Not only was this elegant event enjoyable for all, it also raised funds for Ray Graham Association’s programs and services. Specifically, $207 of each $250 ticket was given back to RGA programs. A huge thank you to everyone that purchased tickets and made donations to RGA. Your endless support helped RGA sell enough tickets to be part of the First Look for Charity pool, making the donation to our organization even greater. We truly appreciate your generosity.

The stunning group of Ray Graham Association staff and supporters smile for a group photo at Chicago Auto Show’s First Look for Charity event. Thank you to all that attending this event!

Young Adults with Autism Face Barriers

What does this mean?  H.R. 3587 would require that states pay 90% of all clean Medicaid claims within 30 days of the date of receipt. States would also have to pay 99% of claims in 90 days. This is a big deal!  As the State shuffles through the backlogs of unpaid bills, nonprofit providers like Ray Graham Association wait months to receive payments. 

You can help make a difference!

Simply write a brief letter or make a telephone call to your Member of Congress at their Washington, D.C. office.  Directory:  http://www.house.gov/representatives/#state_id

If you decide to call, ask to speak with the Health Legislative Assistant. Whether you call or write a letter, be sure to ask that your Member of Congress co-sponsor H.R. 3587. Tell your Member of Congress that organizations like Ray Graham Association have been waiting for payments since July. Be sure to express how important it is to have community-based services for children and adults with disabilities.

Thank you for your assistance!

The seventh annual Professional Development Day was hosted at DePaul University’s Naperville Campus at the beginning of December. More than 50 students attended the event which focused on the job search, interviewing and how to be a successful employee. There was even a panel discussion featuring young adults who had successfully transitioned to adult life. Thank you to our presenters and all of the students and staff that attended the event. A special thank you goes out to the Rotary Club of Elmhurst for sponsoring this great day! Your support is greatly appreciated.

Ray Graham Association (RGA) creates magical moments for nearly 2,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families throughout the year. This is especially true during the holiday season.

Billy lived in state-run institutions for 45 years before moving to his new home at RGA where he receives individualized services and supports. His mother states, “All he did at Howe Developmental Center was sit.” Since Billy’s family was discouraged from taking him home for the holidays, many holidays came to pass without Billy and his family celebrating, laughing and enjoying time with each other. Last year, a magical moment was created for Billy and his family. Billy’s mother said, “At the Annual RGA Holiday Party I watched Billy dance. I didn’t even know that he liked to dance!” While at the party, Billy and his family had their first family holiday photo taken in many, many years.

Whether it be a holiday, birthday or just some quality family time, Billy and his family enjoy taking advantage of every opportunity to spend time together. Billy is enjoying the freedom that comes with living in a community-based setting; he is making new friends, communicating more with his family and exploring new interests. Billy’s mother further says, “I’ve seen a lot of improvement with Billy since his move from the institution to RGA. We are very excited to see what Billy’s future will hold.”

Please help us continue to create magical moments.  If you wish to make an online donation, please click here. Your support makes a difference!

Warmly,

Kim Zoeller

President and CEO

Billy and his Family experiencing the magic of the Holidays at Ray Graham Association’s 2010 Annual Holiday Party.

The RGA cookbook is available for $30, and all proceeds will benefit RGA. To order, please contact Meg Nolan at 630.834.4106 ext. 111.

Ray Graham Association invites you to help spread holiday joy to people by partaking in the Holiday Gift Program. Through this Program, Ray Graham Association partners with companies and individuals that wish to purchase gifts for people who otherwise would not receive presents over the holidays. This is a perfect opportunity for an employee giving program, a service project for youth or a way to personally impact people’s lives!

To participate, contact Mary Beth Glenn at (630) 620-2222 or via email at marybethg@raygraham.org. You can also complete the Holiday Gift Program Form and return this to Mary Beth Glenn.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this invitation to participate in the Holiday Gift Program.  Your generosity will help bring happiness to all of Ray Graham Association’s children and adults with disabilities during the holiday season!

For more information about Ray Graham Association’s Morris Service Dog Program, please contact Service Dog Trainer, Sarah Rothberger, at 630.620.2222 or sarahmsp@gmail.com.

My name is Lee Jorwic. I am a member of the Ray Graham Association (RGA) Board of Directors and Chairperson of the Advancement Committee.  More importantly, I am the proud father of our 22-year-old son, Christopher, who utilizes RGA services and supports. I am writing to RGA family members and friends of those individuals we serve to tell you why my family and I are committed to RGA.

My family and I support RGA because they have and will care for Chris throughout all the stages of his life. We support RGA because of the wonderful work they do to provide services for all our friends and family members.  The more involved I have become over the years, the more I have witnessed first-hand the dedication and sacrifices that are made to provide an exceptional level of care and nurturing to our loved ones.

Did you know that the State of Illinois at any given time owes RGA up to five million dollars?  We are fortunate to have a creative administration that cares deeply about our loved one and continues to find innovative ways to provide quality services despite all of the financial challenges. Each one of us has an obligation to donate time and financial support to the organization that provides us so much in return. 

Without the support of family and friends, how can RGA prevail in these trying times of fiscal uncertainty in Illinois? We know that in these tough economic times all of us have suffered financial hardships.  If cutbacks need to be made in your charitable donations, so be it.  We ask only that you don’t view RGA as a charity, but rather as a dear friend who needs your support.  Please continue to support us as a priority so that we can continue to support our loved ones with the dignity and high-level of service upon which they rely. 

During this annual family appeal, please donate whatever you can.  If you wish to make an online donation, please click here. Any amount would be greatly appreciated.

With Gratitude,

Lee Jorwic

Member, Ray Graham Association Board of Directors