“In an effort to improve both the agency’s quality of services and our financial bottom line, we have recently filled a few administrative positions ”

2013February

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

A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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

The View From My Chair

It may seem odd to talk about Spring when we’re dealing with the ice and cold of a February morning, but I find my mind is really focused on the coming season of new growth and possibilities because of all the enhancements occurring at our agency.

In an effort to improve both the agency’s quality of services and our financial bottom line, we have recently filled a few administrative positions to continue our dedicated commitment to Garden Center Services’ mission statement:

Ralph Storino, who has 18 years experience

overseeing the financial matters of social service agencies, is now our Director of Fiscal Management. Jill Smith, who has been with the agency for over 23 years, has moved into the position of Chief Accountant. Jennifer Georgis, an experienced fund development professional, has been brought on to direct our Fund Development Program. Ralph, Jill and Jennifer are officed at the Kedzie location and can be reached at 773-941-4151.

Given that the Business Office is now located at the Kedzie building, in addition to Fund Development and Human Resources, it made sense that my office would be located there as well. Cindy Haworth, Director of Operations, has moved into my old office at State & Austin.

I also wanted to mention that Sheryl Kincinas, who has done an admirable job of administrating the

two Intermediate Care Facilities for the past five years, is now going to use her management skills in her new role as Director of Day Program Services. Kathleen Proffitt, at the Burbank ICF/DD, and Megan Wren, at the Berwyn ICF/DD will now fulfill the roles of Qualified Health Service Professional and Administrator for their respective sites. There have been some other internal moves as well and information about all the changes will be communicated in a separate mailing in the near future.

I had also wanted to mention the efforts and activities undertaken by our devoted Board of Directors. A lot of time and energy has been sacrificed by these individuals to establish a strategic plan for the agency, and to develop those guidelines and committees which will provide support to myself and the executive team to reach our goals. Please be sure to join me in thanking the board for their dedicated service.

Please enjoy this newsletter and reading about all the good things going on at your agency!

Sal & Gerry

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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

Jackie has been with Garden Center since 2002. She helps in the special needs room where she takes

care of tasks like washing the laundry and helping room members with their lunches and activities.

Jackie also makes time to attend Garden Center’s Literacy Group. She says she enjoys reading and

especially liked the book The Boxcar Children.

Jackie grew up in Justice, IL where her family still lives. She loves sports and in her spare time plays

basketball and baseball with the local park district teams and enjoys bowling with her family.

Second Chance Thrift Shoppe has been supporting Garden Center since it was opened

by Bonnie and Ron Nalepa in 2008. The Thrift Shoppe is a great financial support to

Garden Center as payments from the State of Illinois continue to become even more

delinquent. The Thrift Shoppe and Garden Center need your help. Donations are at an

all-time low and we need great things to sell!

If you have been thinking about cleaning out

your garage or attic now is the time to do it.

Second Chance Thrift Shoppe will find a great

home for your old belongings and earn money

to support Garden Center at the same time.

Items for donation can be dropped off at Second Chance Thrift Shoppe

44 Stephen Street in Lemont Monday-Saturday 10:00am-3:30pmThursday 10:00am-6:30pm

Like us on Facebook!w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m /SecondChanceThriftShoppe

Pam Kennedy joined the Garden Center family in October 2011. She is an LPN with experience in hospital

settings as well as home health. Pam works with Garden Center’s RN, Terry Viebach, to provide health

care services for everyone Garden Center serves. Pam has many responsibilities including training staff

on health related topics of those they support, completing medical assessments, checking medication,

attending medical appointments when needed and monitoring the overall health of those we serve. Pam

grew up on the Southside. She says she finds her job at Garden Center “challenging and rewarding”

adding that what she loves most is “the smiles and the greetings you get everyday. It is like no other

job!”

When Pam is not at Garden Center, she enjoys bike riding, exercising, music and especially spending

time with her family. Pam has three grown boys. Her youngest is in the Air Force, her middle son

works for British Petroleum, and her oldest is in the restaurant industry.

GARDEN CENTER FAMILY SPOTLIGHT

Pam Kennedy

Jackie Mullen

Second Chance is run almost entirely by a dedicated army of volunteers

Do good when you shop...

The Latest from Garden Gallery & Studio

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Remember to use iGive for your Valentine Day

Shopping!

visit www.iGive.com/GardenCenter

to learn how you can help Garden Center

when you shop online.

Mark your calendar...

needslist

• Computers

• Vacuum sweepers

• Books

• Event tickets

• Puzzles

• Games

• A r t / C r a f t

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

Last Sunday the owners of Andersonville Kitchen &

Bath, Maja and Ognjen Guzina, hosted an art sale

and auction of Garden Gallery artist’s work in their

Chicago showroom. It was a great success! Garden Gallery sold nine paintings

earning over $1,200 for the artists and gallery. Didn’t get a chance to make it?

Don’t worry we are already planning a future show and sale for the summer. We

will keep you posted!

Nick poses with a p

atron who

purchased on

e of his paint

ingsArtists take a moment to relax

A n d e r s o n v i l l e K i t c h e n a n d B a t h5 0 3 8 N o r t h C l a r k S t r e e t C h i c a g o , I L 6 0 6 4 0

Did You Know?This March 9th through 17th

is the annual Chicago Flower

and Garden Show at Navy Pier

and Garden Gallery & Studio

will be front and center! This

past summer the President of Flower Show Productions, Tony Abruscato, who puts on the event saw Karen Meyer’s

report on ABC 7 about the gallery. Tony contacted us and after a meeting, he invited our artists to create four works

based on paintings by masters. Our artist’s work will be interpreted by experts from The American Institute of Floral

Designers into beautiful floral arrangements. In addition to this honor, Garden Gallery will also have a booth in

the exhibit hall (#409) where we will be able to share our story and sell our wares! We hope you will stop by and

visit us! Learn more about the event at http://www.chicagoflower.com.

Genia poses with her painting and the store owners

Come see Garden Gallery & Studio march in the Tinley Park Irish

Parade on Sunday, March 10th!

FIRST FRIDAY AT THE GALLERYFriday, March 1st 7pm to 9pm at Garden Gallery & Studio - 17459 S. Oak Park Avenue, Tinley

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

GCS MEMBERSHIP MEETING & ELECTIONFriday, February 22nd 7pm at GCS Main Building - 8333 S. Austin Ave., Burbank

CHICAGO FLOWER & GARDEN SHOWMarch 9th-March 17th at Navy Pier Chicago - visit Garden Gallery in booth #409

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

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

CARSON’S DAYS COMMUNITY BOOKSOn Sale Now! Contact Jennifer Georgis for more info jgeorgis@gardencenterservices.org. Sale Dates March 1st & 2nd

Kathy and Bob

Charlie

Gerry and Stacey

Karen and Tim

Sylvia & Chrissy enjoy the Christmas Festivities

Jamie and Jenny

Carol

Sue and Kathy

DeJuan and Marty

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

Linda Stearns

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.

Donna and Fra

nk Michael