Gail Day’s journey with Cedar Lake is more than just a career—it’s a calling. She first joined in 2012 as a social worker, took a brief break, and returned in 2016 as a QIDP. Today, she serves as the Cedar Lake Lodge social worker and assistant director of service planning, bringing over four decades of experience and a deep passion for helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
And if you visit Cedar Lake in December, you’ll find Gail spreading joy in her own way—wearing a Christmas sweater every day and bells on her shoes, making sure the holiday spirit is felt by everyone around her.
Finding Her Path
Gail’s journey in this field started 42 years ago while she was a college student in Texas. She needed a job to pay for school, and a local organization had a second-shift houseparent position that fit her schedule. That experience opened her heart to working with individuals with disabilities, and she never looked back. Over the years, she worked as a houseparent, case manager, and consultant, even troubleshooting challenging situations for organizations. But something always felt missing—until she found Cedar Lake.
“When I interviewed here, I fell in love,” Gail said. “Cedar Lake is different. We do things the right way. That’s why I stay. I will retire here.”
Making an Impact
Gail earned her social work degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, knowing that human services was where she belonged. “This field is either for you, or it’s not. If it’s right, you just know,” she said.
As Assistant Director of Service Planning, she manages QIDPs, oversees service plans, chairs the Interdisciplinary Team and Human Rights Committee, and is often the first point of contact for new admissions. She also helps families navigate Cedar Lake’s waiting list and conducts tours for those exploring options for their loved ones.
“I love my job,” Gail said. “No two days are ever the same. I also teach rights and participates in new employee orientation. We are now reaching out to schools to educate them on resources. Families can add their loved ones on Cedar Lake’s ICF waiting list as early as age 16.”
Challenges and Rewards
One of the toughest parts of Gail’s job is getting calls from families she can’t directly help because their needs don’t align with Cedar Lake’s services. In those cases, she does everything she can to connect them with the right resources.
But the rewards far outweigh the challenges.
“My favorite thing about Cedar Lake is that we always find a way to make things happen,” she said.
She loves cheering at Special Olympics bowling and celebrating strikes. One of her most touching memories is with an individual experiencing early-onset dementia. Some days he remembers her, some days he doesn’t. But after she returned from vacation, he walked into her office and said, “You’re back! Where have you been?”
“For 42 years, I’ve had more good days than bad,” Gail said. “I get so much more out of working here than I give. We are honored and blessed to do this work.”
Family and Life Outside of Work
Gail’s passion for helping others extends to her family. Her son, Shawn, is a middle school band instructor. As a teacher, he understands the importance of meeting the unique needs of every individual—a value instilled in him by his mother’s lifelong dedication. Her daughter, Megan, is a licensed master’s level Social Worker who spent time volunteering at Cedar Lake while in undergraduate school.
She is also a proud Mamaw to two grandchildren, a boy and a girl, and loves that she can bring them to Cedar Lake for kid-friendly activities. “It’s important that they grow up understanding that people are unique,” she said.
When she’s not at Cedar Lake, Gail enjoys bass fishing, spending time at the lake, and quilting. She has two miniature Australian Shepherds that keep her busy, and she dreams of scuba diving in Cozumel again. “It was the most incredible experience,” she said.
Looking to the Future
As people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live longer, their medical and therapeutic needs become more complex, reinforcing the importance of intermediate care facilities. “People often don’t realize how critical skilled services—like occupational, physical, and speech therapy—are for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Gail explained.
She also believes strongly in community support. “When you donate to Cedar Lake, you see exactly where your money goes. I hope more community and state leaders take the time to tour our facilities and understand the options for care.”
One of the most unique things about Cedar Lake is its continuum of care. “As individuals’ needs change, they can move from family home providers to independent or semi-independent apartments to 24-hour staffed residences and intermediate care facilities. That’s rare.”