Tim – A Place We All Love
May 11, 2022
As spring winds down and we begin to anticipate summertime in the Sunflower Hill Garden, I’m always a little sad knowing that I’ll have to say goodbye to my adult-in-transition program participants, teachers, and staff for the summer. We’re grateful for the time and energy they invest in our Garden Program. This month, we’re honored […]
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Louise – Making An Impact In The Community
April 27, 2022
April is volunteer appreciation month, and here at Sunflower Hill we are inspired by the efforts of our dedicated volunteers. One such volunteer, and the focus of this month’s Volunteer Spotlight article, is Louise Hail. Louise began volunteering for Sunflower Hill in 2021 when she and her daughter were looking for a way to spend […]
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Mikey – Cultivating Community and Purpose
March 16, 2022
As the Garden and Programs Instructor for Sunflower Hill, I’ve been privileged to meet some extraordinary people. One such individual is Mikey, our Garden Program Participant Spotlight for March! Mikey exudes joy through his smile and excited exclamations. He’s kind-natured, sociable, has a contagious smile, and charming personality. Upon arriving to the Sunflower Hill Garden, […]
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Kyle – Being Treated Like Everyone Else
February 23, 2022
As the Residential Programs Manager at Irby Ranch, I’m fortunate enough to meet some really wonderful people. One such person is Kyle, this month’s Irby Ranch Resident Spotlight! Kyle has been living at Irby Ranch since February 2021. When I first met him, I was struck by his bold personality, polite nature, and active listening […]
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Kat – A Partner in the Garden
February 2, 2022
As the owner of a local landscape design company specializing in California native plants, Kat Weiss is a self-proclaimed “gardening freak.” She says her path to becoming a donor and volunteer for Sunflower Hill was serendipitous. A native to Livermore, Kat had a keen interest in Hagemann Ranch back when Mr. Hagemann was growing thousands […]
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Shadow – More Than a Garden Cat
January 26, 2022
People often comment to us that the Sunflower Hill Garden, located on Hagemann Ranch in Livermore California, is a beautiful and magical place. For Sunflower Hill, the Garden is a vital space we utilize for educational, therapeutic, and life skills training programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As stewards of such a special […]
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Jennifer – Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover
December 21, 2021
One of the reasons I love being the Residential Programs Manager at Irby Ranch in Pleasanton, CA is getting to know all of the unique residents. Jennifer, who is this month’s Irby Ranch Resident Spotlight, is a great example. Jennifer lives at Irby Ranch with her young daughter and partner. She is a great advocate […]
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Plan Your Future Garden Now
November 10, 2021
With the cooler weather and winter just around the corner, now is the ideal time to plan your spring garden! Yes, even though your at-home garden might be “sleeping” right now, there’s no reason you can’t start planning and preparing your garden to “wake up” in the spring. This blog article will guide you through […]
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David – Designing His Own Independent Living Model
October 27, 2021
One of the reasons I love working as the Residential Programs Manager at Irby Ranch in Pleasanton, CA is the diversity in independent-living models among the residents in the community. With each resident bringing their own unique set of support services, Irby Ranch is an example of the uniqueness in what successful independent living can […]
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Toxic Positivity
October 13, 2021
Can positivity be toxic? What does that even mean? I recently learned in my Master’s Program that positivity can sometimes be toxic! I was surprised to learn that there is such a thing as Toxic Positivity. Believing that people should put a positive spin on all of their emotions and experiences, even when those emotions […]
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