“Spring is also the perfect time for me to announce that Garden Center Services is purchasing a new house that will become home for six women. ”

2013 MARCH

THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR

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GCS FAMILY SPOTLIGHT

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LATEST FROM THE GALLERY

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AROUND GCS

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

HE LEAFLETTG a r d e n C e n t e r S e r v i c e s

A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The View From My Chair

Springtime in Chicago is an amazing period of growth and new beginnings as the outside world begins to blossom and burst forth. This spring, Garden Center Services is also sprouting exciting new opportunities that we hope will continue to improve the lives of the individuals we support.

In just a few short days, four of our artists from the Garden Gallery and Studio will inspire visitors that visit the 2013

Chicago Flower and Garden Show, “The Art

of Gardening”. Our

artists have partnered with professionals from the American Institute of Floral Designers to present an interpretive exhibit of master works of art. Come and enjoy an early taste of spring by visiting the Garden Gallery and Studio’s booth, #505. For ticket information visit www.chicagoflower.com.

Spring is also the perfect time for me to announce that Garden Center Services is purchasing a new house that will become home for six women. You can learn more about the new home on page 3 of the Leaflet. If your family, or another family you know, is at the point of considering having their loved one move into their own residential setting, please contact Cindy Haworth, Director of Operations, at 815-263-7419, to discuss this possibility.

We are busy working on exciting new changes within the day programs as well. Sheryl Kincincas, Director of Day Program Services, along with the staff that oversee the sites, Kim O’brien, Sarah Galvin, and Beth Kopf, are striving to improve our day training curriculum by offering our participants increased choices through enhanced adaptive technology, expanded vocational & volunteer opportunities, greater exposure to the expressive arts, and a more inviting environment.

Be aware that March is recognized as Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Awareness month. You can celebrate it by participating in one of the agency’s upcoming events, volunteering at one of our program sites, bringing in new work for our businesses, or connecting us to new friends. For information on any of these opportunities, please contact Jennifer Georgis at 773-941-4151 ext. 218.

Paul & Gerry

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’s DAY!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’s DAY!

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G C S B U S I N E S S C O R N E R

COFFEE Co.COFFEE Co..Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good

Annie has lived in the Berwyn home for over 20 years. She is a glass-is-half-full-sort-of gal frequently

saying, “I am having a good day!” and “I love everybody!”. Annie attends Garden Center’s day

program in Burbank where she enjoys puzzles, playing the xylophone and keyboard with our music

instructor, and making sure she gets to every dance and party she can.

Annie is Italian and LOVES her pasta. Her brother visits every Sunday and makes sure to bring her

favorite mostaccioli with him when he comes. Another thing Annie loves is to hear others whistle.

She will often ask friends to whistle something for her and is fond of saying, “I wish I could go

whistling down Dixie Lane!” Annie is also a pretty good arm wrestler and enjoys taking staff on

for a match now and then. But whatever she is up to, everyone who knows Annie agrees, she

has a gift for making people smile and laugh. We think that is a pretty great gift!

GCS Works! provides finishing services including gluing, tying, folding, labeling, collating, stamping, inserting, sealing, product attachment, packing, assembly of kits/bags, information packets/folders and more!

GCS Works! completes projects for various companies including Chicago Office Products, Burger King, Chicago Metallic Corporation, and Val-A Chicago.

Call us today and see what GCS Works! can do for your business. Elizabeth Etten

708-636-0054eEtten@GardenCenterServices.org

Sylvia joined the Garden Center family in August last year when she

started the Community Crew at Kedzie. She kept the group busy with

volunteer activities from delivering Meals on Wheels to caring for

animals at the local shelter. This January, when a Team Lead position

became available at the Austin house, Sylvia was ready for the

challenge. At Austin, Sylvia handles scheduling, plans menus, shops

for groceries, shovels snow and just about any other job you can

imagine. What does she think of her new position? “I love it! Love

it! The house is great...great guys who live here...great staff...it is a

pleasure to be here.”

Few people know that Sylvia has an alter ego, Pickles the clown.

Sylvia has clowned for several years in local circuses and for

annual International Clown Week. Although Sylvia’s new job keeps her pretty busy, she will be

clowning around this Sunday when she marches, as Pickles, in the Tinley Irish Day Parade with

Garden Gallery & Studio. Hope you can make it out to see Pickles in action!

GARDEN CENTER FAMILY SPOTLIGHT

Sylvia Wisniewski

Frank assembles ceiling installation parts for Chicago Metallic Corporation

Annie Pertucci

Do good when you shop...

Sylvia’s alter-ego, Pickles

CHICAGO FLOWER & GARDEN SHOWMarch 9th-March 17th at Navy Pier Chicago - visit Garden Gallery in booth #505

SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SUPER SALESunday, March 10th 12pm to 4pm at Second Chance Thrift Shoppe - 44 Stephen Street, Lemont

TINLEY PARK IRISH PARADESunday, March 10th 2pm on Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park - stop in Garden Gallery & Studio!

3rd ANNUAL GCS POTTING PARTYFriday, April 5th 7pm to 12am at Bourbon Street - 3359 W. 115th Street Merrionette Park

FIRST FRIDAY AT THE GALLERYFriday, April 5th 7pm to 9pm at Garden Gallery & Studio - 17459 S. Oak Park Avenue, Tinley

Garden Center Residents on the Move

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Mark your calendar...

needslist

• Computers

• Vacuum sweepers

• Books

• Event tickets

• Puzzles

• Games

• Art/Craft supplies

• Art frames

• Blank canvases

• CDs & players

• VHS/DVD players

• Exercise videos &

equipment

• Music instruments

• Digital cameras

• X-Box and Wii

games

• G a r d e n i n g

supplies

• Storage bins

• Storage cabinets

• Electric Stove

As a result of the Ligis Consent Decree, people

living in ICF-DDs who want to move into smaller

community settings now have the opportunity to

do just that. A group of five people living with Garden Center

have decided to take advantage of this amazing opportunity.

Celebrate Me Home!, a project set up to make this group’s

dream come true, has been working with Abide in Me, a

nonprofit dedicated to supporting people with developmental

disabilities, to raise money for the home. Garden Center is proud

to share that we have taken some big steps toward reaching this

goal. In February, Garden Center’s Board of Directors officially

voted on the purchase of a community home for the group. And

just over one week ago Garden Center put a bid on a beautiful

house in Oak Lawn.

We are grateful for the support of Abide in Me and Celebrate

Me Home! in helping Garden Center bring this dream to life for

those we support. Stay tuned to the Garden Center Facebook

page and newsletter for updates!

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e L i g i s C o n s e n t D e c r e e , v i s i t

w w w . d h s . s t a t e . i l . u s

Visit us at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show!

Garden Gallery & Studio will have a booth March 9th through 17th in the annual Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier. Visit us at Booth 505!

Amy & Jamee are two of the women who will move into the new home

CHICAGO FLOWER & GARDEN SHOWMarch 9th-March 17th at Navy Pier Chicago - visit Garden Gallery in booth #505

SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SUPER SALESunday, March 10th 12pm to 4pm at Second Chance Thrift Shoppe - 44 Stephen Street, Lemont

TINLEY PARK IRISH PARADESunday, March 10th 2pm on Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park - stop in Garden Gallery & Studio!

3rd ANNUAL GCS POTTING PARTYFriday, April 5th 7pm to 12am at Bourbon Street - 3359 W. 115th Street Merrionette Park

FIRST FRIDAY AT THE GALLERYFriday, April 5th 7pm to 9pm at Garden Gallery & Studio - 17459 S. Oak Park Avenue, Tinley

Our Booth# has changed

to 505

Garden Center Services is pleased to announce the results of the 2013 Board of Directors election: Doug Combs and John Kunkes were both re-elected to positions on the Board, and will be joined by the board’s newest member, Sean O’Shea.

Sean is a Wealth Management Consultant with Hallberg Financial in Oak Brook, and brings his experience of working in the financial services industry to the Board of Directors. Sean is a strong supporter of Garden Center Services helping to generate great interest in our programs and business enterprises. Sean recently helped form an alumni network for Marist High School, and this dynamic group is organizing this year’s Potting Party.

In announcing the election results, Executive Director Gerry Beagles said “We are grateful to each of the candidates for ‘throwing his hat into the ring,’ and for offering to serve Garden Center Services on its Board. Participation and engagement are the cornerstones of this organization. Garden Center Services could not exist without the tireless work of its volunteer Board of Directors. I extend a warm welcome to our newest board member, Sean O’Shea and thank our departing board member, Linda Stearns, for all her work over the past number of years.”

GCS Board Elections

Tim and Tim

Bob and Rusty try out a convertible

Great time at th

e Auto ShowAndy, Janet & Christine busy at Crochet Club

Video shoot for the International Down Syndrome Coalition

Elvis serenades Carol at Polish Fest Rolando, Kim & Liz having fun at State

Sophie with her painting for the Chicago Flower Show

Growing dignity and independence 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL 60459

phone 708.636.0054

email info@gardencenterservices.org

web www.gardencenterservices.org

President Daniel Wenzler

1st Vice President Scott Hardek

2nd Vice President Doug Combs

Treasurer R. Pat Ballis

Secretary Annmarie Caulfield

Members: John J. Kunkes

Sean O’Shea

Linda Sherwood

Sharon Duncan

Jenny Wojcik

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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.

Ian...man of many

hats...Sal