March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to recognize progress, celebrate inclusion, and recommit ourselves to ensuring that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the opportunity to live full, meaningful lives in the communities they call home. This year holds special significance for us at Garden Center Services as we are celebrating our 70th anniversary of serving individuals with disabilities. For seven decades, our organization has walked alongside individuals and families - evolving, learning, and growing together. What began as a small effort driven by the compassion and determination of parents, has become an agency woven into the fabric of the communities we serve. Over the past 70 years, the landscape of services for individuals with developmental disabilities has transformed dramatically. We have witnessed the shift from institutionalization to community integration. We have seen the expansion of employment opportunities, residential options, educational access, and self-advocacy. Most importantly, we have seen individuals once marginalized become leaders, coworkers, neighbors, and friends. These gains did not happen by accident. They are the result of persistent advocacy, visionary families, dedicated staff & professionals, and communities willing to embrace inclusion. At Garden Center Services, we are profoundly grateful for: • The people we serve. • The families who entrusted us with their loved ones and who have been our partners in advocacy and growth. • Our extraordinary staff whose compassion, professionalism, and daily commitment make independence and dignity possible. • The generous individuals, foundations, and businesses whose financial support has sustained and strengthened our mission over the decades. Because of this collective effort, thousands of lives have been enriched - and our communities are stronger for it. Yet, while we celebrate progress, we must also acknowledge the challenges that lie before us. Recent funding and policy changes at the federal level have created significant fiscal pressures for agencies like ours. Across the country, nonprofit providers are navigating rising operational costs, workforce shortages, regulatory shifts, and uncertainty in reimbursement structures. For community-based organizations, even modest reductions or delays in funding can have profound impacts - not just on agencies, but on the individuals and families who depend on consistent, high-quality support. The reality is simple: community inclusion requires community investment. As we reflect during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we are reminded that progress is never permanent without vigilance. The rights, opportunities, and services that individuals enjoy today were secured through decades of advocacy. Sustaining and expanding those gains will require the same courage, collaboration, and commitment. Garden Center Services remains steadfast in our mission. For 70 years, we have adapted to changing environments while keeping one constant focus - improving the quality of life for the individuals we serve. We will continue to advocate, to innovate, and to stand with the people and families who rely on us. In this issue’s insert, you will see information from Fund Development Associate, Hailey Kmetty, explaining our kickoff of a Monthly Giving Initiative and how you can easily participate. This month, we celebrate how far we have come. And we renew our promise to keep moving forward. Together. Gerry

Dear supporters and family members of Garden Center Services! Cindy and I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy, and safe New Year. We thought it would be helpful for this first Leaflet newsletter of 2026 to reflect back on some accomplishments our agency made over the past year. I want to share with you that while generating this list I truly experienced strong emotions such as pride, gratitude, joy, and weariness. The fact that we made these positive strides in a time that is so affected by needless disharmony, misinformation, and blatant self-interest is a true testimony to the commitment made by our wonderful employees to the core values of respect, empowerment, and compassion. 2025 Accomplishments We filled open leadership positions with top notch individuals: Ray Benaitis accepted the Director position for oversite of Supportive Housing, Quality Assurance, Thrift Shoppe, and Maintenance & Transportation. Elle Liberty accepted the Clinical Director position to support our Qs. Zach Apt accepted a position as our newest CILA Q. Kelly Drudi accepted the position to be our new onsite Nurse Practitioner. We also had some established staff move into new positions: Sheryl Kincinas accepted the Director position to support our clinical services including Nursing and the Behavioral Health Program. April Watkins accepted the position of ICF Administrator. In addition to these staff changes, here are other strides that were made: Acquired license for our own Behavior Health Clinic. Moved forward with construction of our first Supportive Housing Apartments and purchased the land for our second. Started our first Host Home and added a new CILA home. Continued moving toward our goal of all residents having a private bedroom - with five more added! Had our first Sunny Days initiative resulting in three days of celebration of the people we support! Updated two ICF bathrooms and flooring. Updated flooring, painting and windows at several CILAs. Completed significant renovations at our Moody, 50th, Otto and Lombard homes. Added an additional accessible bathroom at our Community Day Services building. Completed our first partnership with Moraine Valley for Leadership Development. Twenty-five people participated in this 5-month online program. There are many, many more! Now it is 2026, and there is much that we hope to accomplish this year. We are committed to making real changes in the lives of the people we serve, but we really need your help to make this happen. Many of you that receive this newsletter are already generous financial donors to our cause! As I’m wanting and needing to share our story with a larger audience, that’s where I could use your help. If you want to be part of the resistance to the growing lack of concern and support for all the people being marginalized and minimalized, please help me connect with those persons in your circle that you believe would be touched by our stories. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me at gbeagles@gardencenterservices.org. Thank you for everything!  Gerry