SEPTEMBER
2014
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gerry & Krista
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Page 2 NEW PROGRAM OFFERINGS Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
Inside this issue of the Leaflet you will find a reference to how next week has been designated Direct Support Professionals Week by the United States Senate! It is so fitting that the persons who provide such capable and compassionate care to the individuals that attend our programs, should receive this recognition. I am so grateful to these staff that work tirelessly day-in and day-out at our day programs and residential homes to ensure that our consumers are safe, that they are developing more independence, and that they are having the experiences they want in their lives.
I know many of these direct support professionals go from assisting the persons here at Garden Center Services to their own homes where they care and provide for their own families. I believe our agency, with the resolve of our Board of Directors and executive staff, have strove to compensate these essential employees adequately, but it is difficult when the level of funding has remained stagnant for many years.
“I am so grateful to [our] staff who work tirelessly ... to ensure that our consumers are safe, that they are developing more independence, and that they are having the experiences they want in their lives. ” Therefore, as you well know, we are constantly looking for ways to bring additional revenue into the agency that is not dependent on our
state funders. One of the ways we hope to achieve this is through our newly established Recurring Donation Program, which you can read about in this month’s newsletter. I hope you’ll consider contributing through this option, and help us support our consumers and staff in the way they deserve. There will be a number of activities and events to observe Direct Support Professionals Week, but please add your own personal touch to the celebration of our great staff by letting them know how much their efforts mean to you. From myself, the Board of Directors, and our management staff, a huge THANK YOU to the finest group of DSPs anywhere!
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY RENOVATE/REFRESH EVENT at STATE STREET PROGRAM On Saturday, September 13th our friends at Abide in Me are organizing an event to renovate the leisure room and hallways for our State Street program. They are looking for people who can paint, put furniture together, decorate and provide general labor. They are also looking for donations of arts and craft supplies, spa items, games, new kitchen utensils and painting supplies for the renovation day. For more information or to help, please send an email to Sharon at sduncan.aime@gmail.com or to Colleen at colleenfiedler@ hotmail.com.
TV SERIES TO FOCUS ON THE LIVES OF HOUSEMATES WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES This September, a new documentary series on the OWN Network will focus on five young adults with intellectual disabilities and their transition to adulthood. The Specials follows the lives of British housemates Sam, Lucy, Lewis, Hilly and Megan over four years as they go through everything from job hunting to dating. OWN will air thirteen episodes of the series back-to-back on Sept. 7 starting at 1:30 p.m. THE SPECIALS airs Sept 7th 1:30pm
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE Our doors open at 9am, one hour earlier, on Tuesdays, now thru October 28th for all you early birds who shop Lemont’s Farmer’s Market. Come out and see us for great deals on clothing, household items, electronics, collectables, toys and more! 44 Stephen Street in Lemont
G C S
BU S I N E S S
C O R N E R
Join us Friday to see a live demonstration by street artist, Cory Schmeske - Out of Mind Creations. Cory will demonstrate his amazing style of spray paint art in our courtyard! Then come in the gallery to see the work of our featured artist, Charlotte Ginnetti Ponto. Ponto has two master’s degrees and taught art for 30 years. She has had exhibits throughout the United States and Mexico and creates in several media, including altered books, printing, drawing, collage, mixed media and painting. First Friday is FREE and open to all ages. Garden Gallery & Studio Friday, September 5th 7pm to 9pm 17459 S. Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park
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Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
Live demonstration by Cory Schmeske
how you can help GCS
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS WEEK The US Senate has designated the week of September 7th through 13th as Direct Support Professionals Week. In it’s 7th year, DSP Week takes time to recognize the workers across the country who enable people with intellectual disabilities and their families to live full, healthy, community-centered lives.
Garden Center is in need of donations of the following items
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art supplies
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porch swing
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basketball hoop
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storage shelving
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rubbermaid -type storage
At Garden Center, we will be celebrating our amazing and dedicated Direct Support Professionals with a week of activities and events including gift card raffles, drawings for a day off, breakfasts and more!
Direct Support Professional Week September 7th - 13th
Please take time to say “Thank You” to the Direct Support staff who positively impact your life and the lives of your loved ones.
containers •
digital camera
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wall-mountable TV for exercise
AN EASY WAY TO MAKE A BIG IMPACT
room •
kitchen table & chairs
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Wii game station
If you have something to donate, please contact Anne at amcferron@ gardencenterservices .org
Mark your calendar...
Save the Date!
GCS’s 58th Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon GCS’s 58th Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon will be held Sunday, November 2nd at the DoubleTree Hotel in Alsip.
Did you know GCS offers a recurring donation option? Your monthly donation helps form a predictable source of income we can count on to further our mission of empowering persons with intellectual disabilities through innovative and person-centered services. It’s the easiest way to give and ensure that Garden Center receives your ongoing support. Your recurring monthly donation means, together, we will provide the highest quality residential services and vocational training enabling those we serve to live full-lives of contribution. Setting up your recurring donation is simple. Just click the DONATE button on the Garden Center webpage. At the top of the donation form, under the donation amount, choose the “recurring donation” option. Then complete the form, sit back, and feel great knowing you are helping Garden Center make a difference in the lives of those we serve. If you would like to set up your recurring donation by phone, please contact Jennifer Georgis at 773-941-4151 ext. 218.
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October 2014
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First Friday at the Gallery 7pm to 9pm
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National Grandparents Day
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Recurring donations provide a predictable source of income for GCS
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45th Annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive
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Second Chance Super Sale 12pm to 4pm
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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
Daniel Wenzler
1st Vice President
Jenny Wojcik
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Treasurer
George Sterba
Secretary
Sharon Duncan
Members:
Annmarie Caulfield
park t at thed u o g in g n a n Adam hit urry frie w haf
Gerry popped in in for a visit
SAVE THE DATE!
Mary Beth Herr John J. Kunkes Sean O’Shea Linda Sherwood
Paul shows off his work at the Gallery
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.
SAVE A TREE ...AND GCS MONEY
JULY
2014
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Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
When you sign up to receive THE LEAFLET online
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
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.
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.
We need your help to cut postage costs! If you would like to continue to receive the GCS newsletter, please contact Sandi at scoleman@ gardencenterservices.org to receive your next issue via eMail. Page 2
GCS WALKS, ROLLS & RUNS Page 3
AROUND GCS Page 4
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.
Enjoy the newsletter, and have a great summer.
45th Annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive Sept. 19th & 20th
Sign Up for your spot today! Contact Sandi at 708.257.9556 or
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO
Lori Kosky Thank you!!!
for her generous donation of a large wooden loom and weaving equipment for the Garden Gallery weaving program