Happy Pride Month from all of us here at Las Trampas! Las Trampas proudly stands with the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and believes that every individual – regardless of ability – has the right to live safely, openly, and genuinely. Let’s continue to create spaces where people of all identities are seen, heard, and valued!
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2025 Spring Newsletter
Dear Friends,
As we welcome the freshness of spring, we are excited to share all about the accomplishments of our community over the past winter!
LAS TRAMPAS IS FEATURED IN THE EAST BAY TIMES
We are thrilled to share that our state-of-the-art facility, which opened in 2022, is featured in the East Bay Times! The article highlights how this incredible space is helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) reach their fullest potential. We are proud to see our mission recognized and to continue making a meaningful impact in our community. Read the full article here!
EMPOWERING VOICES THROUGH VOTING
Our day program proudly supported a nonpartisan voter registration drive to help participants engage in the voting process ahead of the November elections! The initiative focused on providing accessible information about voting, local candidates, and ballot measures. Over 15 participants attended the informational meetings, and 10 chose to register to vote. On Election Day, a group of participants made the journey to the Registrar of Voters office in Martinez, where they cast their votes in person and dropped off their ballots—demonstrating the power of civic participation!
GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY
A group of our participants volunteered at White Pony Express in Concord, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty and hunger by redistributing food and clothing to those in need across Contra Costa County. During this event, our volunteers rolled up their sleeves to sort donated items and prepare them for distribution. This hands-on experience not only supported an important local mission, but also gave our participants a meaningful opportunity to give back and be active contributors in their community!
HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN ACTION!
At Las Trampas, we are committed to empowering our participations with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live healthy, fulfilling lives – and that includes staying active in the community! Our participants love visiting local gyms, where they demonstrate their dedication to wellness while promoting inclusion in shared spaces. Thank you to our community gym partners for fostering welcoming environments that celebrate every individual’s journey toward healthy living!
CELEBRATING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR
In celebration of Chinese New Year, participants in our Life Skills program took part in a hands-on cooking experience in our new teaching kitchen by making homemade pot stickers! The activity began with instructional videos on preparing the dish, followed by a collaborative effort to create a recipe and budget for ingredients. With guidance from staff, participants mixed, shaped, and cooked their pot stickers from scratch. Alongside the culinary fun, they also explored the rich traditions and cultural significance of the Chinese New Year through a series of engaging educational videos!
A DISNEYLAND ADVENTURE
Two residents from Sheila House, one of our residential homes, recently experienced the magic of Disneyland! This unforgettable trip marked a milestone for both participants, who had never had the opportunity to visit before. From meeting beloved characters to enjoying the rides and attractions, the adventure was filled with joy, wonder, and cherished memories. Moments like these highlight the importance of creating inclusive, life-enriching experiences for the people we support!
We are delighted to reflect on a winter full of growth and connection! We are immensely grateful to our donors, volunteers, and staff for their continued support. You all make it possible for our friends and neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to reach new heights and embrace the opportunities ahead. Together, we are shaping a community where everyone can thrive!
With gratitude,
Daniel Hogue
Executive Director
Click here to view our full fall newsletter!
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month—a time to honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of AAPI communities across the nation. This month, we also recognize the vital work of AAPI individuals who advocate for disability rights and inclusion.
One such advocate is Stacey Park Milbern, a Korean American disability justice activist who was born with congenital muscular dystrophy. Stacey played a pivotal role in co-founding the Disability Justice movement, emphasizing the intersectionality of race, gender, and disability. As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, let’s honor the contributions of individuals like Stacey who strive to build a more equitable and inclusive society for all.
Advocacy in Sacramento
Earlier this month, our advocacy group traveled to California’s State Capitol to speak out against proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid – cuts that could seriously harm the vital services that our community depends on.
We need your voice now more than ever! The ARC of California has made it easy to contact your federal congressional representatives and senators directly at bit.ly/42mmyBw.
Thank you for standing with us and supporting our community!
World Autism Awareness Day
Today is World Autism Awareness Day, a time to celebrate the unique strengths and contributions of individuals with autism! At Las Trampas, we are proud to support all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including our 30 participants with autism.
People with autism bring incredible value to our communities, offering diverse perspectives, creative problem-solving skills, and a deep passion for the world around them. Let’s continue to celebrate people with autism and foster an inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive!
Visit https://www.autismspeaks.org/advocacy to advocate and take action today!
National Women’s History Month
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we are taking time to reflect on the incredible women who have shaped history, broken barriers, and paved the way for a more inclusive world! At Las Trampas, we are honoring the strength, resilience, and achievements of all the women in our community who empower themselves by discovering their capabilities and leading full, meaningful lives every day. Their determination and spirit remind us that progress is built by those who dare to challenge limitations and redefine what’s possible!
Neurodiversity Celebration Week & Developmental Disability Awareness Month
March is a powerful month for our community – it’s Developmental Disability Awareness Month and this week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week! At Las Trampas, we are proud to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) as they discover their capabilities and lead full lives.
Raising awareness about IDD and neurodiversity helps break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and foster a more inclusive society where every individual is valued and supported. Join us in celebrating the incredible strengths and unique contributions of our participants – not just this month, but every day!
Black History Month
This Black History Month, we honor Brad Lomax, a civil rights activist who had multiple sclerosis. As a member of the Black Panther Party and a leader in the disability rights movement, Lomax’ advocacy helped pave the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and a more inclusive future.
Join Las Tampas as we celebrate Black History Month and our commitment to creating a future where all individuals – regardless of race or ability – have the opportunity to discover their capabilities and lead full lives.
Check out https://blackdisabilitycenter.org for related resources.
Safeway Foundation Grantee
We are excited to share that Safeway Foundation has made a generous donation in support of the Las Trampas community! Committed to enriching lives and strengthening the communities they serve, Safeway Foundation’s generosity is no doubt making a meaningful impact.
Thanks to this incredible gift, we have installed and painted a new fence at Maureen House, one of our residential homes. The gentlemen at Maureen House love spending time in their backyard, and this new fence will create a safer, more secure, and comfortable space for them to enjoy!
Thank you, Safeway Foundation, for your kindness and commitment to making a difference! We are extremely grateful. http://safewayfoundation.org/
Generosity this Holiday Season
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community this holiday season, we are thrilled to share that we raised nearly $180,000 to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Las Trampas!
Your contributions make it possible for us to continue empowering our participants to lead lives filled with joy, growth, and belonging. With your support, we can supply our Day Program art and cooking classes for a year, host our annual Participant Appreciation Party, certify 15 staff to use an EpiPen, and bring our residential participants on a fun community outing.
We couldn’t be more grateful for your support!