Ray Graham Leader Transitions to Semi-Retirement

It's been nine months since Cathy Ficker Terrill announced plans to retire as president and chief executive officer of Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities. Her next endeavor is quickly approaching, but it can hardly be called "retirement."

On Oct. 1, Ficker Terrill, who has headed RGA for 16 years, will become CEO of the Illinois Institute of Public Policy, which works for policy changes for people with developmental disabilities. Her replacement at Ray Graham has not yet been named.

Ray Graham Association has grown under Ficker Terrill's leadership, but her philosophy has remained focused on the individual.

Making dreams come true

"We believe that Ray Graham can make a difference one person at a time," Ficker Terrill said. "If somebody's lifetime goal is to have a home of their own or get a job in the community, we will help them.

"We had somebody the other day who told us that his whole life, he's wanted to go to a KISS concert. And he got to do that. He went to the KISS concert in Tinley Park. It was pretty exciting."

When a gentleman moved from a state institution to one of the Ray Graham group homes, he had three goals: attend a major league baseball game, get a bicycle and get a job, she said.

"Within six months of moving into our program, he accomplished all three goals," she said. "That's what we're about—making people's dreams come true."

Jane Kaufman, a lifelong resident of Elmhurst, has seen great success through Ray Graham's resources. She recently decided to participate in the Monarch Living Program, which provides transitional housing for adults with developmental disabilities. Jane settled into her new apartment at the beginning of August and is enjoying her new-found independence.

"I love it," she said. "I'm really close to my two jobs and I'm closer to my parents."

Jane is employed by both York High School and a local real estate office. She walks more than a mile a day to and from her jobs.

Jane's mom, Kate Kaufman, said Ficker Terrill played an important role in Jane enrolling in the Monarch Living Program.

"There is a lot of paperwork involved in these situations, and without (Ficker Terrill's) persistence and helpfulness, it would've been harder for Jane to make the big decision."

Jane agreed. "Without Cathy, I wouldn't know where to start."

The blessings of others

Many Ray Graham programs are only partially funded by the state, which means the success of the programs relies heavily on local donations and volunteering, she said.

"We've been blessed with the people from Elmhurst, Lombard and surrounding communities because they do give back, and we appreciate it," Ficker Terrill said.

To show its appreciation, Ray Graham has launched a volunteer program of its own.

"We are assisting people with disabilities to give back," Ficker Terrill said.

In Lombard, Ray Graham member volunteers run the Meals on Wheels program each Wednesday. And in Elmhurst, Ray Graham participates in the Adopt-a-Park program by cleaning up Eldridge Park each month.

A noteworthy career

Ficker Terrill has a master's degree in disability policy and has been a champion for rights and resources for people with disabilities for 34 years. Besides her work for Ray Graham, Ficker Terrill was appointed to the Illinois Special Education Funding Task Force and Gov. Pat Quinn's Task Force on Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities. Her volunteer efforts have benefited many locally and statewide, but also extend internationally through work with UNICEF.

Her new position as CEO of the Institute of Public Policy will allow her to continue her work on behalf of people with disabilities, but it will offer a lighter workload and the ability to work from home.

Kathy Carmody, chief of staff at RGA, has been a colleague of Ficker Terrill for 25 years.

"One of the things I think is so unique about Cathy is that she is a national—and even international—leader in the field of developmental disabilities," Carmody said. "You'd typically see somebody like Cathy off in Washington, D.C., and we have her in DuPage County, bringing everything that she has to her local community."

That's created some of the most progressive programming options for people with disabilities right here in DuPage, like the Monarch Living Program, she said.

"We've got people coming to that program from across the country to participate," Carmody said.

Ficker Terrill's accessible nature and personal connection with those who receive supports is one reason for the success of Ray Graham programs, Carmody said.

"She feels personally responsible for assuring that we are doing the best we can for people."

Ficker Terrill is proud her tenure at Ray Graham is ending with the organization financially stable, well-run and positioned for the future.

"I think Ray Graham will continue to expand services in the community in the areas of supported employment, supported living, family support and early intervention," she said.

Ray Graham Association offers programs at 35 sites in DuPage County and serves more than 2,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities. Two sites are located in Elmhurst: the Monarch Learning Center, 420 W. Madison St., and the Monarch Living Program, 192 E. Park St.