If you have an interest in furthering the advancement of the status of persons with disabilities in Iroquois and Kankakee Counties and believe in the independent living philosophy, you may be a candidate for our Board. Options CIL’s Board has openings from time to time so please contact us if you want to find out more about Board opportunities or if you want a Board application form.
Options’ Board meets monthly on the fourth Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m.
Romero Lewis, President
Amber Cahue, Vice President
Dina Raymond, Secretary
Larry Burton, Treasurer
Todd Brack
Amber Gocken
Kay Jurica
Amanda Martinez
Ashley Prairie
Romero Lewis – President
Romero joined our Board in July 2015 after retiring as a pilot from Fedex and the US Air Force. He moved to Kankakee in 2014 where he is now a project manager for CSL Behring.
He brings with him valuable experience working with and supporting charitable organizations in many localities, including United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, Ladies Day Golf, Air Force Academy Assoc., and Chicago Night Kitchen. He has also actively supported our advocacy and fundraising community events.
Originally from Virginia, Romero now lives in St Anne with his partner Shane, and has a son, Kyle, who is finishing up his degree work at the University of Iowa. In his spare time, you may see him on stage in local productions or leading various activities at his parish of Maternity BVM.
Amber Cahue – Vice President
Amber joined Options CIL in 2019. She has been a community advocate in the Kankakee area since 2009. She began her service in the local community through Iroquois County Animal Rescue fostering abused animals. Amber began leadership with the Kankakee Area Jaycees in 2017, she was voted to the board in 2018 and raised to President for the years of 2019 and 2020. Amber was also part of the beginning board for the Kankakee Area Sleep in Heavenly Peace. She has also volunteered for KVTA, Christmas Inc., Camp Shaw, Kankakee, and Iroquois disaster relief, Beautiful-I-Am, and Humble Design.
Amber resides in Danforth, IL with her boyfriend, Ryan Walters, and her son, Barrett Walters and her two dogs. Amber graduated with her bachelor’s in psychology in 2013 and then master’s in occupational therapy in 2017. She is passionate about her service to her community and can be found venturing into many different venues and organizations. Currently, she works for State Farm Corporate.
Amber enjoys traveling near and far and has been to 44 states and 8 other countries. She enjoys learning about other cultures and enjoys experiences that explore and educate.
Dina Raymond – Secretary
Dina joined the Board in 2008. A former employee of Options, Dina has a great respect for the organization and the people involved. She has an understanding of persons with disabilities and the barriers that are faced on a day-to-day basis. She understands the programs and what the funding sources require making her unique perspective a valuable addition to the Board.
Larry Burton – Treasurer
Larry joined the Options board in 2016, he has been an active volunteer with Options helping with funding fundraisers through Thrivent since 2008. Larry has been a Thrivent Financial Professional since 2011, his office is in Watseka, he is licensed in both Illinois and Indiana.
Larry grew up on a family farm in rural Sheldon, now resides in Martinton with his wife Denise. Larry and Denise have two grown children and two grandsons. Larry has been a long-term runner and has a goal of running a marathon in all the states, currently has completed marathons in 29 states.
Larry is active with the Watseka Kiwanis Club, Iroquois Early Risers Toastmasters Club, serves on the board at United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties and Faith Lutheran Church. You will see Larry volunteer with many fundraisers and service activities throughout Illiana.
Kathryn (Kay) Fox Jurica
Kay joined Options CIL Board in 2016 and is owner of Home Helpers of Bourbonnais which provides care to seniors. Home Helpers has received numerous awards recognizing outstanding growth, client satisfaction, and employer of choice by the national Home Helpers organization.
She completed her education as a certified respiratory therapist at Kankakee Community College. She worked at Christ Hospital, Presence St. Mary’s Hospital and Riverside Medical Center.
She previously served on the boards of the Kankakee County Medical Society Alliance, the Women in Network organization, the Kankakee County Alzheimer’s Association and St. Joseph’s Church in Manteno. She now serves on the board of Options, Inc.
She and her husband have five grown children. She enjoys crocheting, traveling, and gardening.
Advisory Members to the Board
Suzie Bell
Debra Ann Caise RN, BSN
Linda Clatterbuck
Jean Green
Greg Hankey
Laura Holloway
Deb Hoyer-Denson
Brandi Kaner
Chris King
Nancy Moore
Brenda Randazzo
Melissa Tanner
Diane Theesfeld
Carla Waters