As we sit around the holiday table with family and friends, many of us will be asked what we’re thankful for. For me, I like to think about who I’m thankful for.

Las Trampas participants and roommates, Jeff and Brian, are thankful for each other, and their caregiver of over a decade, Bob. In fact, the three men of similar ages consider themselves family. Jeff and Brian have spent many holidays at Bob’s family table, which includes Bob’s sister, Kate, our Adult Day Program Supervisor.

For Bob, Las Trampas is so much more than a job. Over the years, he has taken Brian and Jeff on four overnight trips to Santa Cruz. Brian likes the bumper cars, and Jeff loves the rollercoasters! Jeff and Brian lament being unable to travel since COVID started, but Bob is planning another trip soon.

It won’t be as easy as previous trips. Now that Jeff is in a wheelchair, he will need extra assistance, but Bob says that he and his team are up to the task!

Bob shared that his Las Trampas teammates have really stepped up and adapted to all of the changes with Jeff’s limited mobility. “We have an amazing team,” he said, “all the staff members truly care about both of them.” Bob believes that part of the reason their staff team is so strong, is because of communication. Between shifts, staff talks frequently about Brian and Jeff’s changing needs, likes and dislikes, and routines.

Brian doesn’t share a lot, and Jeffrey often helps others understand Brian. But when asked how he feels about Bob, Brian clearly said, “he’s my best friend.” Jeff quickly added that all three of them are best friends. Bob then clarified, “we’re brothers.”

We at Las Trampas are so thankful for our dedicated staff, like Bob, and everyone on Jeff and Brian’s team. However, low government reimbursement rates make it difficult to offer competitive wages that attract people with Bob’s passion and dedication. Because of the generosity of people like you, we have been able to modestly increase caregiver salaries and offer new starting wages to incoming applicants. It’s starting to make a difference, but we need your help to continue to attract top notch staff, like Bob. Each staff hire allows us to decrease our extensive participant waitlist, which includes Brian for our Day Program. In order to provide our gold-standard services for more of our friends and neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we have set an ambitious goal to raise $135,000 this holiday season.

Your support for Las Trampas creates opportunities for companionship and life-long friendships like the one Jeff, Brian, and Bob share. You can help Las Trampas support our friends and neighbors with disabilities by making—and doubling!—your gift today. A group of generous early contributors, including Karen and Tom Mulvaney and Eric Rudney, will match every gift received until December 31^st, up to $30,000.

We depend on your support to go the extra mile to ensure that Jeff and Brian receive the increased services they need to lead self-directed lives as they age.

Will you make a gift to Las Trampas that is significant to you today? Your contribution will be doubled and will make possible the increased services our participants need to stay connected, engaged, and healthy during this turbulent time. As always, thank you for your support.

Click HERE to donate to our Holiday Appeal today!

Wishing you a holiday season surrounded by those you’re thankful for,