Ray Graham Association

10/09/2026

We're thrilled to honor the incredible individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond to support our mission in 2026. These people have demonstrated exceptional dedication, partnership, and advocacy, proving that together, we can achieve great things!

Our 2026 Appreciation and Achievement Award Recipients:

🦋 Holt Mapel for receiving the Bryan S. Adams Memorial Award, recognizing individuals who exemplify determination, self-advocacy, sportsmanship, compassion, and a commitment to reaching, growing, and achieving. Holt's positive attitude, loyalty, and enthusiasm embody the qualities that made Bryan Adams such a special member of the RGA family.

🦋 Janet Schiffman for her outstanding volunteer service and dedication to RGA's Therapeutic Horsemanship Program, helping create meaningful experiences and opportunities for the riders we support.

🦋 The Palumbo Family Foundation for their generous partnership and support of RGA's Therapeutic Horsemanship Program, helping expand opportunities and enrich the lives of children with disabilities.

🦋 Mark Dennison for his commitment to RGA and the individuals we support, making a meaningful impact through his partnership and advocacy.

🦋 Dr. Yoko Momoyama serves as the primary care physician for many of the individuals supported by RGA, treating each person with dignity.

🦋 Sean DiPinto and Impruvon for their valued partnership and support as an RGA vendor, helping advance our mission and strengthen services for the people we serve.

🦋 Illinois State Senator Laura Ellman for championing Illinoisans with I/DD and for supporting policies that promote independence and opportunity.

🦋 Illinois State Senator Seth Lewis for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of Illinoisans with I/DD and his ability to create positive change in our communities.

A heartfelt thank you to each of our recipients and supporters. By sharing our mission, you're empowering people with disabilities to reach, grow, and achieve. 🧡

10/06/2026

🎣 A group of people supported by RGA recently chartered a fishing trip on Lake Michigan. After departing from Milwaukee and traveling nearly 10 miles offshore, the group spent the afternoon enjoying the open water, great company, and the excitement of reeling in fish.

Several impressive catches were landed throughout the trip, including a 7-pound King Salmon caught by Paul. Congratulations to everyone who made the trip a success!

10/02/2026

🏡 We were honored to welcome State Representative Margaret Delarosa to spend time with our team and five wonderful gentlemen who call her district home.

Whether serving in Springfield or Washington, true leadership means representing everyone, including people with disabilities. Thank you, Rep. DeLaRosa, for taking the time to listen, connect, and hear about what matters most to your neighbors.

09/30/2026

State Senator Laura Ellman stopped by a Naperville home this week to see RGA’s remodel in progress. Right now, it’s open studs. Soon it will be a home for four women with I/DD to live, grow, and belong to a great neighborhood. Thank you, Senator Ellman. 💛

We love working alongside legislators to raise the standard of living for these four women and their families, and for all Illinoisans with disabilities.

09/24/2026

💛 💪 At its heart, the Monarch Walk and Fall Fest is about championing and celebrating the incredible people supported by RGA.

You didn’t just exceed our $100,000 goal - you also surpassed last year’s total and are now creeping toward $125,000!

Every single dollar goes straight to work empowering children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live life on their own terms.

A massive round of applause to our top three fundraising teams who rallied their communities to make this possible:
🥇 Saul and his family (Team Saul) — pictured with Senior Director of Development Laura Milewski
🥈 Emily and her family (Team Emily)
🥉 Richard and his family (Abilene Team)

Did you have friends, family, or coworkers chip in to support your walk team? Hit "Share" and pass this along to them to say thank you and show them the incredible milestone they helped achieve!

Help us keep the momentum going: TheMonarchWalk.org

09/21/2026

THANK YOU: Even a rainout couldn't dampen the spirit of the RGA community! 🦋☔

While we missed seeing everyone’s smiling faces and celebrating together yesterday, the ultimate purpose of the 👟 Monarch Walk—championing people with disabilities—was a resounding success.

Because of your unwavering dedication, we didn't just meet our $100,000 goal... we shattered it!

We are currently sitting at 117% of our goal, and the donations are still rolling in. Every single dollar translates directly into life-changing possibilities, safe homes, and growth opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A massive, heartfelt congratulations to our top three fundraising teams who went above and beyond to rally their networks:
🥇 Saul and his family (Team Saul)
🥈 Emily and her family (Team Emily)
🥉 Richard and his family (Abilene Team)

We also want to send a huge thank you to our corporate sponsors, who provided a quarter of our total funds this year. When you support them, you support us! Check out our Presenting Sponsor, Professional Medical, Inc., and all our incredible partners in the comments below. 👇

We may not have walked together yesterday, but the strides you’ve made for the disability community will be felt all year long. Thank you for your massive heart!

🔗 Help us keep the momentum going: TheMonarchWalk.org

09/20/2026

⛈️ CANCELLED: Due to overnight rain and continued storms forecast for this morning, we have made the difficult decision to cancel today’s 👟 Monarch Walk and Fall Fest.

Safety is always our highest priority. With active flood warnings, standing water on local roads, and additional lightning and heavy rain expected late morning, conditions simply are not safe to transport the people we support from our more than 30 residential homes across the community.

Between hazardous travel for our buses and waterlogged site conditions on the grounds, cancelling is the safest choice for everyone.

09/17/2026

From navigating morning routines to celebrating major milestones, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) empower people with disabilities to live rich, independent lives in their communities. Take a moment to give a well-deserved shoutout below to a DSP who has made an impact in your life!

09/16/2026

Attention donors: please stop being so generous...

The numbers keep increasing before our social media manager can even publish the post. 🤣

👟 Monarch Walk and Fall Fest ＵＰＤＡＴＥ :
🎯 $100,000 Goal
🌡️ Over 80% raised
⏳ Less than 4 days left
🏆 People with I/DD are the real winners

(Actually, please keep donating.)

Support Ray Graham Association's Monarch Walk 2026! Empower people with disabilities, provide community-based homes, and create life-changing opportunities through our fun, fall fundraiser.

09/15/2026

Behind every person with I/DD who is learning a new skill, living independently, or out in their community, there's often a Direct Support Professional (DSP) helping make it possible.

This week, we're celebrating the dedicated professionals who help people with disabilities reach, grow, and achieve every day.

DSPs are advocates, mentors, teachers, problem-solvers, and trusted partners who build meaningful relationships with the people they support. They are there for everyday moments and life-changing milestones alike.

Basically, their work brings our mission to life.

👏 Join us in recognizing these incredible professionals. Share a message of thanks in the comments and we'll forward it along to the DSPs in your life.