October 2021 Developmental Disabilities and Special Needs Subcommittee Report

About 100 visitors came out to Homestead Day on Saturday, Oct. 23 at the historic Lujan cabin to enjoy history, games, crafts and a fair exhibition. Visitors got to sample Rose Chocolatier’s delicious orange spice cookies which placed second in the sweet category of Rose Chocolatier’s fall menu competition. Lemonade Living, Los Alamos Historical Society, The Gifted Horse and Rose Chocolatier partnered to put on the event which was sponsored by Family Strengths Network and Con Alma.
    Lemonade Living intends to resume DD&SN Roundtable meetings on the third Friday of the month, the next one Nov. 19.
    Wednesday After-School Camp at The Gifted Horse has been well received. We will be reaching out for additional volunteers and riding and education instructors for The Gifted Horse and Homestead Ranch School to meet community interest for this program. Our November session ends Nov. 17.
    Rose Chocolatier’s Sweets & Treats Menu Competition was a huge hit with customers. Staff, employees and trainees entered their best personal recipes and the top two winners in each category have been added to the fall menu. Customer votes chose the following winners:
1.     Pumpkin Roll, 1st place sweet category (new menu item)
2.     Pumpkin Muffin, 1st place savory category (new menu item)
3.     Pumpkin Sage Ravioli, 2nd place savory category (new menu item)
4.     Trail Mix, 3rd place savory category
5.     Orange Spice Cookies, 2nd place sweet category (new menu item)
6.     Chocolate Nut Pie, 3rd place sweet category
      A Rose Chocolatier trainee is taking a College of Employment Services class through UNM’s Center for Development and Disability toward earning an Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) certificate and becoming a job coach. Three additional personnel from Lemonade Living are also taking the class which is sponsored by Partners for Employment, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Developmental Disabilities Supports Division. The training is the result of a joint effort to strengthen the capacity of service providers in our state as well as to increase the number of Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) credential and ACRE certificate holders in New Mexico.
      Rose Chocolatier is handing out candy for Trick or Treat Mainstreet Friday, Oct. 29.
      Lemonade Living will be opening the Lujan cabin for tours, hot cider, hot cocoa and treats as part of Los Alamos Stable Owners Association (LASOA) Dec. 12 Luminaria Walk.

​

August 2021 Developmental Disabilities and Special Needs Subcommittee Report

Lemonade Living, representing DD&SN Roundtable, placed third in the Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo Parade held Saturday, Aug.14. Sunday morning Stroll the Stables was a great success with over 263 participants. 

Kristen Tobias, founder of The Gifted Horse has moved to a director position at RISE Services, Inc. in Arizona. We are excited to announce that The Gifted Horse programming will be continued by Lemonade Living. 

The Gifted Horse is offering Wednesday After-School Camps September 8 through 29 and October 6 through 27. Twelve individuals will be served at each camp. Individuals and organizations interested in the camps can find out more about them on Lemonadeliving.org in The Latest news on our home page.

Rose Chocolatier is moving into its fall schedule with a new programming structure and LAHS school students returning for training. Rose Chocolatier is running a contest for volunteers, employees and students to submit fall menu recipes that will be voted on by the public. 

We are pleased to share that two individuals with developmental disabilities who have been training in the shop to become job coaches are continuing their training this fall. One of them has already been hired by Los Alamos Public Schools. Lemonade Living hopes to train more individuals for jobs within our local business district as well as in the school district. With current local needs and a recommendation by one of our favorite advisors, Lemonade Living hopes to extend this base and establish relationships with local restaurant owners to customize training that will support filling their workforce gaps with qualified individuals with developmental disabilities. 

Lemonade Living is looking for volunteers for Sheriff’s Posse Breakfasts beginning again on Sunday, Sept. 5. Sign ups for this and many other volunteer opportunities with Lemonade Living, Rose Chocolatier and Gifted Horse, are posted on Lemonadeliving.org. Become a site member on the Get Involved page then click your preferred button on the Volunteer page. Thank you! We hope to see you there!

​

July 2021 Developmental Disabilities and Special Needs Subcommittee Report

We have finished all five sessions of 3-day Ranch Camps at The Gifted Horse serving approximately 40 campers with horse camp in the mornings and goat camp in the afternoons. Campers learned homesteading and ranch schooling history, horse and goat care and goat showmanship. They enjoyed daily horseback riding and arts and crafts.

 

On August 6 Rose Chocolatier will begin vending at Friday Night Concerts.

 

All Individuals First, a habilitative day program for adults with developmental disabilities, returned to providing in-person services July 19 to their clients’ great excitement. Doris continued offering online services throughout COVID restrictions, but everyone is very happy to get back to their facility and regular schedule.

 

We are finalizing programming plans for the Fall which includes many volunteer opportunities so we are updating our website for easy signup. Programming will include activities and special events with our roundtable partners: The Gifted Horse, Homestead Ranch School, Family Strengths Network. We will have a Roundtable calendar for these events and links to partners’ calendars on Lemonadeliving.org.

 

We will have a strong presence at August 15 Stroll the Stables, part of Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo events. We will be hosting a welcome station at the Lujan Homesteading Cabin, a stable stop at The Gifted Horse and various other locations, and will also be participating in the rodeo parade.

 

Lemonade Living and The Sheriff’s Posse are partnering to put on First Sunday pancake breakfast fundraisers for local nonprofits. We will be looking for nine volunteers to help with breakfasts.