Tonya (Turner) Graves

Where she served as a FOCUS missionary:

Tonya served at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign, IL) during the 2003-2004 school year.  She served the next two years at the University of North Florida (Jacksonville, FL) during the 2004-2006 school years.

What she’s up to now: 

Tonya has moved back to her home state of Colorado and is working as a sales consultant with DynaVox Technologies.  DynaVox Technologies is a company that works to bring the gift of communication to individuals who are unable to speak due to conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism and traumatic brain injury.  Tonya was married in August of 2007.   

How FOCUS impacted her life:

“When I joined FOCUS I had a long way to go to begin to understand the Catholic faith as I do today. A small miracle occurred when I said ‘yes’ to working for FOCUS.  I learned all that I wish someone would have shared with me when I was in college.

First and foremost, I fell in LOVE with the Eucharist.  Second, I have come to realize the woman that God has created me to be in this world and I am still striving everyday to live this out.  Third, this wouldn't be possible if I wouldn't have been given the opportunity to develop a prayer life and taught the importance of having one by living it out in community.  Finally, I had the opportunity to experience true Catholic community.  I learned how important it is to develop a Catholic community wherever God places you in life.  I can say that I have absolutely no regrets leaving corporate America to learn to serve and to be served.  I pray that everyone can have an opportunity like I have had with FOCUS.  I learned all that I wish someone would have shared with me when I was in college.” ~ Tonya Graves