THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

Call me crazy, but I’m already thinking Spring! Though it’s only late February and I realize we could get a lot more winter weather, I am so ready for the warm sunshine and daffodils.

Inside the newsletter you’ll find a story about “Snowmageddon 2011”, and how the agency dealt with the recent blizzard. I just wanted to personally express my gratitude to those employees, both managers and direct care staff, that traveled in very hazardous conditions and/or worked very long hours, to staff our homes and provide support to the individuals we care for.

One rite of Spring that is not so pleasant is the yearly devastation inflicted on persons with developmental disabilities and the agencies that support them by the Illinois legislature.

Once again we find ourselves struggling with the anxiety and anger over yet another proposed cut in the funding of our already underfunded services.

If the Governor’s recommended 6% cut in Medicaid rates was to pass, our agency

would stand to lose over $300,000. How many of our consumers would no longer be able to attend Garden Center Services, and what is the impact on them and their families?

Each year we combat these assaults on our financial stability through the advocacy of our families and the Associations our agency belongs to. Once again I am asking all of you to contact your legislators and

make them aware of how your lives would be effected if your loved one was not at Garden Center.

Below is contact information for Speaker Madigan and Sen. Steven M. Landek’s Offices. Thank you for sharing your story with them.

Speaker Michael J. Madigan300 Capitol BuildingSpringfield, IL 62706

217.782.5350

Senator Steven M. LandekM113 Capitol BuildingSpringfield, IL 62706

217.782.0054

THE LEAFLET

OUR MISSION

Garden Center Services’ mission is to do everything in

our power to improve the lives of people

with developmental disabilities.

The View From My Chair

Garden Center Family Spotlight

Snowmageddon Hits Garden

Around Garden Center

01020304

ISSUE FEB YEAR 2011

A MESSAGE FrOM OUr ExECUTIVE dIrECTOr

A 501(C)(3) NONpROFIT ORGANIzATION

The View From My Chair

If the Governor’s recommended 6% cut in Medicaid rates was to pass, our agency would stand to lose

over $300,000.

“

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La’Shawn Jones works at Garden Center’s main building as a Direct Support professional. She started with the agency on September 11, 2009. prior to joining Garden Center, La’Shawn worked at a school for children with developmental disabilities and loved it. She knew the field would be her career, but the school was quite far from her home, so when she saw an ad for an opening at Garden Center she decided to “check it out”. “Once I did”, she says, “I made a whole new family!”

La’Shawn was born and raised on Chicago’s Southwest side. She recently moved her family a little closer to Garden Center and now has a short drive to work. La’Shawn has two sons; a 21 year old with a family of his own and her 17 year-old who will be graduating high school soon. La’Shawn loves spending time with her family and is excited about her 17 year-old son’s upcoming graduation. She also loves dancing and all kinds of music. La’Shawn says her group at Garden Center keeps the music going all day which really adds to the joy in her room. The thing she loves most about her job is laughing. “We laugh all day long and talk about everything. We have a saying [in our group]. I say, I love you like a brother and they say I love you like a sister.” Well, we love you too La’Shawn. Thank you for sharing your many gifts with us.

LA‘SHAWN JONES

Carla attends Garden Center’s Burbank Day program and lives in one of Garden Center’s CILA homes. Her wish was to be a model for the day. Carla started her big day at the mall shopping for a few accessories. Then she headed to a salon for hair styling. After getting her tresses just so, Carla had her make-up done and was off to the Picture People for her photo shoot. Carla was a natural behind the camera and was a pro through it all, including her many wardrobe changes. The day was sponsored through a friend of a staff member. Styling, makeup and the photo shoot were complimentary, and the Picture People generously gave Carla the photos. It was a great day!

Wishes Come True at Garden Center

Garden Center Family SpotlightMelissa Whitehouse joined the ranks at Garden Center’s Vocational program this past November. She was surprised and excited to reconnect with many buddies from her high school days who are also at Garden Center. Her friends, new and old, say Melissa is “fun-loving”, “easy to get along with”, and “fun to be around”. Melissa lives with her family in Burbank. She loves collecting Barbie and Hello Kitty memorabilia. One of her favorite things, however, is the High School Musical movies whose posters she keeps in her room.

Melissa has been busy with several projects since coming to Garden Center including her work on the Adopt a Platoon Troop Kit, in which she helps put together hygiene kits for military servicemen and women. She has also been involved in making men’s travel kits and regularly works on our Burger King account adding labels to packaging for restaurant use.

Even though Melissa has only been with Garden Center for a short time, she is already an important part of our family. Welcome Melissa, we are glad you are here!

MELISSA WHITEHOUSE

In 2010, Garden Center started the “Wishlist”. Participants share one dream they have for the year and Garden Center staff do everything in their power to make those wishes come true.

Carla strikes a pose

The February blizzard proved to be the 3rd snowiest on record with over 20 inches of snow falling in Chicago. Most businesses were closed, but Garden Center was going strong. Garden Center home managers did an excellent job of preparing for the storm ensuring homes were well-stocked with provisions. On Tuesday evening, driving was becoming so treacherous that some Garden Center staff worked together to arrange carpools to make it in for

their shifts.

On Wednesday, conditions were severe and most could not move their cars. For those who could drive to their worksite, there was no place to park their vehicle. Again, Garden Center staff stepped up. Berwyn Home Manager, Yvonne Krcmar, drove her 4-wheel drive to pick-up and drop-off staff. Many other staff called wanting to come in, but had no transportation. Although he couldn’t pick up everyone; from 7am until

10pm Wednesday evening, Gerry Beagles, Executive Director, drove to staff homes transporting them to and from their worksites, making his way all over the Chicagoland area from Harvey to downtown Chicago. Other staff who found a willing cab driver took cabs in to work. One dedicated staff person, Fatai Otokiti, WALKED to the Moody CILA for his shift. Another staff person, Tabatha Martin, worked at her site from Tuesday night until Thursday morning. On Thursday, Day

program staff took the baton and supported people in the CILA homes. Staff who braved the blizzard were given a T-Shirt that says “We Plowed Through for Garden Center”.

We are so proud of the excellent Garden Center staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the needs of the people they serve were met. Thank you!!!

Snowmageddon Hits Garden Center

Carla attends Garden Center’s Burbank Day program and lives in one of Garden Center’s CILA homes. Her wish was to be a model for the day. Carla started her big day at the mall shopping for a few accessories. Then she headed to a salon for hair styling. After getting her tresses just so, Carla had her make-up done and was off to the Picture People for her photo shoot. Carla was a natural behind the camera and was a pro through it all, including her many wardrobe changes. The day was sponsored through a friend of a staff member. Styling, makeup and the photo shoot were complimentary, and the Picture People generously gave Carla the photos. It was a great day!

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 dues

GArdEN CENTEr’S

NEEdS LIST

Staff pose with their “We Plowed through for Garden Center” shirts.

In 2010, Garden Center started the “Wishlist”. Participants share one dream they have for the year and Garden Center staff do everything in their power to make those wishes come true.

AROUND GARDEN CENTER

Garden Center Services8333 Austin AvenueBurbank, IL 60459

WHErE WE GrOW dIGNITy ANd INdEpENdENCE

phone 708.636.0054

email info@gardencenterservices.org

web www.gardencenterservices.org

Scott poses by a sculpture outside of the Shedd Aquarium

Jane and Liz share a hug

George and Deborah take a moment to smile for the camera

BOArd OF dIrECTOrS

president Barbara Clarke Vice president Scott Hardek Secretary Linda Stearns Treasurer r. pat Ballis

Members: doug Combs John J. Kunkes Frances MientusShelly Scinto daniel Wenzler

Non-profit Org.U.S. postage

pAIdpermit No. 89Oak Lawn, IL

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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