GCS Newsletter THE LEAFLET Issue NOV/DEC 2016

NOV/DEC

2016

Garden Center Services

The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Donna & Gerry

INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 HCBS CHANGES Page 2 EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM Page 3 GCS FAMILY Page 4

Words cannot adequately express my deepest gratitude for all the support and kindnesses that many of you have provided to this agency and the wonderful individuals we serve during the sixty years of Garden Centers’ history. This agency has always felt like a family and no matter how many individuals we serve, we strive to maintain this fundamental significance.

As we prepare to celebrate our 60th Annual Fashion Show Luncheon this coming Sunday at the DoubleTree Hotel in Alsip, I’m sure

there’ll be many instances demonstrating this familiarity and the collective experiences and stories we have about sharing our lives with persons impacted by intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

“Courage. Kindness.

Friendship. Character.

These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness” -R.J. Palacio, Wonder -

This upcoming event to celebrate the goodness and decency that defines our agency could not come at a more poignant time! We are constantly subjected to words of contempt and divisiveness when I daily witness examples within our day programs or group

homes that are driven by profound kindness and compassion. I invite all of you to experience the real joy that comes from helping those that are burdened by certain limitations, and to spend time with individuals that are so giving and authentic.

On behalf of myself, my wife Cindy, and our committed Board of Directors, I would like to wish each and every one of you an upcoming holiday season filled with quiet moments of gratitude, peace within you and your communities, and a deep sense of awe stemming from the many miracles that surround us.

GARDEN CENTER FAMILY HCBS CHANGES AND WHAT THEY MEAN You may have heard there have been changes in the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) rules.

In January 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new rules that will impact the nature of residential and day service settings funded through Medicaid as part of HCBS. The new rules took into account thousands of public comments reflecting a wide range of perspectives that were gathered over five years.

The final rules require that all HCBS settings must: • Be integrated in and facilitate full access to the greater community; • • • •

Optimize autonomy and independence in making life choices; Ensure the right to privacy, dignity, respect and freedom from coercion and restraint; Provide an opportunity to seek competitive employment; Facilitate choice of services and who provides them.*

Although Garden Center was already independently working toward these goals, the new rules are an important step forward in federal policy, supporting inclusion and integration of people with disabilities in the community and will provide further support of Garden Center’s mission. Each state is now creating and submitting a transition plan that lays out how the state will meet these new rules. Illinois’ transition plan has been submitted and feedback is expected from CMS toward the end of the month.

We will continue to share more information as it is available. * Details from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities Follow us on

Newcastle Park Burbank, IL SATURDAY, JUNE 3RD 2017

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8:30AM

G C S

e v a S ese th tes! da B U S I N E S S

C O R N E R

GCS’s growArts Holiday Catalog is HERE! Order amazing products from GCS branded t-shirts to hand-crafted soaps, candles, dog toys and more...

PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!

Order forms included in this mailing Pick up orders at our locations 10444 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank

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Do good when you shop...

Great products like this GCS branded t-shirt make gifts!

EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS GO TO WORK Employment Program Participants are landing their dream jobs because of your support

Last year at GCS’s Fashion Show, over 40 attendees made a financial pledge to Garden Center’s Community Employment Program. Because of your support, over 15 consumers have completed job skills training classes and seven so far have gone on to find employment in the community. This month, Michele Hula, GCS’s long-time Employee Recruitment and Mary on her first day Retention Specialist, has turned her valuable job-matching of hostessing skills toward helping more of those we serve find their dream jobs in the community. ntly at orking independes od Jelani is now w Fo h lt ea Southtown H

If your business is looking for motivated, enthusiastic employees, or are interested in more information about the Community Employment Program, please contact Michele at mhula@ gardencenterservices.org or by phone at 773-941-4151 Ext. 212.

At this year’s Fashion Show, please consider making a pledge to help Garden Center’s Employment Program participants develop self-esteem, confidence and find the fulfillment that having a job provides.

LANDSCAPING PROJECT TO BEGIN AT STATE STREET PROGRAM

Building State Street Landscaping atrting Soon!

Sta

Mark your calendar...

In the next couple of weeks you will see a lot of activity outside of our State Road facility! Due to a generous award made by the Burbank Lions’ Club and the donated services of Frega Associates, specifically Rudy Cuasay, and the reduced pricing by Clarke’s Garden Center, an enchanting landscape plan will be taking shape along the front and side of our building. With all the traffic along State Road, the attractiveness of the new trees, shrubs, plants, and stones, will truly help our agency stand out. We are thankful for the support of these groups, and ask that you help us show our gratitude in any way you are able.

Community Bulletin Board

GCS 6oTH Annual FASHION SHOW & LUNCHEON NOV.6TH 12pm to 4pm at DoubleTree in Alsip GCS Annual Holiday Bazaar DEC. 2ND 1pm to 6pm at 8333 S. State in Burbank

d an S Staff ha !

C G u o y o t n Week Thanks Appreciatio P S D g in who z ama any donors les. m r u o o t u ff raff Thank yo for our sta s d r a c t if gave g

WE NEED YOU!

Every year for the staff Christmas party we reach out to our families and friends to volunteer their time so as many of our dedicated, caring staff as possible can attend some portion of the event. Our employees are the foundation of providing quality services and this holiday gathering is one of the ways we try to acknowledge their value to the organization.

If you are able to volunteer at one of the homes where our individuals reside for a period of time, 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

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 Joan Strainis Representative Fran Hurley Dave Rauen Tom Beemsterboer

GCS Hallo ween party

SECOND CHANCE THRIFT IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS 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.

Want to have fun & do good at the same time? Second Chance Thrift Shoppe is looking for volunteers to help with taking in donations, tagging items, running the register and more!

Interested?

Call 630-2431279

MARK YOUR CALENDAR GCS Day Programs

CLOSED

• Nov. 24th & 25th • Dec. 23rd & 26th • Jan 1st

Garden Center Ser vices’

60TH ANNUAL FASHION SHOW & LUNCHEON

Sunday, November 6th, 2016 12pm to 4pm

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CUT POSTAGE COSTS!

JULY

2014

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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.

In an effort to save money, we have reduced the Leaflet publication to every other month. We need to cut these costs even further. If you have an email address, please contact Sandi at scoleman@ gardencenterservices.org to receive your next issue via eMail. THANKS!