Our Life-Changing Story

Founded in 1950, Ray Graham Association serves nearly 2,000 people with disabilities and employs ab350 people. Ray Graham empowers those we serve and those who care for them to reach, grow, and achieve. Thank you for being a part of this life-saving and life-giving mission.

Our Purpose-Driven Mission

Thanks to your continued support, Ray Graham Association provides a loving community, stability, and personal care, for people with disabilities. Our goal is to empower people to:

• Reach their potential by providing access to therapeutic programs, recreation, and family support resources.
• Grow their future through neighborhood living, life-skills training, and employment opportunities.
• Achieve their goals by pursuing personalized plans with measurable actions and results.

Our Person-Centered Ethos

President & CEO Kim Zoeller says­­ “In a person-centered culture, all people feel welcome, listened to, and supported in their decisions.” People with disabilities are at the center of our structure, policies, and procedures. To promote diversity, equity and inclusion, people with disabilities serve on the RGA board of directors, RGA counsel and various other committees, and they are agents of change and inspiration. Who better to “have a seat at the table” than those we serve.

A person-centered culture does not only involve people with disabilities, however. We work hard to support everyone who loves and cares for each person in our community, including their families and the support staff. We advocate with Illinois legislators for a fairly compensated direct support professional workforce while sharing innovative practices with other providers through the Illinois Self Advocacy Alliance. Thank you for being a part of this life-saving and life-giving ethos.

Our Ground-Breaking Namesake

J. Ray Graham (1898-1961) was a lifelong public servant. He was an educator, administrator, and superintendent for various Illinois school districts before being appointed the first Director of Special Education in the state. Innovative and pioneering, he advocated for people with disabilities as an expert lecturer in the field.

Title VI Non-Discrimination

Ray Graham Association complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which states, “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” The final Title VI Program can be found here, which includes an explanation of the complaint and appeal process.