OCTOBER
2015
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ago. His kind assistance, enjoyable conversations, and the fragrance of his ever present cologne, will be dearly missed.
Salvatore “Sal” Manzella
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 DSP WEEK Page 2 LOVE ROCKS Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
One of the experiences I had my first day at Garden Center which provided me a sign I had made the right decision, was meeting Sal (Salvatore) Manzella. A handsome man of Italian dissent that had attended the agency for a couple of years at that time. He was so incredibly welcoming, helpful, curious, and chatty, that it definitely lowered the anxiety I was experiencing that day back in May, 2003. I am so sad to share that Sal passed away unexpectedly, and way too soon, just over a week
I am writing this article for the cover of the October Leaflet. October! Though we are a quarter of the way through the 2016 fiscal year, our legislature and governor have not yet approved a budget for the state of Illinois. It frightens me to imagine where DD services would be if not for the court ordered mandate that all Medicaid-funded programs must be paid. Though we are currently being reimbursed at last years’ levels, we have no guarantee what our rates will be once the FY16 state budget is ratified. Whatever the rates are, there is no doubt that they will inadequately provide the support required to offer the variety and intensity of services and experiences our individuals deserve.
At his memorial, Sal’s parents shared with me how much he looked forward to coming to the State Road Program each day. I appreciated that, but I am also keenly aware that Sal was an individual similar to most of the persons we serve, that had capacities and gifts that were not fully developed or shared due to the inadequacy of our state’s funding. It is Garden Center Services’ commitment to these values of choice and empowerment that drive our fund development efforts in the hopes of securing the discretionary monies we need to live up to our mission. As you come across requests for donations of your money or services in this or other correspondence from the agency, please don’t put off making a decision because there will always be time. Sometimes there isn’t.
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS WEEK RECAP Garden Center Services celebrated the accomplishments of our amazing staff during National Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Week, September 13-19. This week served to recognize the hard work and dedication of our direct support staff, and to thank them for all they do to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. This week-long celebration included daily gift card raffles, Sunny visits, homemade breakfast at the State Day program, BBQs at several of our CILA homes, individual gifts to every DSP, and much more. to pped by A’s o t s g n a the g of BM Sunny & the hard work e ge recogniz Pat Jud
Thank you to everyone who helped make this week even more special for our staff by donating raffle items and sending your own personal words of thanks.
GCS’S FALL FAMILY FORUM
On Saturday, September 26th, the Garden Center community came together to discuss the future direction of the agency at the Fall Family Forum. The Family Forum was created out of the Board’s desire to refashion the traditional membership meeting in a way that would allow more family members to attend and create an environment where families could provide more direct input. With over 50 individuals in attendance, Gerry Beagles and Cindy Haworth presented information on the state of the agency. Later, attendees broke out into small groups and provided staff with wonderful suggestions regarding consumer employment, subcontract work, fund development and ways to improve communication with families. Over the next two months, staff will work on incorporating a number of these suggestions. By the end of the forum, the attendees had built a cohesive community endeavor to empower the people we serve, and everyone is looking forward to the next forum.
G C S
B U S I N E S S
C O R N E R
GARDEN CENTER HOLIDAY CATALOG 2015 IT’S ALMOST HERE!
Our elves are hard at work on amazing gift items for everyone on your list. Keep an eye out in the next month for our 2015 Holiday Catalog where you can order beautiful hand-made items like our painted candles, Christmas cards, bottle cap magnets and more! Shop Garden Center for all your gift needs this holiday season and Do Good When You Shop!
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Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
We have something for everyone on your list!
REASON Be the
someone
SMILES today
L
VE ROCKS!
The Love Rocks idea was created when an Oregon family who lost both of their young daughters in a terrible accident decided to find a way to remember the girls through love and joy. The family expanded on a project they had started with the girls where they decorated rocks with hearts and gave them to loved ones. Now people all over the world are creating Love Rocks and sharing them with others. the L7VE ds ea pr S er nt Garden Center got in on Garden Ce the project by making our own Love Rocks to leave around our communities for people to Krista leaves find as a way to bring some love and joy to those around us. a LOVE Roc k for someone to
find
If you would like to learn more about Love Rocks, you can find them on facebook at www.facebook.com/lovedrenched.
GCS STAFF RECOGNIZED BY ILLINOIS FOR OUTSTANDING WORK Periodically, representatives from the state visit Garden Center, as they do all agencies like GCS, to review the quality of services provided. This past week, representatives from the State of Illinois’ Bureau of Quality Management visited some of our residential & day programs and also reviewed our medication procedures. The surveyors found no deficiencies in the programs and only minor, easily-addressed issues related to medication. The surveyors relayed how impressed they were with the level of engagement of GCS staff and how happy the people receiving services at Garden Center are as a result. GCS is proud of the committed and qualified staff at each of our programs GREAT JOB!
Mark your
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Fo o d F
calendar...
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GCS’ 59th Annual NOV. Fashion Show 8 th
Sunday, November 8th
Lomba our hord was jus mes t o rave rethat receniev of ed views
Community Bulletin Board TER S D: PAIN E T N A W help lunteersatto o v s d e e GCS n with painting L SITES SIDENTIAY E R S E DAY SIT E • MOOD K ICF • STATZIE • BURBAN • KED e experie, nc inting to a p lp e e v h a h If you d would like dy at 815an ontact Cin rth@ c please-7 or chawo rg 263 4c1e9nterservices.o garden
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) The Lion King Musical (5) 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
FRIENDS OF GARDEN June 2015-August 2015
and independence
$10,000
8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL 60459
$1,000- $1,500
*general non-event donations
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10444 S. Kedzie Chicago, IL 60655
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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
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPERS DONATIONS Margaret Horny Kevin & Jane Doherty In Honor of Kathleen Malloy
$100 - $499
Veronica shows off her skills in the kitchen
Joan Strainis Representative Fran Hurley Sean O’Shea Dave Rauen Tom Beemesterboer
tate! Week at S P S D g in t a Celebr 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.
Jeff & Peggy Lovelady
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John Kunkes * PAUL MITCHELL THE SCHOOL TINLEY PARK John Nemec YOLOBE, INC. WEAVERS GUILD OF THE NORTH SHORE Karen Winter GARDEN GALLERY SHOPPERS Brian & Elizabeth Wojak *
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ANONYMOUS Joseph Surdyk Deborah Conway Sharon Duncan * Harry Klein Diane Garrison Mary Walter
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Up to $99 • • • • • • • •
DoubleTree in Alsip 12pm to 4pm
SECOND CHANCE SUPER SALE SUNDAY, OCT. 18th 12pm to 4pm
50% OFF CHECK OUT OUR AMAZING COSTUME SELECTION!
Memorial for Vito Tallarito
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EXELON Ann McGrath-Harty Joan Fox Jose Medina Greg Rodriquez CLOROX CO. FOUNDATION EMPLOYE GIVING CAMP Sherry L. Vankuren Patricia Kane Memorial for Kristen Kimball
Brian Rotroff * Bruce & Deanne Kimball UNITED WAY OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO Judith Mavraganes Joan Cozza Colleen Cunningham Jean Yunker George Sterba, Jr. * In Honor of Richie P
Karen Barthel Linda Stearns Mary Cullen INDIVIDUAL UNITED WAY DONATIONS-NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE ANONYMOUS DONORS Josephine Lapp * Indicates GCS’ The Giving Tree Monthly Giving Club Members