NOVEMBER
2015
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
the desire for growth, the compassionate heart wanting to help, the need for acceptance & connection, the joy and laughter born from fulfillment. Gerry & Chris
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 LOREL KITCHEN REMODEL Page 2 GCS HOLIDAY CATALOG Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
As we head into another holiday season of gratitude and giving, I simply want to share with you a few thoughts that restate some ideas I’ve expressed in other newsletters. This morning I find myself wondering if the best use of this front page of the Leaflet wouldn’t just be a montage full of pictures capturing the precious individuals we support interacting with our awesome staff in the multitude of ways they do each and every day! I’m sure those photos would express much better than I the true essence of Garden Center Services;
I realize that as Executive Director of this indispensable organization it has become one of my primary responsibilities to solicit the discretionary funding necessary to provide the quality services our program participants deserve. I’m confident I don’t need to beleaguer you yet again with the distressing reality of the inadequate funding directed by the state of Illinois towards supports for individuals impacted by disabilities. In all honesty, it’s frustrating and tiring at times to always be approaching you with my hands out, but then I look into the faces of those we serve, and I’m fired up again.
And is it not true as we all begin making plans for the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner, that compared to the majority of people that we share this planet with, we have so much to grateful for. Oh I understand that things could be better, newer, easier, or less complicated, but I would wager we all have a place to lay our head tonight and some amount of food to put into our bellies. It is my sincere hope that we all allow these seeds of gratitude to grow to the point that our expression of thanks is to actively find ways of bringing more kindness into the world. And as Executive Director of this agency, I would ask that some of that generosity of spirit and resources be directed towards the individuals we serve.
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY LOREL KITCHEN REMODEL Garden Center’s Lorel home is getting a much needed make-over. The Lorel kitchen, estimated to be about fifty years old, had seen better days. Cabinet doors were missing, some drawers didn’t open, and the old appliances needed replacing. Thanks to an amazing collection of people and local businesses, all that has changed. AKB Kitchen & Bath in Chicago donated beautiful cabinetry and countertops for the kitchen renovation. Granite Emporium generously donated their services to custom cut the granite countertops for installation. The existing flooring was repaired by the Beemsterboer family, and the Knights of Columbus #14553 helped with demolition and ith w s e s o installation of the new cabinetry and he gner p Bob We& Christine in tn appliances. Two instructors with e Chrissy finished kitch several apprentices from Plumbers y newl Local 130, U.A. updated the kitchen’s plumbing. Now, thanks to all those involved, and the Wegner family who managed the entire project, the ladies of Lorel House have a beautiful, modern and safe kitchen!
GCS’S
59TH ANNUAL FASHION SHOW
Join us to see beautiful, cost-conscious fashions from Garden Center’s own Second Chance Thrift Shoppe stylishly modeled for you by GCS consumers, staff, and family members. You will enjoy great food, including your choice of Prime Rib, Chicken Piccata, or the Vegetarian Beggar’s Purse. Also, new this year, is a LIVE AUCTION! As always, we will have fantastic raffles, silent auction, split the pot and more! TICKETS: www.GardenCenterServices.org
G C S
B U S I N E S S
Sunday, November 8th 12pm to 4pm
DoubleTree in Alsip
C O R N E R
SHOP GARDEN CENTER MICROBUSINESS’ PRODUCTS AT SECOND CHANCE GCS Microbusiness products are now for sale at Second Chance Thrift. Stop in Second Chance to purchase our beautiful hand-painted candles, original works of art, bottle cap magnets and more. Second Chance Thrift Shoppe 44 Stephen Street Lemont Mondys-Fridays 10am to 4pm Thursdays-10am to 7pm
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Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
Visit Second Chance today!
GCS HOLIDAY CATALOG The GCS Holiday Catalog is here! Choose from beautiful hand-crafted gifts that will not only delight your recipient, but will also provide essential support for the many residential and vocational programs at GCS.
keep YOUR
face
CANNOT SEE A
to theSUNSHINE AND YOU
SHADOW - HELEN KELLER
nd-crafted Beautiful, haem s it gift
You will find several great new products this year including a GCSbranded fleece, GCS personal planner, hand-made scented candles, button art and more!
A catalog is included in this mailing. If you receive your newsletter digitally, you will find the online version by clicking on the link.
Garden Ce
ces 2015HOLIDAY nter Servi
Catalog
Shop the GC S Catalog for al Holiday l gift giving needyour s
Orders are due by Friday, November 13th. You may drop off your order form at either day program or mail it to GCS with your check in the enclosed envelope.
Place your GCS Holiday Catalog Order Today &
Do Good When You Shop!
BEVERLY ART WALK The second annual Beverly Art Walk was held on Saturday, October 3, 2015. The Walk featured art by talented local artists and artisans, home studio tours, music, demonstrations, children’s activities, coffee, wine tasting, and public art. Works by more than 100 artists, including Garden Center’s own talented artists, were exhibited in more than 40 small businesses and pop-up galleries across the Beverly neighborhood. The event was organized by The Beverly Arts Alliance, an organization that seeks to identify opportunities and incubate ideas to advance Beverly as a hub Sophie shows of culture and creativity on Chicago’s Far South Side. of o
Mark your calendar...
f some f her w Beverly ork at the Art Wa lk
Community Bulletin Board
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GCS’ 59th Annual NOV. Fashion Show 8 th
Sunday, November 8th
IAL SITES ESIDENT R S DY DAY SITE • MOO E T A T • S IE nce • KEDZ g experie, n ti in a p e lp If you havwould like to haet 815y d and in C ntact @ please co419 or chaworth.org s -7 e 263 nterservic gardence
HELP GCS MAKE WISHES COME TRUE! GCS’s My Wish Program needs your help to make some of the 2015-2016 requests for those we serve a reality. We are looking for tickets to the following events... • • • • • •
Bears (4) Bulls (3) Hawks (2) Cubs (2-Spring 2016) White Sox (4-Spring 2016) Elvis impersonator show (2)
If you would like to help, please contact Allie at 773-941-4151 Ext. 228 or aboyle@gardencenterservices.org
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Growing dignity
Enjoy punch & cookies while you browse our beautiful hand-made gift items
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
Dr. Jenny Wojcik
1st Vice President
Annmarie Caulfield
2nd Vice President
Paul Krutulis
Treasurer
George Sterba
Secretary
Florence Head
Members:
Caroline Connors
Erin & Chris pose for a party pic
Proceeds benefidt residential an s am vocational progrnte r at Garden Ce Services
GCS Annual Holiday Bazaar Dec. 4th 1pm to 6pm
Joan Strainis Representative Fran Hurley
8333 S. Austin Ave. in Burbank
Sean O’Shea Dave Rauen Tom Beemesterboer
party! y for the d a e r is n Ke 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.
DoubleTree in Alsip 12pm to 4pm
SUPER SALE SUNDAY, NOV. 22nd 12pm to 4pm
50% OFF EVERYTHING 44 STEPHEN STREET IN LEMONT