GARDEN CENTER SERVICES

GARDEN CENTER SERVICES' CILA PROGRAM PROVIDES ELEVEN SMALL FAMILY-SIZED HOMES IN THE CHICAGO SUBURBS TO OVER FIFTY INDIVIDUALS ALLOWING THEM TO EXERCISE CHOICE, PARTICIPATE IN MAINSTREAM COMMUNITY LIFE AND SHARE IN OVERALL HOUSEHOLD DUTIES. GARDEN CENTER SERVICES CILA PROGRAM RECOGNIZES THAT THERE IS NOT A "ONE SIZE FITS ALL" LIVING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE INDIVIDUALS SERVED. FOR THIS REASON, GARDEN CENTER SERVICES PROVIDES A VARIETY OF HOUSING OPTIONS INCLUDING SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES, APARTMENTS AND A TOWNHOME.GARDEN CENTER SERVICES' CILA PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WITH DAILY LIVING SKILLS FROM OUR HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. SUCH ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PARTICIPATING IN SPECIAL OLYMPIC PROGRAMS, SPORTING EVENTS, PARK DISTRICT ACTIVITIES, VACATIONING WITH FRIENDS, GOING SHOPPING AND VOLUNTEERING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEY RESIDE.OUR QUALIFIED STAFF IS AVAILABLE 24/7 TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE, DIRECTION, AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE RESIDENTS, WHILE SUPPORTING THEM TO FULFILL THEIR DAILY LIVING SKILLS AND REACH THEIR INDIVIDUAL GOALS WITH CONFIDENCE. THROUGH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, THE INDIVIDUALS WE SERVE FIND ACCEPTANCE, LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP, WHICH FOSTERS A GROWING SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE.

COMMUNITY DAY PROGRAMS GARDEN CENTER SERVICES OPERATES OUR COMMUNITY DAY PROGRAM WHICH IS A UNIQUELY CRAFTED EXPERIENCE DESIGNED TO NURTURE THE MIND, BODY AND SOUL OF EACH INDIVIDUAL THAT ENTERS OUR DOOR. WITH A COMMITMENT TO PERSONALIZED ATTENTION, OUR PROGRAM CATERS TO ABOUT 100 PARTICIPANTS, OFFERING A DIVERSE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL EXPERIENCES. WE PRIORITIZE INDIVIDUALIZED ATTENTION, ENSURING THAT EACH PARTICIPANT RECEIVES TAILORED GOALS AND SUPPORT TO MAXIMIZE THEIR PERSONAL GROWTH.IN ADDITION TO THE ENRICHING ACTIVITIES WITHIN OUR CENTER, THE COMMUNITY DAY PROGRAM EXTENDS ITS IMPACT BY ACTIVELY ASSISTING PARTICIPANTS TO FIND MEANINGFUL PAID WORK OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS VARIOUS LOCAL BUSINESSES. OVER THE PAST YEAR, SUCH BUSINESSES INCLUDED A CAR WASH, A CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, THE LOCAL PARK DISTRICT, AND VARIOUS FAST-FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS. GARDEN CENTER SERVICES TAKES PRIDE IN FOSTERING COMMUNITY INTEGRATION. OUR AIM IS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS IN ACHIEVING MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT AND ENHANCING THEIR WELL-BEING. OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBLY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR PARTICIPANTS. PARTICIPANTS HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO HELP WITH PROJECTS SUCH AS THE COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE CLEANUPS, AND MEALS ON WHEELS.GARDEN CENTER SERVICES IS DEDICATED TO THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AND CONTINUES TO RECEIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THRU THE NATIONAL EXPANSION OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES NETWORK (NEON). THIS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP ENABLES US TO ENHANCE SERVICE OFFERINGS AND OPPORTUNITIES. GARDEN CENTER SERVICES ALSO OPERATES THE SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE WHICH IS LOCATED IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. THE SHOP PROVIDES TRAINING AND INTEGRATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS. THE THRIFT SHOPPE OFFERS A VARIETY OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS, CLOTHING, COLLECTIBLES, AND FURNITURE AT BARGAIN PRICES. OVER THIRTY VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATE IN STAFFING THE STORE AND RAISING PROCEEDS THAT SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS OF GARDEN CENTER SERVICES. VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME. DONATIONS OF NEW AND GENTLY USED GOODS ARE ACCEPTED ON THURSDAYS AND SATURDAYS.