OCTOBER
2014
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gerry & Lisa
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Page 2 LEGISLATOR TO WORK DAY Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
Recently, on our website, we changed some of the language that describes what we are striving to achieve in our programs, and I cited the 5 valued life experiences as targeted by Mr. John O’Brien, a consultant, trainer, and author in the field of intellectual and physical disabilities. It is suggested that as our lives involve having a number of these experiences on a regular basis, the quality of our lives and the amount of meaningfulness we feel, will significantly improve. The more we can assist the individuals that receive our services to truly live through these types of experiences, the more confident, comfortable, and happier they become.
• Sharing ordinary places: All of us love hanging out with people that know us, accept us, and just enjoy being with us. This could be at church, a bar, work, a coffee shop, our living room, ….. The important thing is, we know we’re among friends. • Growing in relationship: The connectedness we have with others becomes stronger, and there are expanded opportunities to meet others. In your own life, doesn’t this have such a powerful impact on your own frame of mind? • Making choices: Being allowed the respect and dignity of having a say in one’s own life is so empowering! This isn’t even necessarily about the big choices, but the many day-to-day choices we make that help us to feel safe, and okay about ourselves. • Contributing: Everybody wants to feel needed, and that their presence makes a difference. The growth in the self-esteem and confidence I have witnessed in our Community Crew members that do a lot of volunteering has been awesome. • Being respected: So simple, and yet so fundamental to our well-being. As we express more of this to one another, the more solid footing we have to reach upward, or to reach out to those that need our help.
Frequently in this newsletter, and by other means, we are asking for your financial support to help us meet the needs of those we serve, and goodness knows, it’s essential that we do this. That being said, there are certainly other ways that you can help us in our efforts to afford the persons that attend Garden Center Services to have some of the life experiences referenced above. If you have some extra time on your hands, we really appreciate individuals that volunteer at any of our program locations. It so nice to have extra faces & hands to offer additional attention and engagement to those we serve. It doesn’t matter in the least if you have any “specialized” talent or gift. What counts is your willingness and commitment to really listening to, and getting to know, the persons that you would spend time with. If you have any interest in volunteering, please contact Michele Hula at 773-941-4151, ext. 212.