THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

Welcome to this January 2011 newsletter, and this New Year! Let me begin by thanking you on behalf of myself, and the agency’s Board of Directors, for your interest and support during the last year. As you know, even in the midst of this economic downturn and inadequate funding from the state of Illinois, it remains our commitment to provide the most individualized, compassionate services possible.

A reflection of that commitment is the work that has been done recently on the development of a multi-year strategic plan for Garden Center Services, ensuring that our agency is financially and programmatically prepared to meet the current and future needs of the individuals we serve. This newsletter, which will come out monthly, is one component of our strategic plan that places great importance on clear and timely communication. I will be sharing additional information with you about the plan through this newsletter, our website (www.gardencenterservices.org), our Facebook page, Twitter account, YouTube channel, and at the monthly membership meetings.

I’m sure many, maybe most of you, have concerns about the recent tax hike, passed by the legislature and governor. If it’s any consolation, I would share with you that without the tax hike things were looking very, very bleak for agencies such as ours, and the funding attached to persons with

developmental disabilities. In fact, communiqués from the professional associations we belong to referenced that a number of disability providers would go under without the additional revenue generated by the increase. It seems this means disability services will survive, but that we will surely continue to have an uphill battle

to receive any increases to cover our cost of doing business.

In closing, I ask that we focus on the positive experiences that occur daily at the agency and in our lives. I see many of the people we support enjoying new ways of expressing themselves, establishing new friendships, exploring greater exposure to the larger community, and gaining an increased belief in themselves and their abilities. That’s what it’s all about.

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

Bright Future for GCS Artists

Around Garden Center

01020304

ISSUE JAN YEAR 2011

A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

The View From My Chair

I’m sure many, maybe most of you, have

concerns about the recent tax hike...

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Joanne Hammes works with us in the Wesbrook Day Program. She joined Garden Center just last summer, but is already an essential member of our team. What brought her here? She really loves the people. Her favorite day so far was accompanying someone on their “wish” to go downtown to the American Girl store. “It was an amazing day!” she beams. Joanne is very creative and recently finished a pottery class. Before Garden Center, Joanne worked as a pastry chef and cake decorator. We experienced her amazing culinary talents at the agency’s recent Holiday Bazaar, where Joanne’s Christmas candy boxes were a real hit!

Joanne was born and raised in Rockford, IL and is the youngest of three sisters. She’s loves being an aunt to her niece and nephew and is looking forward to another one on the way. Her favorite television shows are Arrested Development, Dexter, and How I Met Your Mother. Her favorite book is Pride and Prejudice.

We welcome Joanne to the Garden Center family and look forward to lots of creative ideas for integrating her baking and culinary gifts into our programs.

JOANNE HAMMES

Melissa is a young lady who loves hair, nails, and the overall fashion scene. It came as no surprise that her wish was to participate in a cosmetology class. On March 5th, 2010 her wish was fulfilled thanks to Beth Kopf, the Garden Center Art Instructor. Beth’s daughter, Jamie Kopf, was enrolled in the John Amico School of Hair Design. Through this connection, Melissa was given the opportunity to spend the entire day at the school. Melissa worked with a mannequin washing, drying, and straightening it’s hair several times until her technique was polished. She also studied the procedure for a perfect manicure. At the end of the day, Melissa was presented with a diploma and took pictures with several of her new friends from the school. Of the experience Melissa said, “I learned a real lot and I am so glad my wish came true”.

Wishes Come True at Garden Center

Garden Center Family SpotlightSue O’Malley lives in her own apartment in Burbank, IL. She was born in Georgia and grew up as one of nine children in a military family. Now, Sue is a true Southsider who loves her Irish/Dutch heritage. She says she even has a wooden shoe! True to her Southside roots, Sue loves sports and eating ribs.

Sue has a rich faith life. She enjoys spending time with her friends from SPREAD (Special Religious Development) and loves to go to church with her sister. Sue also enjoys traveling and recently took a vacation to the Wisconsin Dells where she says she had a “lovely time”. Sue’s life has been further enhanced by her new boyfriend, Mike. She’s looking forward to their first Valentine’s Day together. Her dream date is going to a fancy restaurant for a candlelit meal with Mike and her staff. Other dreams are to go to the horse races and to win the lottery. Sue’s got a lot of big plans for her future that include learning volleyball, soccer, scuba diving and poker playing!

Sue loves her staff and says they are “real sweet”. She is a confident, courageous, high spirited woman, and we think she is real sweet too.

SUE O’MALLEY

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.

Beth and Melissa

It has been two years since Beth Koph, Garden Center’s resident artist, began an art class for people attending the agency’s programs. What started as a handful of people painting for fun in a

cramped office has grown into a program that employs the creative process to improve and

enhance the mental, physical and emotional well-being of all involved. The strides participants in the program have made in developing interpersonal skills, reducing stress, and increasing self-esteem and self-awareness has been remarkable. The biggest value to participants, however, has been creating a new avenue of self-expression for those who have had no voice. “I paint. It makes me feel good.”, says Rolando, one of Garden Center’s most popular artists.

The work of our artists is starting to be noticed. This past October, Garden Center artists visited Lewis University where their art was featured in the Lewis Caterpillar Gallery during the Celebrating Local Artists Series. Garden Center artists gave a talk to Lewis students and toured the University studios. The visit was well received and there are plans in the works for the two groups to collaborate in the future.

Last month, Garden Center’s artists moved out of their cramped office into the larger employee break room, but that is only a temporary home. Work is already underway on the next phase of the art program. In 2011, Garden Center will open Garden Gallery in downtown Tinley Park. Garden Gallery will house a studio for Garden Center artists with an area to showcase their work, as well as the work of other community artists.

If you, your local church or civic group may be interested in supporting this project, or if you would like to donate supplies or share your creative talents with our artists, please call 708-636-0054 and ask for Beth Koph.

A Bright Future for Garden Center Artists

Melissa is a young lady who loves hair, nails, and the overall fashion scene. It came as no surprise that her wish was to participate in a cosmetology class. On March 5th, 2010 her wish was fulfilled thanks to Beth Kopf, the Garden Center Art Instructor. Beth’s daughter, Jamie Kopf, was enrolled in the John Amico School of Hair Design. Through this connection, Melissa was given the opportunity to spend the entire day at the school. Melissa worked with a mannequin washing, drying, and straightening it’s hair several times until her technique was polished. She also studied the procedure for a perfect manicure. At the end of the day, Melissa was presented with a diploma and took pictures with several of her new friends from the school. Of the experience Melissa said, “I learned a real lot and I am so glad my wish came true”.

Second Chance Thrift Shoppe, located at 44 Stephen Street in Lemont, Illinois is alive and well. Proceeds of the store, run by Bonnie and Ron Nalepa with 60 volunteers, benefit Garden Center Services. In the current economic climate, Garden Center would have found it much more difficult to provide the quality services we strive for without the store’s added income.

Second Chance is known for it’s low cost, excellent quality items and has been featured in several local news articles since it opened its doors in 2009.

STORE HOURS: 10am-4pmOpen until 7pm on ThursdaysClosed Sundays

Donations are accepted at the side of the building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Please call ahead for large items. Phone 630-243-1279

BUSINESS IS BOOMING AT SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE

Leslie Colonna, Lewis University, shares her student’s work with GCS artists.

Nick poses by his painting in the Caterpillar Gallery.

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.

Creativity is allowing yourself to make

mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.

Scott Adams

(American Cartoonist)

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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

Michael and Liz enjoy a break.

Catherine and Joanne pose for the camera.

Steven and Jill do some gardening at Wesbrook.

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

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