NOVEMBER
2014
T
Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Adam and Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE Page 2 GCS FASHION SHOW Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
It’s hard to believe that this month’s newsletter contains the agency’s holiday gift catalogue. The speed with which one month flows into another, one year flows into another, amazes and inspires me. It is true that as one grows older you develop an enhanced sense of the impermanence of things, and that there is a contracting window of opportunity to make the impact that one would aspire to. It is my hope that the upcoming holidays, celebrations of gratitude & giving, would flame the fire of urgency we experience regarding doing anything we can to lift up and encourage those individuals we see or know that have been
labeled and marginalized by our society. Obviously those persons that attend the programs offered by Garden Center Services are included in this group, and I know you share my conviction and sense of responsibility towards improving the quality of their life experiences. I know this because of the past activity of many of you reading this November Leaflet. I would be remiss if I did not sincerely thank you for all the support, both financially and moral, that you offered to me and the
“ Gratitude
is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others” Roman Philosopher, Cicero
Garden Center organization. I so agree with the statement made by the philosopher Cicero; “Gratitude is not
only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others”. Finding moments to take stock and be grateful for what we do have, diminishes our neediness and allows for a sense of joy. I hope you share many moments of joy with your family and loved ones recognizing this season of Thanksgiving. I would ask that you take a close look at the gift flyer enclosed in the newsletter. The simple purchase of these items created or put together at our various day programs, really does assist us with moving towards the challenge mentioned in my first paragraph. The pride our people feel in helping to produce these items, and the revenue generated by their sale, really does have a positive impact on both the self-esteem of our program participants, and the quality of the experiences we are able to offer them. Thank you for reading this month’s Leaflet, and for caring.
GARDEN CENTER HOLIDAY NEWS Order your Christmas Gifts with the enclosed form or shop even more great items at these locations & events.
G C S
H O L I DAY
S H O P P I N G
1.
Garden Gallery 17459 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park M-F 8am to 4pm Or visit Garden GalleryandStudio. com and shop online. Second Chance Thrift Shoppe 44 Stephen Street in Lemont M-S 10am to 4pm TH 10am-7pm
G U I D E
5. 2.
4. 3.
GCS Holiday Bazaar December 5th 1pm to 6pm 8333 S. Austin Ave. in Burbank
7.
GC Roast Coffee may be purchased on the agency website, at the Gallery or the GCS Holiday Bazaar.
8. 6.
1. Hand-knitted Winter Hats - $15 2. Santa Wreath - $20 3. Original Art Jewelry - $15 4. Garden Gallery Wall Calender - $12 5. Large Snowflake Wall Decor - $5
6. Fresh Roasted Coffee in Medium Dark, Dark and Holiday Roasts - $9 7. Snowman Glowing Nose Ornament - $5 8. Original Art Holiday Cards - $7.50 set of 12
An Easy Way to Make a BIG IMPACT! Did you know GCS offers a recurring donation option? Your monthly donation helps form a predictable source of income we can count on. It’s the easiest way to give and ensure that Garden Center receives your ongoing support. Why not make Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2nd, your recurring donation start day? Just visit Garden Center’s website and choose the “recurring donation” button directly under “gift amount” on the donation page and we’ll do the rest. You can also set up your recurring donation by phone at 773-941-4151 Ext. 218.
2
Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
DEC. 2
how you can help GCS Garden Center is in need of donations of the following items
•
art supplies
•
porch swing
•
basketball hoop
•
wall-mountable
Garden Center’s 58th Annual Fashion Show Last week Garden Center held it’s 58th Annual Fashion Show, “Tip Your Hat to Growing Dignity & Independence” at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Alsip, IL. Well over 300 friends and supporters attended this amazing event to see the stunning fashions of our own Second Chance Thrift Shoppe modeled by Garden Center program participants, staff and supporters. We are grateful to the many volunteers who made this event possible including the kids from St. Albert the Great School and Junior Girl Scout Troop #20075. Big thank yous also go to our dedicated Fashion Show Committee, the many basket, raffle, and auction donors as well as our wonderful attendees who made this event one of the most fun to date!
TV for exercise room •
kitchen table & chairs
•
Wii game station
•
small microwave
If you have something to donate, please contact Anne at amcferron@ gardencenter services.org
Mark your calendar...
GCS ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR Friday, Dec. 5th 1pm to 6pm 8333 S. Austin Ave. in Burbank Enjoy punch and cookies while you shop for baked goods, gifts, ornaments, cards, crafts and more!
November 2014
October 2014
SUN
THU
FRI
28
29
TUE
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Sunday
26
2
Monday
27
3
Tuesday
28
4
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
5
SUN
Friday
31
6
7
December 2014 TUE
30
1
2
3
7
8
9
10
14
15
16
17
THU
FRI
4
5
11
12
13
18
19
20
6
Saturday
1
8
First Friday at the Gallery 7pm to 9pm
Daylight Saving Time ends
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
Veterans Day Second Chance Thrift Shoppe Super Sale 12pm to 4pm
Thanksgiving Day
GCS Day Prog. & Offices Closed
4
GCS Annual Holiday Bazaar 5 First Friday at Garden Gallery Tinley Park Holiday Mart
6
3
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
Daniel Wenzler
1st Vice President
Jenny Wojcik
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Treasurer
George Sterba
Secretary
Sharon Duncan
Members:
Annmarie Caulfield
Amy & Liz get
Genel & Genia enjoy a beautiful fall day
ready for H alloween
Mary Beth Herr John J. Kunkes Sean O’Shea Linda Sherwood
Josh & Lisa help the GCS State Community Crew distribute food at the Food Circle
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.
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE SUPER SALE Sunday, Nov. 16th 12pm to 4pm 44 Stephen Street Lemont Get an extra 50% off everything store-wide!
gallery ct at the je ro p a n rks o Chris wo
SAVE A TREE ...AND GCS MONEY When you sign up to receive THE LEAFLET online We need your help to cut postage costs! If you would like to continue to receive the GCS newsletter, please contact Sandi at scoleman@ gardencenterservices.org to receive your next issue via eMail.
JULY
2014
T
Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
by the referral agencies that require the person to take a number of assessments. The purpose of these assessments is to pinpoint those deficits in cognitive, physical, and lifeskill development that will
Nicole & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Page 2 GCS WALKS, ROLLS & RUNS Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
Looking forward to this coming weekend and all the 4th of July celebrations leads me to think about the term “independence” and the struggles we’ve all gone through, as individuals and as a country, to become the people we want to be, spending our precious lives doing what we want to do. I would say the overarching goal we have as an agency that provides services and supports to adults with intellectual and physical disabilities is getting to know each person well enough so that we can accurately identify what their hopes and aspirations are and then doing whatever we can to assist them in realizing this potential. Before individuals are “awarded” state funding so that they can attend our programs, they must be screened
“It is only by spending quality time with an individual, deeply listening to them, observing them, that one comes to grasp their aptitude and ambitions. ”
verify they meet the criteria of having a developmental disability. It seems to be such a “what’s broken” way of looking at human beings, and does not give proper emphasis to the unique presence and contribution that each person possesses. It is only by spending quality time with an individual, deeply listening to them, observing them, that one comes to grasp their aptitude and ambitions. In both our day and residential programs we are continually working to improve the experiences and exposure our consumers receive driven by the approach described above.
We so appreciate the input provided by the families about their loved ones, and also the insights contributed by our caring staff that spends so much of their day engaged with our consumers. As an agency, as we become more aware and sensitive to the hopes and possibilities that are within each person we support, we must strive to make those changes necessary that will give them better access to full lives of participation. As much as I wanted to mention independence in this article, I also wanted to stress the need and benefit of “interdependence”. It’s truly only through the acceptance and support of one another that we can really become our best selves. I often think that one of the greatest gifts bestowed on us by the persons we support at Garden Center Services is their innate understanding of this principle, and the enviable way they open themselves to receiving and providing kindness. Enjoy the newsletter, and have a great summer.
Second Chance has everything you need for your holiday season!
Mon-Sat 10am-4pm Thur. 10am-7pm
FINISH YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING & HELP GCS AT THE SAME TIME! If you haven’t signed up for iGive, now is the perfect time Just visit www.igive.com and choose Garden Center Services as your charity of choice. You’ll instantly start earning money for GCS every time you shop at the over 1300 stores registered with iGive. Join today & help GCS with every holiday purchase you make!