Every Home Should Feel Like One

On Saturday, June 13, Ray Graham Association invites you to join a one-time campaign to bring every RGA home up to the standard the people we support deserve. Attendance is complimentary. We'll have light bites, a hosted bar, a handbag auction, and a chance to make a lasting impact with a one-time investment.

You're Invited

On Saturday, June 13, Ray Graham Association invites you to an intimate gathering for a select group of people. If you care deeply about community-based homes, this is your chance to hear what we're working toward and be part of making it happen.

When: Saturday, June 13, 2025 · 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Wintrust Great Room at Mize Hall · 15W431 E 59th St, Burr Ridge, IL
Cost: Complimentary — no ticket required
Ask: Fund-a-Need paddle raise beginning at $1,000 per giving unit

Attendance is complimentary. Expect a beautifully appointed space, light bites, a hosted bar, a curated handbag auction, and a Fund-a-Need paddle raise. What you won't find: anything that gets between you and the mission of RGA.

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Make a House a Home

An RGA board member invested $100,000 to kickstart the campaign. Her gift was both a foundation and a challenge: match it!

This is your opportunity to do just that. Our need at this event is $50,000, and your best gift is a significant step toward the full $200,000 that funds this work completely.

$200k

The full campaign: Every RGA home, up to the standard we've already set for every person we support, regardless of what their family can afford.

This is a one-time campaign, separate from and in addition to annual giving.

RSVP

The Case for Support

Make a lasting impact with a one-time investment.

The Opportunity

The homes where people with intellectual and developmental differences live are where life happens — morning routines, relationships, rest, and belonging. Ray Graham Association is committed to ensuring every home reflects the dignity of the person living there.

You're invited to bring every RGA home in line with that commitment.

A good home doesn't
guarantee a good life.

But the research suggests
it's a pretty good place to start.

What Families Know

For many families, creating a home that truly fits their loved one takes years of personal investment. The right chair. The right table. The right appliances. Choices that account for accessibility, comfort, and the small details that make a space feel safe and personal.

Not every family has the same financial ability to make that happen.

Government reimbursements
rates shouldn't determine the
quality of someone's homelife.

The Path Forward

Three things make this campaign possible.

One standard for every home. This campaign brings every RGA residential space — all 40+ homes across the western Chicago suburbs — up to a single standard: accessible, durable, dignified, and personal. Not a renovation. A commitment.

The right things, chosen thoughtfully. Accessible equipment. Quality furnishings. Reliable appliances. Personalized spaces. Each purchase is selected for longevity, accessibility, and the specific needs of the people who live there. The lowest price point is rarely the lowest cost over time.

A community that makes it real. This campaign works because a small group of people are willing to invest meaningfully in something lasting. Pre-committed gifts before June 13 shape what's possible on the evening. Together, they release a matching gift that doubles every dollar raised.

What This Means

When people with intellectual and developmental differences live in homes that are personal, accessible, and thoughtfully designed, their lives are measurably better.

Research shows they are 3.6 times more likely to say their services help them live a good life. The difference between a space someone resides in and a home someone belongs to is real, documented, and within our reach to change.

Paula T.

Lives in an RGA home on Swift Avenue, Naperville, IL

"I like the house where I live. I'm proud of the things I help pick out for my home too."

3.6x
Adults with IDD are more likely to report living a good life when their home reflects who they are.

Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 2023

24%
The share of adults with IDD who had a say in choosing where they live — a gap this campaign helps close from the inside out.

Human Services Research Institute, NCI-IDD Survey, 2022–23

This is what your making possible.

Not every chair is the same. Not every table works for a wheelchair. Not every appliance lasts. We've done the research so you can see exactly what the difference between a budget purchase and the right purchase looks like — in cost, in longevity, and in what it means for the person using it every day. This is why the investment level matters.

⭐

safe, functional, and a reasonable place to start

Budget Power Lift Recliner

Estimated Cost: $250
Estimated Lifetime: 2-3 Years
Uses a single-motor mechanism, meaning people cannot adjust their back and legs independently for customized comfort. Faux leather can wear out quickly under heavy use.
Budget Top-Freezer Refrigerator

Estimated Cost: $450
Estimated Lifetime: 5-7 Years
The traditional layout creates a difficult reach—frozen items are too high, and fresh produce crispers require bending too low for people with limited mobility.
Budget Wooden Dining Set

Estimated Cost: $150
Estimated Lifetime: 2-4 Years
The compact size provides very tight clearance for wheelchairs. Basic wood construction chips and dents easily if bumped by mobility equipment.
Budget Adhesive LED Light Strips

Estimated Cost: $15
Estimated Lifetime: 1-2 Years
Only provides very basic accent lighting rather than room-filling illumination. The adhesive backing frequently peels off the walls over time.

⭐⭐

more accessible, more durable, and closer to what people deserve

Basic Metal-Reinforced Lift Recliner

Estimated Cost: $600
Estimated Lifetime: 3-5 Years
Features a stronger metal-reinforced frame, but still relies on a single-motor system. Standard fabric can be difficult to sanitize in a shared living environment.
Basic Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Estimated Cost: $1,000
Estimated Lifetime: 7-10 Years
While it offers a sleek look, the narrow side-by-side freezer shelves make it difficult to store wider items like bulk meal prep containers or frozen pizzas.
Basic Counter-Height Dining Set

Estimated Cost: $450
Estimated Lifetime: 3-5 Years
The counter-height design is frequently inaccessible for people using mobility aids. The upholstered seats are prone to staining and are hard to wipe clean.
Basic Smart White LED Bulb Kit

Estimated Cost: $80
Estimated Lifetime: 3-5 Years
Lacks the color-changing capabilities needed for sensory benefits. Often requires smartphone app management, which can limit independent control.

⭐⭐⭐

ADA-compliant, long-lasting, and less expensive than replacing something twice

Quality French Door Refrigerator

Estimated Cost: $1,800
Estimated Lifetime: 10-15 Years
Offers a highly accessible layout that keeps everyday fresh items at an easy-to-reach height. Features wide shelves and an easy-pull bottom freezer drawer.
Immersive Smart Color Lighting Kit

Estimated Cost: $250
Estimated Lifetime: 5-10 Years
Motion-activated functionality promotes independence as people move through the space. Offers full color control to support individualized sensory therapy and calm environments.
ADA-Compliant Extendable Table Set

Estimated Cost: $1,200
Estimated Lifetime: 10+ Years
Specifically designed for accessibility with perfect wheelchair clearance. Features a highly durable, impact-resistant surface that withstands heavy daily use without chipping.
Healthcare-Grade Tri-Motor Recliner

Estimated Cost: $2,000
Estimated Lifetime: 10+ Years
Built with fluid-resistant vinyl for easy sanitization. The tri-motor system allows completely independent control of the head, back, and legs to maximize comfort and accessibility.