For most of her 30 years at Elim Christian Services, Cindy has been building her skills, helping staff and fellow clients at the nonprofit organization and participating in volunteer projects.
She has a talent for helping, but another of her skills has allowed the 51-year-old to find her calling as an artistic entrepreneur.
She’s gained experience in art classes in Elim’s Adult Services program in Orland Park, painting seasonal pictures and recreating scenes such as a sun rising over the ocean.
After classes, Cindy, who has some special needs, can be found in her Oak Forest home craft room afternoons and evenings, creating up to 20 greeting cards, taking breaks for a cup of coffee, dinner or a stroll outside. She uses ink stamps to add inspiring messages and attaches trinkets, such as a tiny key. Her trusty Cricut machine helps her cut and design the cards.
“I really enjoy it,” said Cindy during a recent visit to the main Elim campus in unincorporated Palos Heights. “It’s a comfort. I make other people happy when I sell my cards.”
The Adult Services program offers vocational and life skill learning for adults with mild mental disabilities, Downs syndrome and autism with the aim of helping clients learn to live as independently as possible. The focus is always on helping people reach their potential.
Elim also offers education and therapy for 3-to-21 year-olds with developmental challenges and 5-to-21 year-olds with autism spectrum disorder, as well as other programs.
She recently sold a bunch of cards, tumblers and tote bags she decorated at Elim’s Dutch Fest last month, and was selling her cards at a coffee shop in Lansing until it closed.
Earlier this year, her cards became a mainstay at Dixon’s Florist in Munster, Indiana, where they’re displayed with a short biography about Cindy and sell for about $4 each. The proceeds help her purchase more art supplies as well as her personal needs. The cards also are available through Elim by emailing Bradley.Johnson@elimcs.org.
Cindy also works in the warehouse at Elim, and her supervisor, Paul Tucker, helped her get the cards into the florist shop, where they’ve become a high demand item. One customer asked when there would be a new batch in, Tucker said.
“I see the quality and the care she puts into her cards,” he said. “She’s got a very creative eye.”
Tucker said he’s also struck by Cindy’s perseverance and composure when he offers constructive criticism.
“When he says to get things done for him, I get it done,” Cindy said, adding Tucker sometimes tells her to go back and work on a card to make it more detailed or “make it look your best.”
“She just loves doing this,” Tucker said. “It gives her a sense of purpose, a sense of worth. She’s just a very loving, caring person.”
Bob Wilk, who owns Dixon’s with his wife, Jasmin, said that they’re happy to offer the cards at their shop.
“They’re custom-made, every card is different and it’s almost as if she makes them from her heart.” Wilk said. “It’s supporting a good cause with her.”
He was also impressed by the artist when he first met her in May.
“She was a sweetheart and she really appreciated us carrying the cards, so it’s been a good relationship,” said Wilk, adding the venture has turned out so well he hopes to offer space to other budding artists.
Cindy raved about Tucker and the Wilks, saying how grateful she is that the owners display her cards there and that Tucker encourages her.
“He is a blessing” Cindy said of Tucker. “He has helped me so much with my business. I’m very blessed to have Elim staff and to have this opportunity to do what I’m doing.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
