Ray Graham Association

An Evening for the Homes We Share

On Saturday, June 13, Ray Graham Association invites you to Mize Hall in Burr Ridge for a cocktail gathering that is both honest and hopeful. Attendance is complimentary. We'll have light bites, a hosted bar, a handbag auction, and a real conversation about the people we support and what they deserve.

Life at a RGA Home (91)

The Need

Where you live shouldn't depend on luck.

Research shows that only 24% of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities had a say in choosing where they live. Yet when people have genuine input into making their home personal, accessible, and built around who they are, they are 3.6 times more likely to say their services help them live a good life.

At RGA, we've seen this firsthand.

Some families of the people we support pour enormous resources into making their loved one's home beautiful. That generosity is deeply moving. And it's also true that not every family has those same resources — and it shouldn't determine the quality of someone's home.

Accessible Equipment: Power Lift Recliners

  • Budget Power Lift Recliner

    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.

  • Basic Metal-Reinforced Lift Recliner

    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.

  • Quality Healthcare-Grade Tri-Motor Recliner

    Quality 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.

Reliable Appliances: Kitchen

  • Budget Top-Freezer Refrigerator

    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.

  • Basic Side-by-Side Refrigerator

    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.

  • Quality French Door Refrigerator

    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.

Quality Furnishings: Dining Room

  • Budget Wooden Dining Set

    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.

  • Basic Counter-Height Dining Set

    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.

  • Quality ADA-Compliant Extendable Table Set

    Quality 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.

Personalized Spaces: Sensory & Lighting

  • Budget Adhesive LED Light Strips

    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.

  • Basic Smart White LED Bulb Kit

    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.

  • Quality Immersive Smart Color Lighting Kit

    Quality 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.

The Solution

This is a one-time effort to address bring every RGA home up to the standard the people we support deserve.

Accessible equipment. Quality furnishings. Reliable appliances. Personalized spaces. 

The kinds of choices people make when money isn't the limiting factor.

Board member Stephanie Stomberg has already invested $100,000 to make this possible. Our need at this event is $50,000, the next significant step toward matching her gift and funding the full $200,000 campaign.

Ray Graham Association is one of fewer than ten organizations worldwide to hold CQL's Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation with Distinction (the highest quality certification available in our field).

About the Evening

This event is intentionally small. We've moved it to our beautifully renovated space in Burr Ridge to keep overhead low and keep your investment focused on people. There are no tickets to purchase and no raffle to win. At the heart of the gathering is a Fund-a-Need paddle raise beginning at $1,000 per giving unit, supplemented by a live and silent handbag auction.

This is a one-time ask, separate from and in addition to your annual support of RGA. We're not asking anyone to redirect their giving from our mission. We're asking people to go a little further, this one time, for something concrete.

If you're considering a commitment before June 13, we'd love to connect.

Schedule a call with Alan

RSVP

Reserve your spot by June 6. Space is limited.

Sources:

3.6x: İsvan, Bonardi & Hiersteiner, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 2023

24%: Human Services Research Institute, National Core Indicators IDD In-Person Survey, 2022–23