Dear Friends and Supporters, Thank you for standing with Garden Center Services. I’m sharing this update both to keep you informed about important milestones at our agency and to invite you to continue investing in our work - improving the quality of life for the adults with developmental disabilities we are honored to serve. On Saturday, May 2, 2026, I celebrated my 23rd anniversary as Executive Director. When I accepted this position, I had no idea the decision would have such a profound impact on my life. Over the years, I’ve built lifelong, caring relationships with so many people connected to Garden Center Services. The incredible individuals we support have taught me so much about courage, honesty, and patience, and I am grateful for the privilege of learning alongside them. This journey has never been a solo effort. Many staff members have walked beside me for years, and their commitment and compassion have been instrumental in the progress and positive changes we’ve made. I also want to recognize the families of the people we serve, who have generously contributed their time, encouragement, and financial resources. Your trust and partnership strengthen everything we do. One of my strongest supporters has been my dad, Howard Beagles, who recently passed away on April 13 at the age of 97. He was deeply proud of what my wife, Cindy, and I were doing at Garden Center, and he took a genuine interest in getting to know our employees and the individuals that attend our programs. He played Santa at several of our Christmas parties and attended many of our fundraising events through the years. He even used his fireman’s pension to sponsor agency events, and he was one of our faithful monthly donors for years. We will miss him dearly, and we will carry his example of kindness and friendliness forward. I was hoping Dad could attend the grand opening of the Garden Apartments this summer, and I also wish he could have joined us as we celebrate Garden Center’s 70th anniversary on June 28 at Gaelic Park. While he won’t be with us in person, I know he’ll be there in spirit - cheering on the mission he believed in so strongly. As we look ahead, we’re committed to continuing to enhance programs, opportunities, and supports that help the adults we serve live fuller, more connected lives. The challenge of accomplishing this has become increasingly more difficult with the substantial increase in the cost of doing business and the negative impact of policy and funding changes at the federal level. If Garden Center Services has touched your life - as a family member, friend, employee, business partner, or community supporter - please consider making a gift or enlisting as one of our monthly donors. Any of you that would be interested in sponsoring or know a business who would like to sponsor Garden Center’s 70th Anniversary Celebration, reach out to me at 708-887-8588. Every donation helps create stability today and builds possibility for tomorrow. With gratitude, Gerry  Gerry Beagles Executive Director Garden Center Services

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