Our Stories
2023 Spring Appeal – Melissa’s Story
Sep 6, 2023
When Melissa gets on the bus to go to Las Trampas' Day Program, she feels "joyful." It's a long ride from her group home in Concord, but "it's worth it." As many of us enjoy loosened COVID restrictions, reopenings, and parties, our participants are equally grateful to go back to the new normal, and I ...
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Exploring Worlds with Las Trampas
Aug 30, 2018
The day program is always looking for new worlds to explore. We regularly use local libraries to seek out new sites and organizations we can partner with to help our program participants become more and more engaged in and with their community. Our memberships at the Lawrence Hall of Science, Chabot Space and Science Center, ...
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SLS Chilling with the Fish in Monterey
Aug 22, 2018
Rebecca watched the big shark swim past the thick glass of the tank. "Whoa!" she said, laughing. Each time the shark circled by, Rebecca reacted with the same joyful "Whoa!" Rebecca visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium for the first time on a recent trip organized by the Supported Living team for program participants. The visit ...
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Las Trampas Cooks: Ingredients for Success!
Jul 25, 2018
What could be better than sharing a home-cooked meal, chosen and prepared with care by a friend or colleague? Each month, the 10 students participating in the Day Program "Las Trampas Cooks" program choose a meal based on a theme, and work with staff throughout the month to make that meal a reality for each ...
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SLS/ILS–Celebrating Independence
Jul 18, 2018
Do you remember moving out of your parent's home for the first time? So many mixed emotions-- a little apprehensive and scared, but excited and overwhelmed with joy when all your belongings were in place. When she moved out of her parents' house at the age of 33, Ariel felt the same way. In July ...
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From the Executive Director–A Year in Advocacy
Jul 17, 2018
My name is Daniel Hogue, Executive Director of Las Trampas. I have worked in the Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD) service industry since 1993, starting as a direct care worker. Now, in my role as a leader, I am constantly asked about the state and future of our field. Now, more than ever, this is ...
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Terri’s Story
Dec 21, 2017
"Shopping!" is one of Terri's favorite words and one of her favorite pastimes. Since coming to Sheila House last February, she gets to do a lot more of it! For 25 years, Terri lived at Sonoma Developmental Center. She had tried community-based residential programs in the past, but the impacts of Terri's disabilities meant that ...
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Johnathan’s Story
Nov 29, 2016
Johnathan is a total care client who has used a wheelchair for his entire life. He is nonverbal, has poor vision, and needs assistance to change clothes and a tube to be fed. It has always been assumed that he is unable to comprehend or communicate. That is, until Speech Language Therapist Pam Chapman devised ...
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Confessions of an ILS Client
Nov 1, 2016
I am a young guy who lives in the East Bay. During most of my adult life I have faced the challenges of noise sensitivity and social anxiety. According to a doctor in San Ramon, the root of some of my problems is largely a vertebral disc in my neck that pinches a nerve to ...
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The Amazing Adventures of Amy and Jeff
Sep 27, 2016
Las Trampas client Jeff and his sister Amy overcame their obstacles to enjoy the summer trip of a lifetime together. Any recounts their trip and reveals how she makes every minute count for both her and her brother. Just this past summer, my brother Jeff and I went on a couple of great trips. Jeff ...
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Independence and the Special Needs Child
Jun 30, 2016
As my son grows older (he'll be 12 in March) we are grappling more and more with the challenge of developing his independence. For most 11 year old kids, catching the bus home from school, walking around the corner to a friend's house and having sleepovers are no big deal. They are age appropriate activities ...
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National Charity League
May 24, 2016
For over 10 years, the National Charity League has volunteered with Las Trampas, and this year was no exception. Mothers and daughters rose to the occasion one week before the annual What's in Our Hat? fundraising event this year to help assemble the tropical decor that seasoned our day with that Caribbean flavor. These mother-daughter ...
Read MoreLafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church
Mar 11, 2016
Las Trampas is so appreciative of the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church and the wonderful volunteer work they do for so many Contra Costa nonprofits. This is the third year in a row that they have chosen to help us with volunteer work. A large group worked on campus to help organize the Development Department's storage areas, ...
Read MoreLeslie’s Story
Feb 1, 2016
Leslie is a huge Warriors fan, which he demonstrates almost daily. He can draw from a closet full of the team's logo clothing. In cold weather, it's the blue and gold knit cap, in summer a t-shirt, among other items. Of course, as an avid sports fan, he must alternate with his 49er jacket and ...
Read MorePatty’s Story
Jan 27, 2016
Patty came to Las Trampas in 1975 and has been a source of sunshine ever since. Patty is always smiling. "I hear birds!" exclaimed Patty, as she tested her long-awaited hearing aids. Patty is very social, loves connecting with people, chatting and sharing stories. Now she can do this again! The ability to return significantly to ...
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Wells Fargo
Sep 25, 2015
A fantastic team of Wells Fargo volunteers swooped into Stinson House, one of our 5 residential homes, on September 17th, to create a whole new look for the interior. Grabbing brushes and rollers, they painted the public rooms a stunning combination of cocoa brown and taupe. Instant facelift! Our group homes provide round-the-clock services and ...
Read MoreParticipant Art Greeting Cards
