THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

Given this is the April newsletter, hopefully we’ll begin to have those 60 degree, sunny days that renew our own energy and our awareness of the small signs of growth around us. Certainly markers of progress are present at the agency as we strive to improve the activities and experiences we are able to offer our participants.

A few examples that lay bare the short, green shoots of our efforts are as follows:

• Full time art instruction program• Music appreciation, participation, and lessons• Hiring a full time staff & volunteer recruitment specialist• Additional day program administrative staff• An agency Weight Watcher’s program for consumers & staff

These are just some of the enhancements that are being put into place to support the Agency’s mission and our strategic planning process.

It is the governor’s proposed rate cuts and the efforts necessary to combat such heinous actions that are taking up much of my time. It was because of the phone calls and letters from advocates like you throughout Illinois that the state backed

away from implementing any cuts during this fiscal year. However, if they follow through with the 6% decrease beginning July 1st, we would lose over $300,000, and have to make some very difficult choices. Therefore, do not let up on your contacts with the legislators for your area. If you need any clarification of who they are, just call the agency.

Just as we’re preparing to experience a season of growth, we have certainly had

our encounters with death & loss over the recent months. A number of parent/guardians, some of whom which were very involved with the founding or upholding of the agency, have passed on. It has made me keenly aware of the fragileness of life, and of how imperative it is that we sense urgency about creating fulfilling lives for those we serve, and ourselves.

THE LEAFLET

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.

The View From My Chair

Garden Center Family Spotlight

Someone You Should Know

Friends of Garden Center

01020304

ISSUE APR YEAR 2011

a MESSaGE FrOM OUr ExECUTIVE dIrECTOr

A 501(C)(3) NoNPRoFIT oRGANIzATIoN

The View From My Chair

It has made me keenly aware of the

fragileness of life, and of how imperative it is that we sense

urgency about creating fulfilling lives for those we serve,

and ourselves.

“

”

Francis DeCastro joined Garden Center in November of 2009 as a QHSP. He is an avid bicyclist and has regularly participated in organized rides such as the famous Friends of the Parks Late R.I.D.E. since 2005. A few years ago, Francis completed his longest organized ride to date in the Apple Cider Century Ride where he rode an amazing 62 miles!

Francis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who, prior to joining the Garden Center team, had been a counselor for at-risk youth for over 10 years. Growing up in the area, Francis was aware of Garden Center’s programs in the community and one day decided to stop in. He hadn’t planned on applying, but when the receptionist asked if he wanted to fill out an application he thought, “What have I got to lose?” one year and six months later, he is glad he did.

Now, Francis is preparing to take on a new role at Garden Center, although it is a familiar one for him. Francis will be Garden Center’s new agency counselor, providing counselling services for Garden Center program participants. This will be a fantastic new support for the people we serve and we are excited to have someone with Francis’ experience to head it up. From all of us at Garden Center, Francis, we are glad you stopped in!

FRANCIS DECASTRO

Second Chance Thrift Shoppe in Lemont is a Garden Center social enterprise run by Bonnie and Ron Nalepa, a couple of paid staff, and a host of volunteers. The proceeds from the business help provide supplies for Garden Center’s programs. But our friends at Second Chance Thrift Shoppe and their customers don’t stop there. During Jewel osco’s recent Professional Cookware for a Penny promotion, Second Chance Thrift Shoppe’s loyal customers went to work saving and bringing in the stickers required to purchase the pans for Garden Center. Some customers were so excited to help they went to the store even when they say they didn’t really need anything. Soon the Thrift Shoppe had amassed enough stickers to purchase over two boxes full pots and pans for Garden Center’s homes and programs.

This past month Thrift Shoppe customers were at it again and as a result of the extraordinary proceeds from a Super Sale, Second Chance Thrift Shoppe was able to purchase new exercise equipment for Garden Center’s Wesbrook program.

Second Chance Thrift Shoppe Customers Give More!

Garden Center Family SpotlightRay Dooley lives in one of Garden Center’s homes in Berwyn. He grew up in the area and is glad to have found a home of his own near his mom and sister. Ray attends Garden Center’s Wesbrook Day Program. People who know Ray best say, “He is always smiling and joking around. He’s got a great sense of humor”.

Ray keeps busy during the day working on various contract work projects and especially enjoys helping assemble hygiene kits for military servicemen and women. Ray can also always be counted on to hang decorations for whatever holiday is coming up next. He keeps busy outside of Wesbrook too. Ray enjoys taking a cruise around town, is anenthusiastic dancer, and a Toy Story aficionado.

Ray has a lot of friends here. When I asked one of his closest pals, Perry, what he liked most about Ray he said, “Everything!” He was quick to add, “I love him!” Well, we agree with Perry. We think you’re pretty great too, Ray!

RAY DOOLEY

Chrissie shows off new workout weights purchased by Second

Chance Thrift Shoppe

We first met Dave Rauen about two years ago when purchasing chairs from the Chicago office Products Company where Dave has worked for over 25 years. After that initial meeting, Dave brought Garden Center a contracting job in which Garden Center consumers package monthly flyers with candy for his company. “They do a fantastic job. I don’t know if they ever make mistakes!”, Dave said when remarking on the quality of Garden Center’s contract workers. “They are so efficient and the work they do is so valuable. It is a privilege and a pleasure to be associated with them.” one of the things Dave loves most about visiting Garden Center, which he does often, is spending time with people. “once I was talking with the staff person who was accepting my order and Tim (a GCS consumer) came up to me and gave me a hug. It was probably the nicest thing that had happened to me in a month! It just made me feel good.”

on one of Dave’s visits to Garden Center, he noticed the tables in the workshop were in bad condition and that is when Dave began replacing those tables himself, one table at a time. Dave has also supported Garden Center through donations to Garden Center’s Wishlist program and even brought in Subway sandwiches for the crew in the workshop!

Dave was a little hesitant to have this article in the newsletter preferring instead to give to Garden Center “without any fanfare”. He played down his role and said of the Garden Center staff. “I admire them. They have dedicated their lives to helping others. For me to pitch in a little, I am the one who gets rewarded.” Well Dave we couldn’t help just a little fanfare -

Thank you for all you do for us!

Someone You Should Know

Second Chance Thrift Shoppe in Lemont is a Garden Center social enterprise run by Bonnie and Ron Nalepa, a couple of paid staff, and a host of volunteers. The proceeds from the business help provide supplies for Garden Center’s programs. But our friends at Second Chance Thrift Shoppe and their customers don’t stop there. During Jewel osco’s recent Professional Cookware for a Penny promotion, Second Chance Thrift Shoppe’s loyal customers went to work saving and bringing in the stickers required to purchase the pans for Garden Center. Some customers were so excited to help they went to the store even when they say they didn’t really need anything. Soon the Thrift Shoppe had amassed enough stickers to purchase over two boxes full pots and pans for Garden Center’s homes and programs.

This past month Thrift Shoppe customers were at it again and as a result of the extraordinary proceeds from a Super Sale, Second Chance Thrift Shoppe was able to purchase new exercise equipment for Garden Center’s Wesbrook program.

Second Chance Thrift Shoppe Customers Give More!

New dishesFlat screen TVBookshelfEntertainment centerNew bath towelsVacuum cleaner & attachmentsNew gardening toolsLaptop computersCraft suppliesWall art Frames for artworkBlank canvasesKitchen table & chairsX-Box & dance gamesLiving room setXbox KinectGym Memberships or passesAssistance with club duesPianoLiving Room Set

GardEN CENTEr’S

NEEdS LIST

Dave visits with Becca during a recent visit to Garden Center

THANK YoU!If you have an item to donate, please email Anne McFerron at amcferron@gardencenterservices.org

FRIENDS oF GARDEN CENTERWHErE 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 CombsSecretary Shelly ScintoTreasurer r. pat Ballis

Members: John J. Kunkes Frances MientusLinda Stearns daniel Wenzler

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http://twitter.com/gardencentersrv

http://www.youtube.com/user/gardencenterservices

$1,500-$2,000• JAMES o’DoNNELL MEMoRIAL FUND

$1,000 - $1,499• ILLINoIS STATE CoUNCIL• T. John Nemec

$500 - $999• LoCAL UNIoN 705• oAK LAWN HoG CHAPTER• PPM AMERICA INC.• KRAFT FooDS FoUNDATIoN• FRIENDS oF ATHLETES FRoM

MARQUETTE PARK• Gretchen Winter

$100 - $499• UNITED WAY oF CENTRAL ILLINoIS• Hugh & Mary Schmuttenmaer• MT. zIoN LUTHERAN CHURCH• Carly Newbold• Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Cegielski• Elsa Heinemann• Jennifer Schindl• Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Combs -

MEMORIALS FOR JOHN KASPRYZK & MARY ANN BEAGLES

• Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Axium - MEMORIAL

• Charles & Leigh Schmuttenmaer• Henry Lambke• Dorothy Ballis• Irene Fox• Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Nalepa -

MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• Donna Barnicle - MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• Jacqueline Warkentein - MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• Rick Russell - MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• Raymond G. Sierakowski• Gary Duncan• Kevin P.D. Cronin -

IN HONOR OF COLEEN O’GRADY

• Lila Helme• Catherine Conway• Deborah Conway

Up to $99• Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Hoteko -

MEMORIAL FOR DEAN STOVER

• Beatrice Ramirez• Mildred Fitzgerald -

MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• Joanne o’Halloren - MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• William Ramsden - MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• Caryl Brown - MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

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• John Staib - MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Conway• Grace Kramp -

MEMORIAL FOR ED BEDNARCZYK

• Pryme Tymers,• M. Quinn and B. owens• Mr. & Mrs. Steve Cyga -

MEMORIAL FOR BLANCHE STASIAK

• Robert E. Spain - IN HONOR OF BILL OWENS

• Penny Willis - MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• Alice Myers• James ouellette• Judith C. Brinkman• Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hilliard• Shelly Scinto• Jane Warkentien -

MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• Linda Stearns -MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• Jan Porter - MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• Barbara Clarke - MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

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• Mary Ramsden - MEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• oAK LAWN HoMEToWN SCHooL PTAMEMORIAL FOR ED. BEDNARCZYK

• Harris, Sheila• Mr. & Mrs. Edward Bednarczyk -

MEMORIAL FOR RAMONA MATTER

• Daniel Kandich• Pat Hannigan -

MEMORIAL FOR ED BEDNARCZYK

• Blanche Baley - MEMORIAL FOR ED BEDNARCZYK

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MEMORIAL FOR ED BEDNARCZYK