THIS MONTH’S ISSUE The View From My Chair
01
Garden Center Family Spotlight
02
New Host Family Program
03
Friends of Garden Center
04
THE LEAFLET ISSUE OCT 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.
It’s hard to believe that on Sunday, November 6th, Garden Center Services will be celebrating its’ 55th Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon. This event holds such strong tradition for all of us whose lives have been enriched by knowing individuals that attend programs offered by our agency. I invite all of you reading this newsletter, as well as your family and friends, to join us at this years’ luncheon to commemorate the good that has been accomplished by our agency through the years, and to honor those parents, guardians, and staff that have made it possible. To purchase tickets, place an ad, or to donate items for our silent auction, please contact Michele Hula at (708) 3986506, mhula@gardencenterservices.org, or visit our website for more information: www. gardencenterservices.org.
In terms of support, I’m pleased to inform you that we’ve had our first generous response to our Planned Giving campaign. This friend of the agency and the people we support has taken the steps necessary so that part of her legacy will be the contribution made in her name as part of her will. The thoughtfulness of this individual, and her concern for the ongoing presence of Garden Center, touches me deeply. As anyone else would be interested in pursuing this type of bequest, please contact Michele at the number/email address I listed earlier. Some people have requested an option to provide a loving tribute for a friend or family member who has passed. I want to share with you that we now have available memorial envelopes you may obtain from Michele to be used at a wake or funeral.
As you can see, a lot of information about the agency, our current events, and fundraising efforts in progress, is shared through social media sites such as our website, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter accounts. Even if you do not spend time on the computer visiting these sites, I would ask that you encourage your extended family members and friends to check out these internet locations so that they’ll know what we’re up to and may consider supporting our cause.
In last month’s Leaflet, I referenced a couple of support functions being offered by our day programs which could be beneficial to local businesses. These activities are secure document shredding and the Garden Center Print Shop. Please contact me directly if you know of businesses that may be interested in these services. This would be financially helpful to the agency and provide meaningful work to our program participants. Thank you, Gerry A 5 0 1 (c ) ( 3 ) Nonprofit organi zation
Garden Center Family Spotlight Ruben just joined the Garden Center family last month. He is a big fan of music including Michael Jackson, The Monkeys, and especially The Beatles. Ruben doesn’t just love to listen to music, he also loves to play. Ruben is a drummer. His family even calls him Ringo! Even though Ruben hasn’t been around long he is already very involved in Garden Center activities. Ruben enjoys painting in the art room with the other Garden Center artists and always joins in the weekly sing-a-longs. In addition to his artistic endeavours, Ruben loves to go bowling and do anything that involves being outside.
RUBEN BALMARES
We are glad you are here Ruben and look forward to learning about even more of your many talents!
John works at our Austin CILA home. He has been with Garden Center for over four years. John came to Garden Center on the recommendation of a friend who also worked here and thought it would be a great fit for him. Turns out he was right! John’s favorite thing about Garden Center? “I enjoy spending time with the guys I help... and helping in general.” he says. John doesn’t have much time for hobbies. In addition to working at the Austin house, John is a full-time student at Chicago State University. He will graduate this December with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
JOHN SCHUETZ
Congratulations John!
Holiday Houses Are On Sale Now
Garden Center’s own Jeff Cyga and support staff, Cathy Johnson, have been busy creating miniature decorative Halloween and Christmas-themed houses. The houses are painstakingly hand-crafted from recycled cereal boxes. They are beautiful, but don’t take our word for it. Come see some of Jeff and Cathy’s handiwork for yourself. Houses are on sale in our business office located at 8333 S. Austin Ave. in Burbank. Looking for a particular style of color theme? Contact Sheila Ryan-Henry for details at sryanhenry@gardencenterservices.org or at 708-398-6587. Sale prices:
Large (approx. 10in tall) - $20 Medium (approx. 7in tall) - $12 Small (approx. 4-5in tall) - $6/$8
New Host Family Program Takes Off Garden Center has added a new service to our residential opportunities. Our new Host Family Program allows individuals with disabilities to live in the community with caring families in the family home. This arrangement offers independence, security, and a loving familylike living arrangement for both the individual with disabilities as well as the family members. The program is similar to traditional “foster care” programs. Adults with disabilities are paired with people to create a family atmosphere. This option is great for someone whose own family caregivers are unable to continue to provide adequate care in the family home. Other individuals who live in group home settings may find greater enjoyment and satisfaction living as a part of a family. Either way, it is our mission to make their next living arrangement a great one! Garden Center provides host families with training, support, case management, relief services, and medical support as needed. While host families receive a stipend, there are many intangible benefits for both the host family members and the individual with disabilities. If you would like more information on how you can be a part of the Host Family Program, call Jennifer Schindl at 708-398-6594.
Garden Center’s NEEDS List Pool table
Large flower pots Picnic tables Zoo passes
Event tickets New dishes
Flat screen TV Bookshelf
Vacuum & attachments New gardening tools Laptop computers Craft supplies Wall art
Frames for artwork Blank canvases
X-Box & dance games Living room set Xbox Kinect
Gym dues/passes Club dues
A BIG THANK YOU
Living room set
to everyone who participated in the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive last month. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Garden Center Artists Gallery Exhibit Date: October 17th-21st Location: Lewis University’s Caterpillar Gallery Oremus Fine Arts Building One University Parkway Romeoville, IL Details: Garden Center artist’s work will be featured in the local artists series at Lewis University’s Caterpillar Gallery. Garden Center Artists and Beth Kopf, Garden Center’s Artist in Residence, will give a presentation on their work with a reception following on Thursday, October 20th at 3:00pm. See you there!
Basketball Hoop If you have an item to donate, please email Anne McFerron at amcferron@gardencenterservices.org
GCS BULLETIN BOARD 55th AN
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SHO ASHION NUAL F
v. 6th Date: No - 4pm 2 l in Alsip Time: 1 e Hote letrehave If an item to donate, byou u o D : n Locatio please email Anne McFerron at uy tickets, b , or e s a amcferron@gardencenterservices.org h rc k u o bo To p in the ad t ad space item for the silen n a le e h ic M donate ll lease ca auction p 8-398-6506 0 7 t a la Hu
HAVE SOME EXTRA HOLIDAY DECORATIONS LYING AROUND? Where we grow
dignity and
independence
web www.gardencenterservices.org
Board of Directors
Thank You!
phone 708.636.0054 email info@gardencenterservices.org
June-August 2011
$1,000-$3,000 • ILLINOIS STATE COUNCIL #144 • UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO
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.
FRIENDS OF GARDEN CENTER
$500 - $999 • •
• •
THRIVENT FINANCIAL SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE
Mr. & Mrs. John Gronke Jennifer Schindl
$100 - $499 • •
TRUIST Dorothy Ballis
•
Dorothy Ballis
President
Barbara Clarke
1st Vice President
Scott Hardek
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Treasurer
R. Pat Ballis
POSITIONS AVAILABLE AT GARDEN
•
Kyran Quinlan
Members:
John J. Kunkes
Looking for a great job? We’re looking for you!
• • •
THE CLOROX COMPANY FOUNDATION Ruben P. Ballis CITIZENS FOR VIVERITO
• •
Edward Crowe DIXON ENTERPRISE
Frances Mientus Linda Stearns
Apply online at
Daniel Wenzler
http://www.gardencenterservices.org/careers.html
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE SUPER SALE IS OCTOBER 16th
Impo rt ant Date s! Oc tobe r 17th-21s t
ts’ exhibit at Garde n Ce nter Artis eption Oct. 20th Le wis University, rec
Novembe r 6t h
Sh 55th Annual Fashion
HALF OFF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE! • Halloween costumes 44 Stephen Street • Fall items Lemont, IL • Christmas decorations
S
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DETAIL S INSIDE THIS ISSUE!
http://gardencenterservices. wordpress.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/ gardencenterservices http://twitter.com/gardencentersrv
http://www.facebook.com/ gardencenterservices
Visit www.indiegogo.com/GardenStudio-Gallery for details!
DONATION FOR THE WEDDING BERNARD MILLER MEMORIAL FOR CHARLES CROWE
MEMORIAL FOR VIOLA FREDERICKS
MEMORIAL FOR CHARLES CROWE
Up to $99 • Mr. & Mrs. Douglass Combs • • • • • • • • •
HELP GARDEN CENTER AND WIN AN iPAD!
General
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MEMORIAL FOR ELAINE KASPRZYK
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Conway
MARTIN & MARTIN JEWELERS
Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Hoteko
MEMORY OF DEAN S. HOTEKO
PRYME TYMERS FIVE BELOW, INC. HSBC PHILANTHROPIC PROGRAMS Michele Mask Shelly Scinto Linda Stearns
MEMORIAL FOR VIOLA FREDERICKS
Myrtis Winter
MEMORIAL FOR ILSE TOLLAS
Linda Stearns
General
Grace Fellger
MEMORIAL FOR ROWLAND WILLIAMS
Nancy Spencer
You may have a hidden asset that could make a big difference for Garden Center If you are maintaining life insurance coverage that your family no longer needs, consider giving the (paid-up) policy to us. You’ll receive an immediate charitable deduction and deliver a substantial gift to us, without affecting your investment portfolio or your cash flow. To learn more contact Gerry at (708) 398-6502.