Category: Uncategorized

Become a Board Member of Las Trampas

Posted on by Shannon Cherry

Help guide the future of Las Trampas by joining a dedicated leadership team committed to long-term sustainability, strong governance, and meaningful community impact.

Lead With Purpose

Las Trampas is seeking a dedicated board member to help advance our mission, strengthen our leadership, and support the organization’s continued growth. As a board member, you will play an important role in shaping strategy, setting policy, and helping ensure Las Trampas remains sustainable for years to come.

Support Financial Sustainability

Board members provide essential oversight of Las Trampas’ financial health, including reviewing budgets, financial reports, audits, and major organizational decisions. Your leadership will help ensure responsible stewardship, legal compliance, and the resources needed to continue serving our community.

Champion Our Mission

As an ambassador for Las Trampas, you will help build relationships, support fundraising efforts, advocate for our programs, and represent the organization to key stakeholders. This is an opportunity to use your experience, connections, and passion to make a lasting difference.

Apply to become a Board Member

Inclusion in Action: Celebrating Las Trampas Volunteers This National Volunteer Month

Posted on by Shannon Cherry

Every April, National Volunteer Month shines a light on the people who make communities stronger through service. It is a time to celebrate compassion, generosity, and the everyday actions that help others feel supported, seen, and connected.

It is also a time to challenge the assumptions that still limit how society views contribution.

Too often, people underestimate who is able to give back in meaningful ways. There is a persistent and harmful belief that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities cannot contribute in ways that truly matter. But that belief does not hold up to reality.

At Las Trampas, people with IDD are not standing on the sidelines. They are active volunteers, generous neighbors, and valued members of the community. They are showing up, doing meaningful work, and making a real difference in the lives of others. Their service is powerful not only because of what gets done, but because of what it reveals: ability is far greater than the limits other people sometimes imagine.

Service That Challenges Stereotypes

One of the most powerful ways to break stereotypes is through action.

People can debate inclusion, talk about ability, or question what participation should look like. But when people with IDD volunteer in their communities, the conversation changes. Their work becomes visible proof of what has always been true: everyone has something valuable to offer.

At Las Trampas, volunteerism is not symbolic. It is real. It is practical. It is impactful. Every hour given, every task completed, and every act of service helps strengthen the community while also pushing back against outdated assumptions.

That matters because inclusion is not about lowering expectations. It is about recognizing strengths, creating opportunities, and giving every person the chance to contribute in ways that are meaningful and respected.

Caring for Community Spaces

Some Las Trampas volunteers help clean local hiking trails, taking care of outdoor spaces that the entire community can enjoy.

This kind of service reflects dedication, teamwork, and pride. It takes effort to show up consistently, work together, and help maintain places that bring people outdoors and bring communities together. A cleaner trail is more than just a tidier space. It becomes a safer, more welcoming place for families, neighbors, and visitors.

That impact is easy to overlook because it feels simple. But often, the most meaningful forms of service are built on simple actions done with care and consistency. Showing up, putting in the work, and making shared spaces better step by step is one of the clearest ways to demonstrate community pride.

Supporting Neighbors Through White Pony Express

Other volunteers support White Pony Express by helping clean, bundle food, and organize clothing for the people the organization serves.

These tasks are practical, but they also carry real human meaning. Organizing food and clothing helps create dignity, order, and access for individuals and families who need support. Behind every bundled item and every prepared donation is the effort of someone who chose to help.

That is what meaningful service looks like. It is not always public. It is not always glamorous. But it matters deeply.

This kind of volunteer work turns compassion into action. It transforms kindness into something people can rely on. When volunteers help prepare food and clothing for distribution, they are doing more than completing tasks. They are helping move care through the community in ways that are tangible and immediate.

Showing Leadership at Las Trampas Fundraisers

Some people supported by Las Trampas have also volunteered at Las Trampas fundraisers, helping make community events possible while supporting the organization’s mission.

That kind of participation reflects leadership, responsibility, and belonging. It shows that people with IDD are not just recipients of support. They are active participants in the success of the organization and in the broader life of the community.

Fundraisers do more than raise money. They bring people together. They build awareness. They strengthen relationships. And the volunteers who help make them successful play an important role in shaping how others understand inclusion, dignity, and capability.

Their presence at these events helps tell a bigger story, one that says community is strongest when everyone has the chance to take part and contribute their time, energy, and talents.

Offering Comfort Through Compassionate Service

The spirit of service at Las Trampas extends into many forms of care.

Some individuals have made blankets for unhoused shelters, creating something warm, practical, and deeply human for neighbors facing hardship. Others have provided support to animals in shelters, offering comfort and compassion to animals waiting for safety and a home.

These acts may look different from one another, but they are connected by the same truth: every person has something meaningful to give.

Service can look like physical work. It can look like organizing supplies. It can look like crafting something by hand. It can look like gentle care for a vulnerable animal. Every form of contribution matters because every form of contribution reflects heart, purpose, and humanity.

What National Volunteer Month Really Reminds Us

National Volunteer Month is about recognizing the people who show up for others. But it should also remind us to look more closely at the many ways people contribute, especially when those contributions are too often underestimated.

People with IDD can contribute. People with IDD do contribute. And communities are stronger, kinder, and more connected because of it.

That is the real lesson behind inclusive volunteerism. When communities make room for everyone’s strengths, everyone benefits. We do not build stronger communities by deciding who is worthy of participation. We build stronger communities by creating opportunities, removing barriers, and honoring the value each person brings.

Inclusion is not a favor. It is a commitment to seeing people clearly and valuing them fully.

Celebrating the Volunteers of Las Trampas

This National Volunteer Month, we celebrate the volunteers of Las Trampas and the example they set for all of us.

They remind us that service is not defined by stereotypes. It is defined by effort, compassion, and impact. They remind us that belonging grows when people are trusted with meaningful opportunities to contribute. And they remind us that a truly inclusive community is one where every person’s gifts are recognized and appreciated.

When we create communities that welcome everyone’s strengths, we do more than open doors. We build a culture where every contribution can shine.

Please join us in honoring the volunteers of Las Trampas, supporting the organization’s mission, and helping create a world where every act of service is seen, valued, and celebrated.

This St. Patrick’s Day, Let’s Retire One Harmful Idea About Disability

Posted on by Shannon Cherry

Every St. Patrick’s Day, people talk about luck. But one of the most harmful things a person can say is that they feel “lucky” no one in their family has a disability.

Maybe they do not mean it to sound cruel. Maybe they think they are simply expressing gratitude for an easier life. But underneath that thought is a message that deserves closer attention: the idea that disability automatically makes a life smaller, harder to value, or less worth celebrating.

At Las Trampas, we know that is not true.

For decades, families, staff, advocates, and community members have seen something very different. They have seen adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build lives full of growth, connection, contribution, joy, and purpose. They have seen that the real issue is not disability itself. The real issue is whether people are welcomed, supported, respected, and given the opportunity to thrive.

So this St. Patrick’s Day, it may be time to retire one harmful idea about disability and replace it with something better.

Why the “Lucky” Mindset Misses the Point

When someone says they are lucky not to have disability in their family, they are usually separating the world into two groups: families like theirs, who believe they have been spared, and other families, who are seen as carrying a burden.

That way of thinking is harmful because it turns disability into a symbol of misfortune instead of recognizing disabled people as full human beings with strengths, preferences, dreams, relationships, and gifts to share. It encourages pity where respect should be. It creates distance where there should be belonging.

It also ignores a deeper truth: a good life is not defined by whether it looks easy from the outside. A good life is defined by whether a person has the chance to make choices, build relationships, grow in confidence, participate in community, and be valued for who they are.

That is the kind of life Las Trampas has long worked to support. Not a life measured by narrow ideas of “normal,” but a full life shaped by dignity, independence, and community.

Disability Is Not Something That Only Happens to “Other People”

Another problem with the “lucky” mindset is that it is often based on a false assumption.

Many people think disability is always obvious. They assume they would know immediately if someone in their family had one. But life is rarely that simple. Some disabilities are visible. Many are not. Some people speak openly about their experiences. Others stay private because of stigma, fear, misunderstanding, or years of being treated differently.

That means many people who say, “No one in my family has a disability,” may simply not know the full story.

A relative may be living with a learning disability, autism, mental health condition, hearing loss, chronic illness, brain injury, or another disability that has never been named in family conversations. An older family member may have grown up without the language or support to describe their experience. Someone else may have decided that keeping it private felt safer than risking judgment.

So the issue is not only that the thought is hurtful. It is that the thought is often uninformed.

Disability is not rare. It is not a separate category of life reserved for strangers. It is part of the human experience, and it exists across families, neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities.

What Families and Communities Need Is Not Distance, But Inclusion

If disability is part of human life, then the goal should not be to feel relieved when we think it is far away from us.

The goal should be to build families and communities where people of all abilities belong.

That means asking different questions.

Not: “How lucky are we to avoid this?”

But: “How well do we welcome people?”
“How well do we listen?”
“How well do we support independence?”
“How well do we make room for different ways of living, learning, communicating, and participating?”

These are questions worth sitting with.

Because what truly strengthens a family or community is not the absence of disability. It is the presence of love without condescension, support without pity, opportunity without exclusion, and belonging without conditions.

At Las Trampas, that belief is central. Every person deserves the opportunity to discover their capabilities and lead a full life. Every person deserves to be seen for more than a label. Every person deserves a community that expects possibility, not limitation.

What to Think Instead

If “I’m lucky no one in my family has a disability” is the wrong thought, what should replace it?

A better thought might be this:

I hope every person in my family and community is valued, supported, and included.

That changes everything. It shifts the focus away from fear and toward responsibility. It leaves room for people to be exactly who they are, without being treated as a problem to avoid.

Another better thought is:

Disability is part of life, and every life has value.

That reflection is more honest and more humane. It does not deny that challenges exist. It simply refuses to reduce a person’s worth to those challenges.

And perhaps the most important thought is this:

Instead of asking whether disability touches my family, I should ask whether my family makes space for disabled people to belong.

That is the reflection that opens hearts. That is the reflection that changes communities. That is the reflection that moves us closer to a world where people are not judged by how closely they fit a narrow standard, but welcomed as full members of the community.

A Better St. Patrick’s Day Reflection

St. Patrick’s Day is often about good fortune, celebration, and cheerful traditions. There is nothing wrong with enjoying those things. But it is also a chance to think more carefully about what we call luck.

Is it luck to believe your family’s value depends on being untouched by disability?

Or is it better fortune to live in a community where people are respected, included, and empowered to live full lives?

The better answer is clear.

Real good fortune is not distance from disability. Real good fortune is being part of a world that recognizes human dignity in every person. Real good fortune is helping create homes, workplaces, and communities where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not underestimated, overlooked, or pitied, but known, welcomed, and supported.

That is the kind of vision worth carrying beyond a holiday.

So this St. Patrick’s Day, let’s retire one harmful idea about disability.

Let’s retire the belief that a family is “lucky” if disability is nowhere near it.

Because that thought is rude.
It is often wrong.
And it keeps us stuck in a narrow understanding of what makes a life meaningful.

Let’s think something better instead.

Let’s think about dignity.
Let’s think about inclusion.
Let’s think about friendship, opportunity, independence, and belonging.
Let’s think about the kind of community we are building together.

That is a better reflection for St. Patrick’s Day.

And for Las Trampas, it is a reminder of something worth saying all year long: every person has capabilities, every person deserves belonging, and every person should have the chance to lead a full life.

From Awareness to Action: Inclusion Every Day

Posted on by Helena Welsh

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) is more than a moment on the calendar. It is an opportunity to recognize the value, contributions, and presence of people with developmental disabilities in every part of community life. It is also a call to strengthen inclusion, deepen understanding, and create spaces where everyone is seen, supported, and welcomed.

This year’s theme, “We’re Here: Then, Now, Always.” captures that message powerfully. People with developmental disabilities have always been part of our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities. They are here today, and they will always belong. True inclusion asks more of us than awareness alone. It calls us to build communities rooted in opportunity, connection, dignity, and belonging every day.

Why Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Matters

Awareness matters when it leads to action. It becomes meaningful when it challenges assumptions, encourages understanding, and opens the door to authentic relationships and shared experiences. Real awareness helps create communities where people with developmental disabilities are not simply acknowledged, but fully included, genuinely valued, and supported in living rich, connected lives.

How Las Trampas Turns Awareness Into Action

At Las Trampas, this work happens every day. We support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through services that strengthen independence, community connection, and quality of life, including:

  • Choice in daily life
  • Community outings
  • Home life supports
  • Skill-building

Through this work, adults with IDD are supported in pursuing personal goals, building meaningful relationships, and living with dignity and belonging. At Las Trampas, inclusion is not just an idea. It lives in everyday moments, small victories, growing confidence, and the connections that make community possible.

Together, let’s keep showing up for inclusion — then, now, and always.

Making Holiday Gatherings Truly Inclusive for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Posted on by Shannon Cherry

The holiday season is often described as “the most wonderful time of the year.” But for many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it can also be one of the most overwhelming.

What looks festive to some—
🎵 Loud music
💡 Bright, flashing lights
👥 Crowded rooms
📅 Packed, unpredictable schedules

—can feel stressful, disorienting, or even physically uncomfortable to others.

At Las Trampas, we believe everyone deserves to experience celebrations where they feel safe, respected, and included. That’s why we created a new resource: the Inclusive Celebration Hosting Tip Sheet.

This one-page guide offers simple, practical ideas any host can use to make gatherings more welcoming for adults with developmental disabilities—without needing a big budget or a “perfect” home.

👉 Get the free tip sheet here: holidaytips.lastrampas.org

Why Inclusive Holiday Planning Matters

Holidays are more than dates on a calendar. They’re moments of connection—time spent with family, friends, coworkers, and community. But when celebrations are designed only for people who are comfortable with noise, crowds, and constant stimulation, others can be unintentionally left out.

For adults with developmental disabilities, common holiday environments can bring:

  • Sensory overload
  • Social anxiety or confusion
  • Fatigue from changes in routine
  • Pressure to participate in activities that don’t feel accessible

Inclusive planning helps reduce these barriers. It ensures that more people can enjoy the season instead of simply enduring it.

What’s Inside the Inclusive Celebration Hosting Tip Sheet

The Inclusive Celebration Hosting Tip Sheet is designed to be:

  • Short: Just one page
  • Actionable: Concrete ideas you can use right away
  • Accessible: Plain, friendly language—no jargon

You Don’t Need a Big Budget or a Perfect Space

One of the most important messages behind the Inclusive Celebration Hosting Tip Sheet is this:

Inclusion is about intention, not perfection.

You don’t need:

  • A large house
  • Expensive décor
  • Elaborate entertainment

Small, thoughtful adjustments can make a big difference in how a guest experiences your event. Even choosing one or two ideas from the tip sheet can help your gathering feel more welcoming and accessible.

How to Use the Tip Sheet

Here are a few practical ways to use the resource:

  • Planning: Refer to it while you’re organizing your guest list, schedule, and space.
  • Co-hosting: Share it with family members, friends, or colleagues who are helping you host.
  • Workplace & community events: Apply the same concepts to office parties, community celebrations, and other group events—not just family gatherings.
  • Year-round: The ideas work beyond December. Birthdays, barbecues, and everyday get-togethers can all benefit from inclusive planning.

When you download the tip sheet, you’ll also receive a few follow-up emails from Las Trampas with additional suggestions to help expand inclusivity wherever you go—at home, at work, and in the community.

Download the Free Inclusive Celebration Hosting Tip Sheet

If you’re hosting a gathering—or know someone who is—we invite you to download and share this free resource.

Get the tip sheet here: holidaytips.lastrampas.org

Small changes can lead to celebrations where more people feel comfortable, included, and truly welcomed. That’s what the holidays are all about.

Plug-In to Care: The Power of Connection for Family Caregivers

Posted on by Helena Welsh

The room is quiet except for the soft, steady click of a pill organizer. A mom double-checks Tuesday’s meds, sets a reminder for speech therapy, and texts a ride-share code to her dad’s volunteer driver. She isn’t a superhero. She’s a caregiver—doing a full‑time job on “nights and weekends.” At Las Trampas, we see her every day: the person who makes a thousand invisible decisions so a loved one with a developmental disability can learn, work, and live with dignity. As our new video puts it, caregivers are the heartbeat of our community—and this year, we’re asking everyone to plug in.

🔌 Connection isn’t a luxury. It’s the plan.

There’s a reason the 2025 National Family Caregivers Month theme is “Plug‑In to Care.” Caregiver Action Network made connection the headline because the right tools, networks, and learning moments turn overwhelm into a workable plan. In plain English: you shouldn’t need a PhD or a lucky break to find reliable help. The national campaign is focused on helping caregivers plug into support tools, trusted networks, and educational resources—exactly what we invest in at Las Trampas. (caregiveraction.org)

📈 The numbers behind the love (and the workload)

Let’s get specific. More than one in five U.S. adults—about 53 million people—provide unpaid care to a family member or friend. Many are caring for adults with disabilities, chronic conditions, or age‑related needs. That’s not a niche; that’s a national operating system running in the background of the economy. (aarp.org)

Time is the other currency. Caregivers report spending an average of about 24 hours each week on care, and a sizable share are clocking 40+ hours—functionally a second job without the paycheck. It’s no surprise that coordinating care is getting harder and caregivers’ own health is slipping. (press.aarp.org)

And yes, the dollars add up. Family caregivers’ unpaid labor was valued at roughly $600 billion in 2021—more than total out‑of‑pocket health spending that year. That’s the value of love and logistics, quantified. (press.aarp.org)

🧰 When caregivers plug in, chaos becomes a care plan

It’s workshops that decode services without the alphabet soup. It’s support groups where no one needs a primer to understand the day you just had. It’s a staff that is here to connect caregivers with the resources they need—because no one should have to navigate this journey alone. Those connections don’t just feel good; they save time, reduce errors, and keep families stable.

Nationally, this connection focus is showing up in real offerings—like caregiver webinar series on finding trustworthy resources, building caregiver‑friendly workplaces, and strengthening community ties. Pair that with local, disability‑informed coaching, and you’ve got a system that actually works for real families in places like Lafayette. (caregiveraction.org)

🕰️ The invisible math: time, cash, and tough choices

Here’s the part funders and employers can’t ignore. The typical caregiver spends about $7,242 out of pocket each year—often more than a quarter of their income. Housing costs (think rent contributions or accessibility modifications) make up over half, while medical expenses and supplies chew through the rest. Veteran and military caregivers spend even more—averaging $11,500 annually. If you’re designing benefits, grants, or donor strategies, build for those realities. (aarp.org)

Caregivers are also workers—most hold a job while caregiving—and many are caring for more than one person. When the system assumes “someone at home will figure it out,” that “someone” is usually skipping shifts, burning PTO, or saying no to promotions. That’s not resilience; that’s a policy gap you can fix. (aarp.org)

🧠 Stamina is a strategy, not a perk

Caregiving isn’t just logistics; it’s stamina. In national studies, more caregivers report their own health getting worse, not better. That’s the cost of running on adrenaline and guilt. The antidote isn’t a motivational poster; it’s accessible education, peer support, and respite that’s easy to claim. Our video’s core promise—you are not alone—isn’t word art; it’s a service design principle. (aarp.org)

Caregivers are not a side audience; they’re a core market and the backbone of community care. If you’re a caregiver, connect with us. If you’re a partner, help us expand the on‑ramps. And if you’re a decision‑maker, design for the people doing the real work—because when caregivers are supported, everyone moves forward.

Embracing Diversity: A Movement, Not a Moment

Posted on by Helena Welsh

October is the month where the world comes together to celebrate Global Diversity Awareness Month. It’s a time to recognize and honor the vibrant tapestry of cultures, identities, and perspectives that make our world extraordinary. But let’s be real—diversity isn’t just about what sets us apart. It’s about what brings us together.

The core message here is simple yet profound: diversity is the strength in our stories, the power in our perspectives, and the beauty in our differences. At Las Trampas, this means empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full, meaningful lives. Through inclusive programs, community engagement, and celebration of neurodiversity, Las Trampas helps break down barriers and build belonging. This isn’t just a one-month gig; it’s a year-round commitment to celebrating the unique contributions of every individual.

The Strength in Our Stories

Diversity is like a patchwork quilt, each piece unique yet essential to the whole. At Las Trampas, diversity means more than just acknowledging differences. It’s about empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full, meaningful lives. This empowerment is achieved through a variety of inclusive programs that are designed to engage the community and celebrate neurodiversity. By doing so, Las Trampas breaks down barriers and fosters a sense of belonging.

The Power in Our Perspectives

Every individual has a story to tell, and every story has the power to change perspectives. Las Trampas believes that when we embrace diversity, we don’t just change the conversation—we change lives. This belief is reflected in their commitment to celebrating the unique contributions of every individual, not just during Global Diversity Awareness Month, but every single day.

The Beauty in Our Differences

Diversity isn’t a moment; it’s a movement. It’s a continuous journey that requires us to embrace the beauty in our differences. At Las Trampas, this journey is about more than just celebrating diversity—it’s about living it. By fostering an environment where everyone is valued and included, Las Trampas is changing the narrative around intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Embracing Diversity Year-Round

While October is a special time to highlight diversity, the commitment to inclusion at Las Trampas is ongoing. We believe that diversity should be celebrated every day, and that when we embrace it, we create a world where everyone can thrive.

In the end, diversity isn’t just about changing the conversation—it’s about changing lives. And that’s a movement worth being a part of.

Small Acts, Big Equity: How “Make a Difference Day” Becomes a 365-Day Strategy at Las Trampas

Posted on by Helena Welsh

The first time I watched a Las Trampas participant lead a garden volunteer crew, I realized we were underestimating the word “difference.” He wasn’t a “client” waiting for help; he was the foreman—assigning roles, cracking jokes, and pulling everyone into the work. By lunch, shy new volunteers were swapping stories, a local manager was asking about internships, and one participant was proudly saying, I show people what I can do. That’s a business case for inclusion—rooted in everyday actions that compound like interest.

Why this matters now—beyond one Saturday in October

On National Make a Difference Day, our message is simple: Adults with IDD are leaders, friends, and neighbors. The data backs up why centering their leadership isn’t charity—it’s strategy.

Scope of the opportunity: More than 1 in 4 U.S. adults—over 70 million people—report having a disability. If your product, hiring, or community strategy doesn’t include disabled adults, it’s missing the market by a mile. (cdc.gov)

Untapped talent: In 2024, only 22.7% of people with disabilities were employed, compared with 65.5% of those without disabilities. Translation: massive skill sitting on the sidelines because of design barriers, not lack of ability. (bls.gov)

Proof it pays: Companies leading in disability inclusion show, on average, 28% higher revenue and 30% higher profit margins than peers. Talent + access + belonging equals performance. That’s not soft; that’s P&L. (newsroom.accenture.com)

At Las Trampas our programming lives this out: Making a difference doesn’t always mean big gestures. It’s supported employment, peer leadership, art shows that become sales, and volunteer days where participants run point. Small acts; big equity.

From volunteer moment to talent pipeline

If you run a company or foundation, volunteering isn’t just optics—it’s infrastructure for hiring and partnership.

People who volunteer are 27% more likely to secure employment than non-volunteers. For those without a high school diploma and for rural volunteers, the odds jump to 51% and 55%. When your team shows up, you’re not “helping for a day”; you’re building mobility. (americorps.gov)

And yes, this holiday is real: Make a Difference Day is observed the fourth Saturday in October—an easy anchor for a fall service sprint that kicks off year-round engagement. (nationaldaycalendar.com)

At Las Trampas, participants aren’t sidekicks on volunteer day—they’re the captains. You’ll see task boards, inclusive roles, and moments where someone says, I volunteer because I love helping others. That leadership muscle transfers beautifully into the workplace.

The operating system of inclusion: design beats intent

Good intentions won’t hire anyone. Good design will.

Supported employment works. Research shows young adults with intellectual disabilities who receive supported employment are more likely to get competitive, integrated jobs, earn higher wages, and work more hours than similar peers who don’t. We build those supports into employer partnerships so you’re not guessing. (journals.sagepub.com)

Macro reality check: Even after a series-high employment-population ratio in 2023, people with disabilities still face more than double the unemployment rate of nondisabled peers. Your systems—not their skills—are usually the bottleneck. (bls.gov)

Our approach is pragmatic: job carving, manager coaching, visual SOPs, sensory-aware workspaces, and feedback loops that actually change schedules, workflows, and culture. You wouldn’t hand a chef a butter knife to shuck an oyster; don’t hand teams “awareness” and call it a hiring plan.

The story we tell—because the data demands it

At Las Trampas, we hold two truths: the numbers are stark, and the solutions are close at hand. When participants say, I make a difference by being a good friend, they’re also modeling the culture your company needs—reliability, collaboration, and pride in work. When we say, At Las Trampas, when we lift each other up, we all shine brighter, we mean shareholders, too.

So yes, celebrate National Make a Difference Day with us. But don’t stop there. Make it your on-ramp to a year of inclusion that moves hiring metrics, strengthens community ties, and proves what we see here every day: belonging isn’t a cost center—it’s a growth strategy. And the smartest founders in the room build for it.

#MakeADifference #Volunteer #Kindness #Charity

Want to Change the World? Start by Changing How You Treat People

Posted on by Shannon Cherry

In a world that’s always moving fast, labeling quicker, and too often overlooking the obvious, maybe we’ve been looking for solutions in all the wrong places. We draft corporate DEI statements, sit through hours of training, and plaster buzzwords across campaigns yet the needle barely moves.

But what if it’s simpler than that?

What if real change—lasting, human, meaningful change—starts with something way more personal? Like how you greet your neighbor. Or how you speak to the barista. Or how you react when someone’s different from you.

Let’s get one thing straight: real inclusion isn’t a strategy. It’s a choice. A daily one. And it starts with each of us.

The Truth? We Don’t Need Another 40-Page DEI Plan

We need a compass. A simple guide. A reminder of what actually matters.
So, here it: a no-fluff, no-jargon, 3-step playbook for building a more inclusive, compassionate world. No executive approval required.

Step 1: Treat People Fairly (Not Just Equally)

Equality and fairness aren’t the same—and this is where many folks get stuck.

  • Equality says: “Everyone gets the same thing.”
  • Fairness says: “Everyone gets what they need to thrive.”

Think about it. If someone can’t access a building because there’s no ramp, giving everyone the same door doesn’t help. Real access means different supports for different people. And that’s not preferential treatment; it’s human decency.

So instead of aiming for identical, aim for intentional:

  • Ask what people need.
  • Offer accommodations without hesitation.
  • Advocate when you see unfairness.

Inclusion doesn’t mean handing out participation trophies. It means creating real opportunities for everyone to succeed—especially those society often leaves behind.

Step 2: See the Person, Not the Label

Here’s a truth bomb: a diagnosis isn’t a destiny.

We’ve gotten way too comfortable reducing people to their labels:

  • “Autistic.”
  • “Disabled.”
  • “Special needs.”
  • “Down syndrome.”

These might offer context, but they don’t define capability, value, or worth. Every person is a complex, vibrant mix of experiences, dreams, talents, and quirks. See that first.

It sounds simple, but ask yourself:
When you meet someone new, what do you really see first? Their wheelchair? Their stutter? Or their smile? Their curiosity? Their kindness?

Let’s shift from:

  • Label-first thinking → to → Human-first seeing

Because when we look past the chart, the diagnosis, or the perceived “limitation,” that’s when we make room for real connection.

Step 3: Celebrate, Don’t Just Tolerate, Differences

Here’s the thing: we’re not all the same and thank goodness for that.

If everyone thought the same, looked the same, or moved through the world the same, it’d be a pretty boring planet. Diversity isn’t a problem to be solved; it’s a strength to be leaned into.

Whether it’s race, disability, neurodivergence, gender identity, language, or background, diversity creates resilience. It expands our thinking, deepens our empathy, and makes our communities stronger.

So let’s move past passive “acceptance” and step boldly into celebration:

  • Invite different voices to the table.
  • Listen more than you talk.
  • Celebrate cultural, cognitive, and physical diversity out loud.

And no, it’s not about being “woke.” It’s about being aware, awake, and active.

What This Looks Like in Real Life: Meet Nicole Adler

If you’re wondering, “Okay, but who’s really doing this?” — meet Nicole Adler.

Nicole isn’t just talking about change. She is the change. As a motivational speaker and fierce equal rights advocate, Nicole shines a spotlight on inclusion in action. She doesn’t just preach love and acceptance; she lives it.

And here’s the mic-drop moment:
Nicole has Down syndrome. And instead of letting society limit her, she’s flipping the script.

She’s teaching audiences across the country that:

  • Love is revolutionary.
  • Kindness is power.
  • Inclusion is a verb.

This Down Syndrome Awareness Month, go beyond “awareness.” Be part of the action. Nicole will be speaking live on November 1 at 3 PM—a can’t-miss event for anyone who cares about building a better world.

Reserve your free seat now at elevateeveryvoice.com — but heads-up, space is limited.

Aces, Access & Advocacy: A Roaring ’20s Casino Night for a Cause

Posted on by Shannon Cherry

🗓 Save the Date: January 31, 2026

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What if one glamorous night could spark real change?
That’s exactly the idea behind Aces, Access & Advocacy—a dazzling 1920s-themed casino night benefiting Las Trampas.

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, we’re cranking up the jazz, rolling out the red carpet, and bringing the sparkle and sass of the Roaring ’20s back to life. Flapper dresses, fedoras, card tables, and cocktails. It’s all happening, and it’s all for something bigger than any jackpot.

Why This Night Matters

Since 1958, Las Trampas has been a powerful advocate for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping them live independently, confidently, and with dignity.

This event isn’t just a trip back in time. It’s a celebration of inclusion, a toast to empowerment, and a fundraiser that fuels the programs making it all possible.

Every hand played, every chip dropped, and every cheer at the table helps move us closer to a world where everyone has the chance to shine.

What to Expect

Step into a venue transformed into a 1920s dream, where glam meets generosity and every detail feels like a scene from The Great Gatsby. Guests can look forward to:

  • Casino-style card tables (friendly stakes, of course!)
  • Signature cocktails and indulgent bites
  • Dressed-to-impress 1920s fashion—think feathers, fringe, fedoras, and flair
  • A night that gives back—every dollar raised supports Las Trampas programs for adults with disabilities

Here’s How to Join the Fun

📆 Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026

Formal invites and ticket info are coming soon but for now, add this to your calendar and start planning your best Gatsby-era getup!

Want to go all in? We’d love to have you as a sponsor. Connect with us at fundraising@lastrampas.org to explore sponsorship options and see how your business or organization can make a lasting impact.

Leave Your Mark on a Night to Remember

Aces, Access & Advocacy isn’t just a party; it’s a statement. It’s your chance to stand for inclusion, to advocate for access, and to be part of a legacy that’s been building since 1958.

So, dust off those pearls. Shine those shoes. And get ready to party like it’s 1926—with purpose.