THIS MONTH’S ISSUE The View From My Chair
01
Garden Center Family Spotlight
02
GCS Community Crew
03
Around GCS
04
THE LEAFLET ISSUE SEP YEAR 2011
a message from our Executive director
The View From My Chair Following my commitment to keep you appraised of how we’re doing on implementation of the strategic plan, I’d like to tell you about our efforts to develop alternate revenue streams and how you can help us further decrease our dependence on state funding. Secure Document Shredding: We recently purchased an industrial shredder and shred our confidential documentation at a savings of $200 a month. We are looking for businesses that would consider Garden Center as their secure document shredding company.
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.
Garden Center Print Shop: This newsletter you’re reading is printed in-house and producing it creates meaningful work for the consumers that help in the process. We also complete print jobs for outside sources such as Chicago Office Products and the Burbank Chamber of Commerce. We would like your help in identifying other businesses or organizations for whom we could provide this service. Social Media: We’re increasing Garden Center’s exposure through the use of social media. Tell your family and friends about our website, Facebook page, and videos on YouTube. Right now on our website you will see tickets to an upcoming White Sox-Tigers game that can be purchased through an organization we have paired with called Tix4Cause. Garden Center receives revenue from each ticket sold. Printer Cartridge & Small Electronics Recycling: Garden Center has partnered with Think Recycle to generate income through recycling. We are currently involved in a contest that could earn Garden Center an additional $750 in funds.
If you or your business has items to recycle, you may drop them off at the receptacles at the Main or Wesbrook buildings or contact us to have a receptacle placed at your work site. Planned Giving: You have likely heard about Garden Center’s planned giving program. It provides an easy way to make a future donation to Garden Center. To learn more about our planned giving opportunities, please contact Michele Hula at (708) 398-6506. Residential Expansion: Residentially all beds are full. We have members who will need this service as well as outside referrals. Additionally, thoughtfully increasing the number of persons Garden Center supports has helped us be financially stable during this difficult economic time. We are purchasing an additional home and ask families considering residential services to contact us soon. We are also starting a new model of residential support called Host Family. This is where families invite a person with a disability to become a part of their home. If you know any young families or couples that might be interested, please let us know. Lastly, I love talking about Garden Center and the incredible people that attend our programs. I’m spending more of my time these days sharing our story with any individuals or companies that might consider supporting our cause. I would so appreciate you sharing with me. If you know of a business or organization that would be interested in learning more about GCS’s shredding, printing, or recycling services, or if you would like to talk with someone about another opportunity mentioned here, please email info@gardencenterservices.org. A 5 0 1 (c ) ( 3 ) N onpr o fit organi z atio n
Garden Center Family Spotlight Andy has been with Garden Center since 2005. What does he think of Garden Center? “I like the place!”, he says beaming. Andy lives with family and is very close to his three sisters. Those who know him best say Andy is outgoing and involved in nearly every activity there is at Garden Center. Andy says he especially enjoys the art and music classes. Andy is a diplomatic guy and doesn’t like to be around arguments. LaShawn, who gets to work with Andy at the Main Building, says “Andy is like the Mayor [of our room]. He keeps the peace.” Andy put his diplomatic skills to work when he was recently elected to the GCS Advisory Board. In this position, Andy makes sure GCS consumer’s voices are heard and their concerns addressed.
ANDY TORES
In his free time, Andy enjoys crossword puzzles, watching Pro Wrestling, and watching anything related to the Wizard of Oz.
Tammy has been an Qualified Human Services Professional (QHSP) with Garden Center since April 2010, but she has worked here a little longer than that. Four months before she started as a QHSP, Tammy was finishing up her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Saint Xavier University. She needed to find a place to do her internship. Tammy didn’t have to look far, our Wesbrook location is across the street from her house!
TAMMY INGRAFFIA
Tammy started her internship in a classroom at Wesbrook and loved being here. “Coming to work everyday and everyone being excited to see you... it’s a great feeling!”, she says. So after graduation, Tammy decided to stay on at Garden Center. In her free time (after her arduous, daily commute), Tammy finds time for one of her favorite things, photography. Tammy took some photography classes in college and enjoys putting that knowledge to work by taking photos at Garden Center events.
Garden Center’s Resident Artist Wins Award In Tinley Park’s recent Benches on the Avenue contest, GCS’s art teacher, Beth Kopf, took first place in the First Time Artist category. Beth received a trophy and a cash award for her bench, The Land of the Free. The public artwork program, which began in May and runs through October 1st, features handcrafted benches in the village’s downtown corridor along Oak Park Avenue, between 172nd and 176th streets. Beth’s bench, sponsored by Gatto’s Restaurant & Bar will remain on display through October 1st. Garden Center Artists also entered a bench this year titled Pie Eating Contest. Their bench, sponsored by Sam’s Club, will also be on display through the remainder of the month. Congratulations to all of our artists!
GCS Community Crew Making a Difference
Garden Center’s NEEDS List
Two years ago, GCS started our Community Crew. This group goes out in the community making the world a better place one volunteer site at a time. With eight volunteer sites, they are pretty busy!
Pool table
Large flower pots Picnic tables Zoo passes
At The Children’s Museum of Oak Lawn, the Crew straightens up play areas and sanitizes the The Community Crew: children’s toys. The Crew also Jamie, Robert, Steven, Bob, Adam, and Jill (not pictured) visits the Hanson Center Farm, where they sanitize riding helmets for the therapeutic riding program and rake the horse’s stalls. At Debra’s Place women’s shelter, the Crew does office work including shredding and stuffing envelopes. Sometimes the group even heads outside to pull some weeds in the flower beds. For Pryme Tymers seniors group, the Crew sets up lunch and cleans up afterward. At Ronald McDonald House, the crew bakes up something sweet for families of ill children. For the Traveling Food Circus food depository, the group bags food for families in need. The Crew also has their own Meals on Wheels route, which was so popular another GCS group started a route of their own! In the summer, the Crew took on an Oak Lawn Adopt a Flower Bed project where they planted flowers and weeded the bed throughout the summer. A recent survey of volunteer sites showed great satisfaction with the group’s work. One respondent reported how much her site especially appreciated the “Great consistency in [the group’s] work!” With the success of the Community Crew Group, we expect to expand the program in the future. If you have any ideas and/or connections with sites that we might be able to volunteer with, please email Sheila Ryan-Henry at sryan-henry@ gardencenterservices.org.
GCS BULLETIN BOARD Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive Date: Friday Sept. 16th and Saturday Sept. 17th Time: 6am-6pm Details: We need as many volunteers as possible to help collect donations at various checkpoints in the Burbank area- we receive our share of donations based on how many volunteers we have so tell you family, friends, neighbors to come out for a couple hours! Contact Michele Hula if interested in volunteering, or for more details (708) 398-6506.
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
Living room set
If you have an item to donate, please email Anne McFerron at amcferron@gardencenterservices.org
nual GCS 55th An w h Fashion S o
Date: Nov. 6th Time: 12 - 4pm ree hotel in Alsip, IL blet If you have an item to donate, Location: Dou
y ad kets, bu ticemail please Anne McFerron at To purchase amcferron@gardencenterservices.org book, or ad e th in e spac lent m for the si donate an ite le he ic se call M auction plea 06 398-65 Hula at 708-
AROUND GCS Where we grow
dignity and
independence phone 708.636.0054 email info@gardencenterservices.org web www.gardencenterservices.org
Board of Directors President
Barbara Clarke
1st Vice President
Scott Hardek
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Treasurer
R. Pat Ballis
Members:
John J. Kunkes
Mary shows off her freshly manicured nails
Maureen visits Plush Horse ice cream parlour
Frances Mientus Linda Stearns Daniel Wenzler
Eddie and Kristy share a laugh
Michael & Liz at the Beach Boys concert
Inday & Tim strike a pose
Steven, Kelly Jo, Chris, and Tracey pause their game for a photo op
Debbie gets her wish to see a musical
Melissa & Tracey smile for the camera
Impo rt ant Date s! Se ptem be r 16th & Knigh ts of Columbu
Novembe r 6t h
17th
s Too tsie Roll Dr ive
Sh 55th Annual Fashion
ow
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