Illinois Grants an Increase!

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle. Happiness never decreases by being shared. Gautama Buddha Dear Friends of Garden Center Services; the picture of me this time is of me finding a fun way to announce to our wonderful employees the news regarding a substantial increase to our rates from the Illinois […]
Our Mission

Advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them. – Garden Center Services Mission Statement It’s been thirty-six years since President Reagan recognized March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to increase “public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities” and to […]
I’ve got the best job in the world!

Acceptance is created from an empowered movement that educates others to embrace diversity and love life by seeing beyond abilities. -Annie Hopkins If you count the two years I spent volunteering at the Special Religious Education Program at Blessed Sacrament parish in Springfield, I have been working with and advocating for adults with intellectual and/or […]
I think we can see things moving in the right direction…

Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel. TRUST. HOPE. LOVE. WISH. BELIEVE. Most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go. -Mandy Hale The Illinois legislature concluded their budget session early this year and I am personally heartened by […]
Supporting Individuals with Disabilities in Ukraine

At the same time that we are busy reaching out to our state legislators, advocating for an increase in funding for the services we provide for persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, we are in contact with groups located in Belgium and Moldova to discuss strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities that live within or […]
Disability Awareness Month 2022

There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more. Robert M. Hensel It has been 35 years since President Ronald Reagan made a formal proclamation that the month of March would be recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Three years after that, in 1990, the Americans With […]