Inside the Center A Newsletter Highlighting Exceptional Children & Families
Special Thanks for Friends of Exceptional Children Thanks to you who take time to listen to difficult speech, For you help us to know that if we persevere,We can be understood. Thanks to you who walk with us in public places, And ignore the stares of strangers, For in your companionship,We find havens of peace. Thanks to you who never bid us to “hurry up”, And more thanks to you Who do not snatch tasks from our hands to do them for us, For often we need time rather than help. Thanks to you who stand beside us As we enter new and untried ventures, For our failures will be outweighed By the times we surprise ourselves and you. Thanks to you who ask for our help, For our greatest need is to be needed. Thanks to you when you assure us, That the one thing that makes us individuals Is not in our peculiar muscles, Nor in our wounded nervous systems, Nor in our difficulties in learning, Nor any exterior difference. But is in our inner, personal, individual self Which no infirmity can diminish or erase. -Author unknown, but appreciated (submited by Barbara Johnson)
Fall 2014
Monster Bash event for families, foodies & Bears fans
Good Shepherd Center’s Monster recipes, which include strawberry Bash event on October 19 is one margarita, maple bacon, and for the whole family. Bring your chipotle chicken tamale. kids to enjoy the children area with Yum Dum Chef/Owner Jeff Wang professionally trained supervision believes that food should be a while parents watch the Bears game culinary adventure and a cultural and eat amazing meals from local experience. The theme Food Trucks at CD is focused on dumplings & Me in Frankfort. offering all types of During the game, Chinese food and famous legendary ‘85 Bears for their Kimcheesy Defensive Tackle Rice Balls. Wang has Steve “Mongo” explained, “Yum Dum’s McMichael will food comes from my make an appearance mom’s home cooking; to liven the Bears Wyatt of Frankfort enjoyed exactly what I ate excitement! dressing up and playing with the growing up as a child. Attendees can arrive games at Good Shepherd Center’s This is the food that I fall event last year. anytime between love to share and the 11:00 am – 5:00 pm story that I love to tell.” at CD & Me located at 23320 S. Families should bring their “little LaGrange Rd. Frankfort, IL. monsters” with Halloween costumes Eat like a monster from the popular encouraged. A kid area will be Babycakes Gourmet food truck and available with fall themed games and Yum Dum food truck. Throughout activities with professionally trained the years, Babycakes Chef/Owner supervision. Leah Wilcox has created more (Continued inside) than 250 sweet and savory pancake
This is the food that I love to share and the story that I love to tell. -Yum Dum Owner Jeff Wang
2 food trucks with amazing food
A Message from Good Shepherd Center Executive Director
Our evolving mission The only way to be sure that program offerings for families at an agency remain effective in meeting their needs are to continue to question exactly what the needs in the community are, as they are always changing.
Since the close of the center-based Early Intervention Program it has become apparent that the largest loss in the service was the ability for families to meet each other and provide natural supports for each other. Another problem that we have identified over the years is the great difficulty families of a child with special needs face in securing high quality Child Care services. Soon, we hope to remedy both of these problems as Good Shepherd Center has made an offer to a local child care provider to acquire their business and the offer has been accepted! While we are still in the process of working out all the legal details of the acquisition, it is our hope that we will initiate ownership of the business by December. This location will of course care for children with and without special needs as we continue to educate the community that all children are special. While providing high quality services in a child care center can be a challenging task, we are excited to add up to 70 new families to our extended GSC family each year. We are very aware, at Good Shepherd Center, that only through change can we all continue to grow. If you have any questions about our impending child care services please feel free to contact me at 708-335-0020 x26. Sincerely, Brendan McCormick
Please Join Us in Making a Positive Difference Josh Tyler, Board President I have been Board President of Good Shepherd Center since 2009 and I have been a member of the Board since 2007. Prior to serving in these capacities, my family became a Good Shepherd Center Family in 2001, when my son Joey was born with significant disabilities. Good Shepherd Center entered our lives through a team of caring and professional therapists. As many of you know, the value of feeling that you are not alone cannot be measured and this is how my wife Katie and I felt about Good Shepherd Center’s impact on our family. In 2003, our son Joey passed away but my family’s connection with Good Shepherd Center has continued. When Brendan asked if I would serve on the Board I jumped at the chance. I find that being on the Board is extremely rewarding. I have the opportunity to work alongside some very intelligent people and help to shape the future of Good Shepherd Center. I am able to see firsthand how the agency is working to improve individual’s lives. Perhaps most importantly, I feel as though I am giving back to Good Shepherd Center as Joey, the recipient of so much love, would want me to do. We are always looking to add new and fresh ideas to our Board. I would encourage any of you reading this article to take a moment and think about serving on our Board. The commitment is extremely manageable - we meet 4 times a year with the occasional committee meeting. Our meetings are lively and productive plus there’s food! If you have any questions you can contact Brendan at 708-335-0020 x26 or feel free to email me tylertallgrass@gmail.com Thank you.
Find us online at gscenter.org & like us at www.facebook.com/gscenterkids
Family Highlight:
The Parker Family and GSC Respite
When my brother visits from Miami, he always has a gift for our daughters, Donae (6) and Rhonda-Rene (3). One particular visit he brought them a set of wooden, Russian Dolls. It was delightful watching them discover, what they presumed to be one doll, actually being several nested within one another. I would liken their enchantment to my experience with Good Shepherd Center (GSC). It has been the gift that keeps on giving. Just when I think I’ve discovered it all, another treasure is revealed. We thought GSC was a service to provide reprieve, and they are. However, we’ve gotten far Parker Family are all smiles more than a break since the with help from first worker walked over our Good Shepherd Center’s threshold last year. Respite Care
They’ve become our village. Our team consists of Avery, Lorenia, Pam, Patricia, Tonya, Colette, and Robina. They’re all nurturing. My husband, Don, and I are hands-on parents. We invest a lot of face time with our kids. My initial concern was that they might be plopped in front of a television for entertainment. However, that’s not been the case. They engage our girls with various activities such as reading books, playing with puzzles, painting, drawing, and games.
Monster Bash cont.
The Chicago Bears game against the Miami Dolphins will be aired at noon inside CD & Me on a 60” screen on the wall and the 50” screen behind the bar. Fans can enjoy the Monsters of the Midway by watching the game and meet 1985 Bears legend Steve “Mongo” McMichael. He will arrive around half time and will do signings and pictures. Bears items, such as 8 x 10 photographs, mini helmets, etc., will also be available for sale if attendees want to receive Steve McMichael’s autograph. After the Bears game, live music will be provided by local band Cloud of Shame, who describes their music as classic rock and today’s hits. Throughout the day teams of two people can participate in a bean bag tournament. The entry fee is $50 per team and the winning prize is half of the total entry pot. We are hoping to have 16 teams or more which would mean the winners could take home at least $400. Also at the event will be several raffles with opportunities to win cash and prizes. A silent auction with several
by Claudia Parker Recently Donae said, “Mommy, today Ms. Patricia and I played a game where I killed a man.” Wide-eyed I replied, “Pardon me?” She pulled me by the arm to the outside patio saying, “See? I won. We played Hangman!” I smiled and thought, “What an excellent educational game to play.” Parker sisters Rhonda-Renee and Donae
helped model the latest fashions in Good
Shepherd Center’s annual fashion show. We can’t thank GSC enough. It has really helped our family in this special needs journey. We were happy to help raise money and awareness of GSC services by participating in this year’s 4th annual Fashion Show. We will continue to do all that we can to show our support and appreciation. Because of what GSC does, we now have a better quality of life. Thank you for making it your mission to see the abilities in those who have disabilities. Claudia Parker describes herself as a Christian, Wife, Mother, Author & Speaker. More information is available at ClaudiaParker.net. (If you would like to write about your family’s experience with Good Shepherd Center, please contact Kristen Bonk at kbonk@gscenter.org or call (708) 335-0020 ext. 20.)
Bears items and fall baskets will be available as well. General admission to attend for ages 12 years and up is $10, under the age 12 is free. A limited number of tickets will be sold for the VIP experience at $100 which will include 2 free drinks, hour long meet and greet with Steve McMichael, 2 free samplings from the food trucks and front row seats to watch the game and band. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Call Development Director Kristen Bonk at 708335-0020 ext. 20 or email kbonk@gscenter.org to reserve your spot. Mention the number of adults and children. More information is available at www.gscenter.org/events/monster-bash.
In Loving Memory
For an agency to be successful in meeting the needs of those served it must have dedicated and caring staff to implement the mission statement. Over the years, Good Shepherd Center has been blessed with many of these types of staff however Mary Kay Brooks just seemed to stand out above the group as one of the cornerstones of the agency.
Mary Kay started at Good Shepherd Center in 1977 and for 30 years she served as an example for so many other staff to follow in providing service with determination, empathy and love. A mother once shared her story with me about her daughter whom Mary Kay was providing Physical Therapy for in the following way, “I have wondered since my daughter was born, will she ever be able to walk? Will I ever see my daughter dance? With assistance from Mary Kay this same mother shared, “within two years due of receiving the needed attention and therapy from Mary Kay, my daughter achieved all of her developmental milestones, including learning to walk, climb stairs and even run!”
Beyond being an important part of countless children and families lives, Mary Kay also informally served as the agency Human Resource department. Dozens of staff that have worked at the agency over the years and many that still work here today came to Good Shepherd Center because Mary Kay invited them to share in her joy. In addition to her direct work with our children, Mary Kay could always be depended on to be at every family event and party; as our families had truly become hers. Her attendance would make the event more special for all. She truly understood that a person does not work at Good Shepherd Center; they become part of an extended family. This past year at the agency Fashion Show we were pleased to present Mary Kay with the “Making a Difference” award which in the future shall now be called the “Mary Kay Brooks” award. Only a few weeks after that event, Mary Kay passed away leaving us all in shock and sadness. It was my privilege to have provided her with the award on that day and certainly to have worked with her over the years. She is sorely missed by us all!
Thank You to All Donors
A tremendous thank you to the following individuals, corporations and service groups, who have donated to Good Shepherd Center during the period of January 1 - October 3, 2014. It is always our intent to thank the people who share in our mission by making donations to the agency. If you found that we overlooked someone, please inform us so we can rectify that situation. Good Shepherd Center cherishes each friend who gives, knowing that all gifts are given from the heart. Mr & Mrs Paul / Gail Behrman Mr & Mrs Josh / Kristen Bonk Mr & Mrs Dave / Joanne Bruff The Honorable Anthony DeLuca Mr Michael Francis Mr & Mrs Ernest / Carolyn Gibson Mr & Mrs Donald / Marchelle Goens Ms Mary E. Harland Mr & Mrs Wallace / Lois Hein Mr & Mrs Steve / Gayle Homberg Mr & Mrs Robert / Patricia Houston The Honorable Fran Hurley Mr & Mrs Robert / Dolores Jones
Honorable & Mrs Linzey / Gloria Jones & Family Mr & Mrs David / Brook Klawitter Mr & Mrs Brendan / Lorraine McCormick Mr James Mommsen Mr & Mrs Tennes / Joanne Nelson Mr & Mrs Kenneth / Amy Novander Ms Bev Olson The Honorable Al Riley The Honorable Robert Rita Mr & Mrs Robert / Pamela Rodey
Mr & Mrs David / Jackie Rotondi Mr John Ryan Ms Meghann Salus Mr Richard Siwek Mr Stephen / Sheila Stanicek Mr Christopher Sulla Mr & Mrs James / Lori Swartwout Mr James Tyler Mr & Mrs Josh / Kathryn Tyler Mr & Mrs James / Therese Welser Ms Linda Witting
(Thank You to All Donors Continued) In Memory of Mary Kay Brooks Dr. John Brooks Mr. & Mrs. Leighton / Peggy Broxterman Mr. & Mrs. Michael / Janice Cholke Mr. Patrick Condon Mrs. Sharon Cooper Ms. Rachel Corbin Mr. & Mrs. Thomas / Irene Costello Mr. & Mrs. Terry /Mary K. Davis Mr. and Mrs. Walt / Sharon DeBolt Anonymous Donors Mr. & Mrs. James / Sue Eaton Mr. & Mrs. Josh / Andrea Eisenberg Ms. Leslie Engstrand-Guca Ms. June Erdmier-Salen Mr. & Mrs. Favel Mr & Mrs Chuck / Sue Gaskill Ms. Erica Gozzi Ms. Gina Graefen Mr & Mrs Daniel / Deborah Greenberg Mr. & Mrs. Keith / Sharon Grill Ms. Suzanne Halpin Mr & Mrs Jack / Marge Hayes Ms. Patricia Heath Ms. Morgan Henington Mr & Mrs Richard / Mary Kay Hertz Mr. & Mrs. Robert / Mindy Hodge Ms. Mina Ibrahim Dr & Mrs Richard / Barbara Johnson Mr & Mrs Robert / Patricia Judge Ms. Pamela Kappmeyer Mr & Mrs Thomas / Joyce Kolavo Mr. David Kozacek Mr. & Mrs. Frank / Mary Margaret Langley Ms. Diane Lauterbach Mr. & Mrs. Ramone / Tiffany Lewis Ms. Raquel Lopez Mr. & Mrs. Tom / Daphne McCoy Mr. & Mrs. James / Marianne Napoli Dr. & Mrs. John / Carol Nayden Mr & Mrs Dennis Martha O’Boyle Ms. Margaret Paredes Mr. & Mrs. James / Nancy Pfieffer Mr. & Mrs. John / Donna Piazza Mrs. Dana Quintana Mr. Suad Rafati Ms. Sandra Reich Mr. & Mrs. Michael / Carole Rice Mr. & Mrs. Roy / Jeane Robbins Mr. & Mrs. Robertson Mr. & Mrs. Laphonso / Lea Robinson Mr. & Mrs. Roeters Mr. & Mrs. John /Jennifer Sagrati Mr. & Mrs. Greg / Kerry Sloyan Mr. & Mrs. Steadman Ms. Joan Swartz Mr & Mrs Edward / Doris Sweeney Mr. & Mrs. Jim / Karen Tapscott Ms. Tiffani Tate Mr. & Mrs. Theodore / Frieda Wong Mr. & Mrs. James / Delores Wood Mr. & Mrs. Bart / Joann Zona
In Memory of Eunice Budzinski Seguin RCA In Memory of Milton DesForges Mr. & Mrs. Roy / Barbara Goesel In Honor of Ryan Hogan Mr. & Mrs. Michael / Barbara Hogan In Honor of Robert & Kathleen Jones Illinois Retail Merchants Association In Honor of Dennis Killelea Mr. & Mrs. Kevin / Kim Killelea In Memory of Nancy Molander Price Mr. Doug Price In Honor of Jason Schmitz Mr. & Mrs. Richard / Susan Schmitz In Memory of Gretchen Stanicek The Blair and Arlene Stanicek Charitable Fund Mr. Frank Stanicek In Memory of Joey Tyler Mr. Kevin Smetana Mr & Mrs Jeffry Tyler In Memory of James Ward Ms. Maureen Foertsch In Memory of Pearl Sons Mr. & Mrs. Anthony / Carol Bruno Mr. & Mrs. Joseph / Georgia Casella Mr & Mrs Jack / Marge Hayes Ms. Patricia Heath Mr. & Mrs. Robert / Stephie Klimas Mr. & Mrs. Thomas / Lynn Klimas Ms. Joyce Lamberta Ms. Olga Mandich Mr. & Mrs. Joseph / Deborah Marconi Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth / Mary Peters Mr. & Mrs. Dennis / Diana Stansberry Mr & Mrs Josh / Kathryn Tyler Mr. Richard Wiegand Corporations & Service Groups A.W. Management Company American Eyecare Center Apple Chevrolet, Inc. Arlington International Racecourse Aurelio’s Family Pizzeria- Homewood Balmoral Park Bittyfotos Briosa Boutique Cookie Lee Jewelry Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants Costco Critchell-Miller & Petrus, Inc. Ethan Allen Retail
Eye Level Learning Center of Orland Park North Fleckenstein’s Bakery Flossmoor Community Church Flossmoor Service League Flossmoor Station Restaurant Food Packaging Warehouse Francesca’s Fortunato Fresh Starts Restaurant & Catering Friends for Joey Gaido & Fintzen Grady’s Grille Great Lakes Credit Union Heart and Sole Dance H-F Racquet & Fitness Club Hinda Incentives Hodge Home Maintenance Homewood Disposal Homewood-Flossmoor Park District I-CARE Ingalls Hospital Jenny’s Steakhouse & Pub JP Morgan Chase Foundation Kenwood Liquors - Homer Glen Kiwanis Club of Park Forest Koehler & Passarelli, LLC Lane McVicker, LLC Leo Burnett Company Charitable Foundation Lia Sophia Licensed Massage Mak Design Group, Incorporated Marszewski & Galvin Law Martin Whalen Office Solutions Master Rolls Miller, Cooper & Co., Ltd K of C Charities, Inc. Council #3761 Olympia Fields Country Club O’Neill, McFadden & Willett, LLP PACE Penny Lane Schools, Ltd Prairie State College Prepared Girl Garment Bags Ravisloe Country Club Rosebud Restaurants Schaumburg Executive Suites Seguin RCA Starbucks State Farm Insurance - Severo Pedrosa Suburban Service League Sybaris Pool Suites The Clare Association of Chicago The Great Frame Up Walt’s Food Center Windy City Thunderbolts Wolf’s Bakery Zettlmeier Bakerei
Good Shepherd Center
Address Service Requested
Serving Children & Families Since 1963
17314 S. Kedzie Avenue Hazel Crest, IL 60429 708-335-0020 www.gscenter.org
Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 14 Flossmoor, IL
Community Partner Program 17512 Carriageway Hazel Crest, IL 60429 (708) 957-2600
Calendar of Events
• Sunday, October 19 - Good Shepherd Center Monster Bash at CD & Me in Frankfort, IL • Saturday, December 6 - Cookies & Milk with Santa Location TBD • Saturday, February 28 - Strong Children ~ Strong Communities Conference at Prairie State College Chicago Heights, IL • Saturday, April 18 - Good Shepherd Center 5th Annual Fashion Show at Idlewild Country Club in Flossmoor, IL • Friday, June 12 - Good Shepherd Center’s 7th Annual Golf Outing at Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood, IL All proceeds raised from these activities benefit families with exceptional children who benefit from Good Shepherd Center services. To purchase tickets or for additional information contact Good Shepherd Center’s Director of Development Kristen Bonk at kbonk@gscenter.org or call 708-3350020 ext. 20 or write to Good Shepherd Center 17314 Kedzie Ave. Hazel Crest, IL 60429.