Little Red Hen Nursery Inc

Target demographics: children and adults with developmental disabilities

Geographic areas served: Northern California

Programs: Our six retail locations provide employment and job training for adults with developmental disabilities. We do not pay below minimum wage because we believe that it helps develop better self-esteem and is crucial in fighting poverty in the developmentally disabled community. ALL PEOPLE NEED TO ENJOY THEIR CHOSEN OCCUPATIONS and be allowed to make significant contributions to their communities. Our Community-Supported Employment emphasizes service, learning, and choice as the directing force behind each employee’s Individual Service Plan (ISP). Informed choices in employment are based upon individual needs, desires, circumstances, and opportunities.

Our Lifespan programs, for children ages 4 -17, encourage participants to develop healthy social and community skills with the guidance of trained and caring instructors, in a safe and clean environment. We provide lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families, to be fully included and participating members of their communities through public awareness, education, and research related to autism. Our programs include: Meet & Greet, Sprout, Growing Together Teens, F.L.O.C.K., Not Your Garden Variety Theatre.

ADULT PROGRAMS:

RETAIL We have six retail locations which provide job training in customer service, cash handling, organizational, and leadership skills. Staff works closely together to create an inviting, friendly atmosphere in store. While also making beautiful displays for store windows, in store, and seasonal products. With six locations we are sure you will find something you love! Kitchen store has all of your kitchen essentials as well as children’s toys and kitchen gear. At Floral you have the opportunity to get creative and make beautiful flower arrangements. The Home store carries our high end home décor and with its downtown location you get to work in the hustle and bustle of our community. Vintage offers our staff the excitement of restoring vintage furniture and getting hands on with all the unique finds our staff travels all over the country to discover. The Vintage team also manages our Etsy store! The Gift store is the hub of all our online shopping. Here you will learn skills in packaging, processing, gift wrapping, and mailing. Lastly, we have our Nursery, were this whole dream started. At the plant Nursery you get the opportunity to work outside in our wonderful California weather. This location is perfect for anyone who loves all varieties of plants, from succulents, to fruit trees. Learn about plant care, plant classification, soil, and fertilizers.

ONLINE & PROMO The Little Red Hen Online Department designs in-house all the print and digital promotional material, as well as maintaining the website and online store. This team also heads up our social media integration, using platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest to spread information and awareness to help Little Red Hen grow. We learn photography, marketing, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and many graphic design principles. The Online Department is a great place for those who love technology and are passionate about learning new and exciting skills to help improve and grow our presence both online and in the community.

PARK & GARDEN Our two-plus acre park and garden is currently under construction, and becoming more beautiful each day! Staff work with instructors on maintaining a greenhouse, organic garden, organic chicken coop, and creating sculptures around the garden. All vegetables grown in our organic gardens are distributed to staff to encourage healthy eating habits. Once the park is finished it will be filled with public learning activities for individuals of all abilities and ages.

TOOLS & TRADE The Little Red Hen Tools & Trade program supports our many retail programs with hand made and refurbished products. Our staff learn many hands on skills, from cutting and gluing tiles for mosaics to sanding and painting furniture. Using superior craftsmanship skills, we create treasures for other Little Red Hen locations. Handcrafting can be an exceptional tool in making the old look as good as new and giving our staff the satisfaction of creating great products with their hands. Mosaics are used for Little Red Hen’s Park and Garden and refurbished furniture is used for Vintage Hen, Kitchen Store, Gift Shop, and Floral & More. We also have a tree yard where we grow trees for the Plant Nursery. Tools & Trade is a great program for those who like to work with their hands and want to learn a valuable trade.

CHILDRENS PROGRAMS:

LIL” SPROUTS Ages: 4 - 7 yrs An early intervention program for children with autism. LiL' Sprouts provides one-on-one support to help develop play skills, sensory needs, socialization, behavioral, and communication skills. Early intervention is one of the most effective treatments for autism. Together, parents and caregivers can help your child prepare for a successful and independent life.

BUDDIN' SPROUTS Ages: 8 - 12 yrs For children with autism and other socially related disabilities. This program is a progression of Lil' Sprouts and serves children one-on-one to develop more advanced sensory, behavioral, social, and communication skills. Children are encouraged to make social requests and decisions, such as what game to play and what snack they want.

GROWING TOGETHER TEENS Ages: 13 - 17 yrs GTT is a socialization program for teens with autism and other developmental disabilities. Designed to build friendships between participants and provide activities conducive to social behavior, cognitive, and emotional growth. Promotes individuals' self-esteem and teaches them to become self-advocates. Employment experience is supported.

F.L.O.C.K Level l: 6 - 10 yrs Level ll: 11 - 15 yrs A two-week Summer socialization therapy program held at Chico State University. The goal is to help children and teens with Autism find social success. Feeling Like One Common Kid offers a structured and supportive environment where participants talk freely without feeling any discrimination, and make potentially lifelong friends.

NOT YOUR GARDEN VARIETY THEATER Ages: 4 - 17 yrs 6-Week Summer Program N.Y.G.V.T meets three days a week for six weeks, teaching children and adolescents skills and communication techniques necessary to function optimally in play and integrated social settings. This is achieved through role-playing, performing art, music, theater activities, sensory exploration, and peer collaboration. Participants will be part of the final production.