LAFAYETTE — The campus at Las Trampas bustled as it usually does on the typical weekday, with dozens of intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals engaging with programs designed to stimulate and assist their independent living.
This day, though, was busier than most.
State Sen. Tim Grayson (D-CA9) would be visiting them, touring the grounds and meeting with some of the members, who Las Trampas empowers to advocate for themselves.
The nonprofit, founded in 1938, currently serves 86 individuals ranging from 22 to 72 years old who live with moderate to profound cases of Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism. It has the capacity to help up to 120 people, but because of staffing shortages, a waiting list runs more than 50 deep with an average admittance time of two to three years.
Recently, an even more dire issue has arisen: Around 35-45% of Las Trampas members are recipients of Medicaid, and through a waiver program, those funds amount to $3.5 million of the organization’s $10 million annual budget. That funding could be lost as the federal government implements its “One Big Beautiful Bill,” as it’s called by supporters, and makes planned cuts of nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid nationwide.
“To get the senator here to see the critical work that we do on a regular basis is very important,” said Daniel Hogue, who has run the organization for the past 14 years. “It gives them a personal perspective of what their investments are and that removing any of those investments could really be damaging for people like Ariel, who’s now been living on her own for a very long time.”
One of three self-advocates who helped prepare for and sat in on the meeting, 40-year-old Ariel Bellet lived with her parents until 2018, when she enrolled with Las Trampas. At first, she said she felt “nervous,” but now? “I love it.”
A proud paycheck earner and owner of a 9-year-old Maltese Chihuahua, Ariel benefits from Las Trampas’ supportive living services, which allow her to live on her own in the community.
“All of that could get taken away very quickly if things come to pass,” Hogue said.
That was the topic at hand during an hour-long meeting with the state senator, who Hogue said has been a “very proactive” ally in Sacramento. Grayson lends not only a sympathetic ear but an empathetic one. His older sister, Shari, lives with an intellectual disability, “and I want to make sure those benefits don’t go away,” he said. “I want to make sure that Shari can age with dignity and be her own person and be very well accepted in the community she lives in.”
And that, in turn, is the mission of Las Trampas.
Grayson was able to witness it firsthand, making stops in classrooms where program participants showed off their artwork, took a break from learning about indigenous music and prepared snacks in the recently renovated kitchen, where all the counters are at wheelchair height. At other times, there are life skills classes and outings into the community.
Arie and Tevin Whack, who also participated in the meeting and helped guide the tour, are part of Las Trampas’ Vocational and Occupational Advocacy class. On other days, they can be found marching with signs on Mt. Diablo Boulevard, or even advocating for disability rights and inclusion in meetings with legislative aides at the Capitol.
Tevin, an outgoing performer who dreams of being on Broadway, said he got involved “to stick up for my rights.” He takes BART all the way from his parents’ house in Pittsburg “because I love it here … I’m here almost every day.”
Grayson understands the power of self-advocacy. When he sought Special Olympics funding in the state budget, he went into three meetings seeking $2 million. He walked away with $6 million after Shari delivered prepared remarks from her perspective.
“I am so overwhelmed at so much that is being done here at Las Trampas,” Grayson said. “So much that is being done for the individual that they can rise up with self-dignity and rise up and be the beautiful person that they’ve always been and be accepted.”
ABOUT SHARE THE SPIRITShare the Spirit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operated by the East Bay Times/Bay Area News Group. Since 1989, Share the Spirit has been producing series of stories during the holiday season that highlight the wishes of those in need and invite readers to help fulfill them.
HOW TO HELPDonations to Las Trampas will cover salaries, onboarding and training for increased staffing at the nonprofit, enabling 20 more adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to come off the waitlist and access inclusive day services, personalized living support and skill-building opportunities. Goal: $10,000
HOW TO GIVEDonate at sharethespiriteastbay.org/donate or by mail using this form. Donations are tax deductible.
ONLINE EXTRARead other Share the Spirit stories, view photos and video at sharethespiriteastbay.org.