Dear Friends,
Another summer has flown by, filled with sunshine, smiles, and new achievements. We are excited to share the wonderful accomplishments of our participants and staff last season.
CDSA DSP EMPOWERMENT AWARD WINNER
We are thrilled to announce that one of our incredible Day Program Direct Service Providers (DSPs), Carmen Sanchez, won the California Disability Services Association’s DSP Empowerment Award! This award recognizes DSPs state-wide who are making a significant impact in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Carmen has been with Las Trampas for 23 years and continues to inspire us with her dedication, compassion, and positive attitude.
We nominated Carmen because of her devotion to independence, advocacy, and personal growth among those she supports. For example, Carmen supported a participant in tying their own shoes, a skill they previously relied on staff for, by patiently modeling the necessary actions. In another instance, Carmen encouraged a participant’s independence during meals by arranging their food and providing assistance as needed, enabling them to eat independently for the first time. One of the participants she supports is non-ambulatory and non-verbal. Through her connection with both the individual and their family, she has mastered interpreting this person’s expressions and unique methods of communication, and built their trust. Armed with this insight, she not only provides support but also educates the entire staff on the best ways to build relationships with the individual. Carmen’s exceptional ability to understand and articulate the distinctive needs of each participant ensures they receive the highest standard of care.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when our day program was closed, Carmen was the first day program DSP to volunteer to work with Las Trampas’ Supported/Independent Living Services participants in their homes. By providing consistent support during the pandemic, Carmen ensured that the individuals did not feel isolated or neglected, maintaining a sense of normalcy and connection in uncertain times.
This award is extremely well deserved and we are so grateful for all the amazing work Carmen does!
UPDATED MISSION, VISION STATEMENT, AND CORE VALUES
Over the past few months, our Board of Directors, staff, and participants have embarked on a journey of self-reflection and renewal. We’ve carefully updated our mission, and crafted a new vision and core values that better align with Las Trampas’ aspirations and the needs of our community. We are excited unveil the following:
Mission:
Las Trampas’ mission is to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to discover their capabilities and lead full lives in their homes, at work, and in the community.
Vision:
We envision a world where:
- People of all abilities feel a sense of belonging, inclusion, and friendship in their communities, and are valued for their contributions.
- All people are empowered to make choices about their own lives and achieve their highest level of independence and potential.
- Las Trampas serves as a leader and model of excellence for innovative person-centered services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Core Values:
Choice: Las Trampas respects individual autonomy and the rights of people of all abilities to make choices about their own lives and achieve their highest levels of independence and potential.
Impact: We are dedicated to positively impacting the lives of not only the people we serve day to day, but our entire community. We achieve this by providing person-centered innovatively-designed programs that serve a full diversity of needs.
Inclusion: As an organization that serves a historically marginalized population, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging must be a cornerstone of all our services. We advocate broadly for policies that support inclusion and opportunity for all.
Teamwork: Las Trampas is committed to a culture of collaboration and helpfulness while honoring a flexible and caring approach to building lasting partnerships.
Commitment: We are devoted to improving the community we serve with integrity and accountability. We provide the highest quality services in a safe and caring environment.
Fun: Las Trampas goes above and beyond meeting our participants’ basic needs, believing that all people deserve to have fun and fulfilling lives, in their homes, neighborhoods, and work places. When our participants are having fun, we are having fun.
2025 SPRING GALA
Save the date for our Celebration Gala on Saturday, March 8th, 2025, at the beautiful Blackhawk Country Club! More details on sponsorship opportunities and tickets to come.
MUSIC AND MOVEMENT CLASS
The new semester at our Adult Day Program has brought with it an exciting addition, our Music & Movement class, by the request of our participants and staff. This class has quickly gained popularity, offering a diverse range of activities including dancing, karaoke, musical instrument sessions, and educational explorations into music and culture. By adding this class, our day program now boasts a total of seven class offerings: Art, Health & Wellness, Life Skills, Adventurers, Advocacy/Volunteers & Occupations, Explorers, and Music & Movement. These class offerings empower our participants to make choices to govern their own day-to-day lives.
NEW BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST
We were very excited to welcome Anthony Foglia, our new Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), who joined the Las Trampas team in July! With over two decades of experience working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Anthony is passionate about building strong relationships with our participants and empowering them to “develop skills that allow them to live the life that they want.” We are incredibly grateful for Anthony’s valuable skills and expertise.
RESIDENTIAL HOMES
From apricot picking to relaxing at Lover’s Point Beach, the residents of Maureen and Sheila Houses made the most of the summer outdoors. Both homes achieved outstanding results in their recent unannounced Quality Assurance inspections, surpassing expectations and earning praise for being a model of excellence for how these types of homes should operate.
It was a busy summer, and we are incredibly grateful for the support of our donors, volunteers, and staff who make it possible for our friends and neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities to discover their capabilities and lead full lives. Together, we are creating a brighter future for everyone.
As you may know, my sabbatical is beginning next week, and I will be returning on January 2nd. The Las Trampas community will be in my thoughts, but I feel confident that our team will continue to flourish in my absence. During my sabbatical, please direct all of your communications to the most appropriate contact below.
With gratitude,
Daniel Hogue
Executive Director
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