View From My Chair
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Garden Center Family Spotlight
02
Amazing Year for GCS Artists
03
Around GCS
04
THE LEAFLET ISSUE NOV YEAR 2011
The View From My Chair a message from our Executive director
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.
As many of you already know, this past in the services available to persons with weekend Garden Center Services lost a developmental disabilities and their access parent that was instrumental in the founding to what our communities offer, there are still of our organization, and who for over miles to go for our consumers to fully realize 50 years was a staunch supporter and and experience their rights to engaged and advocate for her son, for all meaningful lives. the individuals we serve, and I believe the strong for the agency she loved so and ...agencies like ours cooperation much. Mrs. Dorothy Cyga, communication between wouldn’t exist if it along with her husband the agency’ staff and Steve, collaborated with a families of those wasn’t for the tireless the small group of other parents we serve is one of the that had young children greatest strengths of our asking, demanding, with disabilities in the mid agency, and what helps to 1950s, to establish a setting and not settling carried distinguish us from other that would provide care and service providers. Taking activities throughout the out by so many of our on the responsibility of week. At a small, donated caring for and protecting families. classroom above the your loved ones at either bus garage at Revis High the day program or in our School, the foundation was laid for what homes, is something we take very seriously would become the Garden Center Services and are committed to. Though there may be that today supports over 140 adults with times we see things differently, I have no developmental disabilities in our two day and doubt that we all have the best interests of multiple residential programs. our consumers at heart.
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It is a deeply accurate statement that agencies like ours, and the programs we provide, wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the tireless asking, demanding, and not settling carried out by so many of our families. Though we have made positive strides
This is no time to let up on our advocacy efforts. Especially given we’re located in the state of Illinois, we must continue the good fight on behalf of equal rights and adequate funding for persons with developmental disabilities. Let’s make Dorothy proud! A 5 0 1 ( c ) ( 3 ) N on p ro fit or gani z at ion
Garden Center Family Spotlight Lisa joined the Garden Center family this past summer. She loves music and says one of her favorite things about coming to Garden Center is music class. Lisa takes piano lessons with Garden Center’s “music lady”, Stephanie Burrow and always makes time in her schedule for the weekly sign-a-long group too. Lisa has an eclectic taste in music, listening to bands from Pitbull to Katie Perry. She also likes to keep up-to-date on her favorite movie star, Johnny Depp.
LISA ATTON
In her group, Lisa is known for being a hard worker. Her favorite job is folding mail pieces for Garden Center’s Print Shop. Lisa says she loves to get her paycheck and head out shopping! Friends says Lisa is “friendly, sweet, and a nice girl”. Lisa is also known for her great sense of humor and for playing practical jokes. Jackie, who works in Lisa’s room, says one of Lisa’s favorite jokes when she heads out for the day, is to say “Have a good weekend!” leaving everyone wondering if it really is the weekend already. Thanks for keeping us on our toes Lisa!
Lori recently celebrated her third year with Garden Center. In addition to providing learning opportunities for her group of eight at the main building, Lori writes our monthly staff newsletter and heads up our ink cartridge and small electronics recycling program through Think Recycle. One of Lori’s favorite things at Garden Center is taking her group out in the community. Last month they visited Odyssey Fun Farm where they picked pumpkins, checked out the corn maze and watched the pig races.
LORI JAEGER
In her free time, Lori enjoys crocheting and also likes to make personalized greeting cards. Lori says she loves her job because of, “the great people I get to work with... the consumers, the staff, and administration are awesome. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else!”
GCS BULLETIN BOARD nual GCS 55th An ow h S n Fashio
Date: Nov. 6th Time: 12 - 4pm ree hotel in Alsip, IL blet Location: Dou
d fun, food an Join us for ter’s en C n arde fashion at G Event! w ho S hion Annual Fas
CARSON’s COMMUNITY DAYS
Support Garden Center by pur chasing Carson’s Coupon Books. 100% goes to Garden Cen ter and you get fantastic discounts for your holi day shopping! If you have an item to donate,
please email Anne McFerron at Purchase books from GCS volu nteers at Carson’s in Chicago Ridge at the followin amcferron@gardencenterservices.org g dates and times:
Friday, November 4th 10:00 am Noon Monday, November 7th 10:00 am - Noo
n
or contact Michele Hula to make arrangements to purchase a coupon book at Garden Center (708) 398-6506.
An Amazing Year for Garden Artists! It has been a busy year for Garden Gallery & Studio and its artists. Over the past year the studio has grown from a handful of people painting for fun to a group of 45 artists who create and sell their imaginative works. At the end of 2010, Garden Center received a generous grant from The Chicago Community Trust to help us further our dream of moving the gallery and studio to its own location in our building in Tinley Park. To accommodate the growing number of artists during the transition, the studio moved to the staff break room at the main building. Gerry Beagles, GCS Executive Director, collaborated with the Village of Tinley Park and local architects to work out what needed to be done to meet village codes and make the studio/gallery a useful, working space. Beagles also worked with local nonprofit business advocates to further develop the studio/ gallery’s business plan. In April, Starbucks began showcasing our art in their stores. Garden Center Artist’s works now hang in seven Starbucks locations with plans to expand to more locations in the future. In May, Garden Center Artists entered the Tinley Park Benches on the Avenue competition where their bench Pie Eating Contest was on display along with Beth Kopf’s, Garden Center’s Resident Artist, award winning bench, Land of the Free. In July, we opened our online gallery allowing patrons to view and purchase artwork online at www. gardencenterservices.org/artgallery.htm. This past September we added ceramics as an option for artists with the support of volunteer Linda Berk, an experienced ceramics instructor. We also started an online campaign this September to raise awareness and funds for the project on IndieGOGO at www.indiegogo. com/Garden-Studio-Gallery. Last month, Garden Center artists were featured for the second year in Lewis University Caterpillar Gallery’s Local Artist Series. Paul Franklin and Karen McGhee, Garden Center Artists, and Kopf spoke at a reception for the event. Franklin and McGhee were among four artists who had artwork purchased from the show. Last week, ABC 7’s Karen Meyer visited Garden Center for a feature on Garden Center Services and the proposed Garden Gallery & Studio Project. The story will air on ABC’s Sunday Morning News program sometime in December.
Electronic Keyboards Pool table
Picnic tables Zoo passes Garden Center Artists work in their temporary studio while the Tinley Park Studio/Gallery is renovated
Event tickets New dishes
Flat screen TV Bookshelf
Vacuum & attachments New gardening tools Laptop computers Craft supplies Garden Center Artist’s works hang in seven Starbucks stores
Wall art
Frames for artwork Blank canvases
X-Box & dance games Living room set Xbox Kinect
Gym dues/passes Club dues Paul and Karen pose with Beth by their works at the Caterpillar Gallery Show
Gerry and Beth with ABC7’s Karen Meyers and her crew before the October interview
We are grateful to the supporters of this project and recognize the amazing impact it has had on all involved. As we reflect on the numerous accomplishments of our artists this past year, we look forward to what is to come. With your continued support, we can help even more of the individuals Garden Center serves, as well as other individuals with developmental disabilities in our community, to express themselves through the universal language of art.
www.gardencenterservices.org/artgallery.htm
Garden Center’s NEEDS List
www.indiegogo.com/Garden-Studio-Gallery
If you have an item to donate, please email Anne McFerron at amcferron@gardencenterservices.org
AROUND GCS Where we grow
dignity and
independence phone 708.636.0054 email info@gardencenterservices.org web www.gardencenterservices.org
Board of Directors President
Barbara Clarke
1st Vice President
Scott Hardek
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Treasurer
R. Pat Ballis
Members:
John J. Kunkes
Dejuan has some fun at Haunted Trails
Frances Mientus Linda Stearns Daniel Wenzler Linda Sherwood
Tim A., Katie & Tim L. smile for the camera
Nancy & Jen spend the day at The Art Institute
TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!! Impo rt ant Date s! Novembe r 6t h
Sh 55th Annual Fashion
ow
h November 4t h & 7t Bo ok s for GCS Bu y Carson’s Coupon
DETAIL S INSIDE THIS ISSUE!
HELP GARDEN CENTER’S Garden Studio & Gallery & YOU CAN WIN AN iPAD2! Visit www.indiegogo.com/GardenStudio-Gallery for details!
Contest ends Nov. 10th Karen at the Sox Game
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HAVE SOME EXTRA HOLIDAY DECORATIONS LYING AROUND? We are looking for gently used Christmas decorations to decorate our homes and program buildings inside and out. Drop off decorations at: Garden Center’s Board Room 8333 S. Austin Avenue, Burbank November 28th between 8:30am-4:00pm.
Thank You!
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE
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SUPER SALE IS NOVEMBER 13th 12pm-4pm HALF OFF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE! 44 Stephen Street Lemont, IL