SEP/OCT
2016
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
that attend our programs should receive this recognition.
Steven & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 DSP APPRECIATION WEEK Page 2 MARY GETS HER DREAM JOB Page 3 ADOPT A HOME UPDATE Page 4
Once a year, Direct Support Staff are recognized across the country through the National Direct Support Professional Appreciation week. This year, September 11th through 17th, Garden Center will join agencies across the U.S. in celebrating and honoring these vital staff who make such a positive difference in the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There will be a number of activities and events to show appreciation for our staff such as gift card raffles, drawings for prizes, visits from our mascot Sunny, and many more surprises. It is so fitting that the persons who provide such capable and compassionate care to the individuals
Successfully supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live lives that are filled with contribution, connection, and growing self-confidence, requires staff that are very devoted and kind. Garden Center is proud to have as our foundation a group of such staff persons who day in, day out, truly define the quality of our services.
“From myself and Cindy, the Board of Directors, and our management staff, a huge THANK YOU to the finest group of DSPs anywhere!” I know that many of these direct support professionals go from assisting the persons here at Garden Center Services to their own homes’ where they are responsible to provide care and support to their own families. I have such admiration and respect for all that they do.
I would encourage all of you to please add your own personal touch to this observance of our great staff by letting them know how much their efforts mean to you. From myself and Cindy, the Board of Directors, and our management staff, a huge THANK YOU to the finest group of DSPs anywhere! I would also like to mention that October is Disability employment awareness month. Reflecting the important role disability plays in workforce diversity, this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) theme is “#InclusionWorks.” Observed each October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates about the value of a diverse workforce inclusive of their skills and talents. Inside this issue of the Leaflet you will find a wonderful article about Garden Center’s Community Employment Program and how it’s changing the face of the work force in such a beautiful way!!
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS APPRECIATION WEEK This September, Garden Center, along with agencies across the nation, will be celebrating Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Week. The goal of the week is to honor the essential staff who enable people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to live healthy lives in their communities. Illinois budget woes and low Medicaid reimbursement rates make it challenging to pay our staff the wages they deserve, so we try to show our appreciation in other ways. This September 11th through 17th, Garden Center will celebrate our amazing Direct Support Professionals with raffles, gifts, parties and more. We need you to make this week special: (1) Please share your words of appreciation ek e and thoughts about why the DSP(s) in your w n io preciatth 17th life are important to you and your family. DSP Ap r 11 e b m We will share those thoughts with the e t p Se staff person. A few words from you will mean so much! Send your comments to Michele at mhula@gardencenterservices.org or drop off to our receptionist at either site to the attention of Michele. (2) We would appreciate any gift cards you can send for us to use for raffles and drawings to help make this a truly memorable experience for those who do so much for so many. Please drop off gift cards to either site attn: Michele. THANK YOU! Join us for Garden Center’s Family & Friends Forum to share your thoughts and ideas with GCS leadership and learn about topics of interest what be the family forum topics while youwilldevelop relationships with other Garden Center families. We have moved these for this time? events to Saturday mornings to make it easy for as many to attend as possible. See you there!
Saturday, September 17th 10:30am to noon State Street Program 8333 S. Austin Ave. in Burbank
G C S
B U S I N E S S
C O R N E R
GCS’s growArts featured Micro-Business product Kids Soap ONLY $5
These gentle, lightly-scented, glycerin soaps contain a small toy guaranteed to make bath-time fun! Order online GardenCenterServices.org/shop.html or at the Kedzie or State buildings 10444 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank or visit us at the
Oak Lawn Farmers Market Wednesdays 7am-1pm
2
Do good when you shop...
Each soap contains a cool toy!
MARY GETS HER DREAM JOB! On August 3rd, Mary fulfilled a long-time dream of becoming a restaurant hostess. Mary began working toward that dream last fall when she started job skills classes with GCS’s Community Employment Program. In July, she interviewed for a position with The Original Pancake House in Oak Lawn and was quickly hired. “I love it completely!”, Mary says of her new job. “Staff is super sweet. Julie and Rich [the owners] are truly wonderful.”
t hostess at Meet the newesHouse in Oak Lawn ncake The Original Pa
Mary on her firs
t day Mary is not the only one pleased with her job. Mary’s new supervisor, Julie Harrigan said, “The staff are beaming ear-to-ear because Mary has joined our team! Her energy and positive attitude makes her a wonderful addition, and she’s perfect for the hostess position.”
CONGRATULATIONS MARY!
If your business is looking for motivated, enthusiastic employees, or are interested in more information about the Community Employment Program, please contact Sheryl Kincinas at 708-398-6598 or via email at skincinas@gardencenterservices.org
GARDEN CENTER SERVICES’ 60TH ANNUAL FASHION SHOW & LUNCHEON Mark your calendars for November 6th, 2016 to join Garden Center at our 60th Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Alsip. Enjoy music, raffles, silent auction, professional party photos, and more with our guest EMCEE, Chicago comedian Pat McGann. See the beautiful fashions of Second Chance Thrift Shoppe modeled by our own program participants, staff and families. And enjoy a great meal with even better friends.
Garden Center Ser vices’
60TH ANNUAL FASHION SHOW & LUNCHEON
Be sure to make your reservations early, we are expecting to sell out! Use the enclosed form in this newsletter to reserve your space and choose your meals. You may also make your reservations on our website at www.GardenCenterServices.org. We are looking volunteers to help with the event. If you would like to volunteer, contact Sandra Coleman at scoleman@gardencenterservices.org or by phone 773-941-4151 Ext. 202.
Mark your calendar...
Community Bulletin Board
12pm to 4pm
GCS’s Needs Gift Cards for DSP Appreciation Week Raffles!!! GCS has some of the most AMAZING staff around. Help us show our appreciation for these dedicated employees by donating gift cards for several raffles to be held throughout appreciation week.
FAMILY & FRIENDS FORUM SEP. 17TH 10:30am to Noon at State Road Program GCS 6oTH Annual FASHION SHOW & LUNCHEON NOV.6TH 12pm to 4pm at DoubleTree in Alsip
Sunday, November 6th, 2016
gles family a e B u o y k Than or donating the r f ing for! ou patio sow L rel home
If you would like to donate a gift card or money toward a gift card purchase, please contact:
Cindy Haworth 773-941-4151 Ext. 213
chaworth@gardencenterservices.org
3
Growing dignity
ADOPT A HOME PROJECTS UPDATE
and independence
Garden Center’s Adopt a Home program has made great progress since the last newsletter. The Moody kitchen renovation is finished and looks beautiful. The Knights of Columbus built an accessible patio at the Kolin home allowing everyone to access and enjoy the backyard. And recently the employees of Amita Health have adopted the Neenah home and are planning a pizza party for October.
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 Beemesterboer
3 build s #1455m u b m lu lin ho e of Co Knightsdeck at the Ko a
Also, this month the Fiedler, Strainis and Shadden families, who have adopted the State Street building, are planning a kitchen remodel. Enclosed in this newsletter you will find a letter from Sheryl Kincinas, Director of Day Programming about how you can help in this effort. We are so grateful to our Adopt a Home families/organizations. From remodels to planning parties/events to just hanging out at the house, you’re support makes an enormous difference in the lives of those we support - THANK YOU! If you or your group/organization would like to adopt a Garden Center home, or would like to donate time, money and/or resources please contact Bob & Kathy Wegner at wegrf@yahoo.com.
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.
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS 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 Amy at 630-2431279
MARK YOUR CALENDAR GCS Day Programs
CLOSED
SEPT 5th Labor Day
Show some love for our long-time supporter, Dukes Italian Beef 8115 S. Harlem in Bridgeview
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CUT POSTAGE COSTS!
JULY
2014
T
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!