The Little Red Hen locations in Chico are more than just a Plant Nursery, Kitchen Store and Gift Shop.  Every purchase made at this non-profit organization goes to benefitting children and adults in the community living with developmental disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome and others.

Executive Director Teresa Wolk Hayes has made the Little Red Hen her life’s work.  It all started about 20 years ago when Hayes’ son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three.  “All of a sudden my focus was on him and helping him heal,” Hayes recalled.

At the time, there were little to no resources in the community for autistic children, so she started a small group with some other parents.  “We now know that behavioral intervention is the only thing that really works for autism,” Hayes explained, thinking back on the humble beginnings of her program.  “But back then not a lot was known.” 

Early on Hayes hosted a swim program at her home, where children with developmental disabilities had one-on-one swimming instruction and their parents could provide support.  The swim program garnered attention from larger groups in the state.  Representatives from Far Northern Regional Center had heard about Hayes’ swim program and came by for a visit.  They were so impressed that they gave support and funding, and the program lasted for 15 years.

With a natural talent for nurturing and helping things grow, Hayes also began using plants for therapy and started selling them around town.  “We had a whole bunch of plants,” she laughed.  “They were all over the place.”  Hayes credits the plants for giving her the idea to name The Little Red Hen after a folk tale about farming, hard work, and community.  Hayes thought of this story while digging holes for the plants.  She realized she was doing the work alone, when it would be better to have the involvement of families to truly benefit children with disabilities. 

The Little Red Hen program soon branched out and grew successfully.  A plant nursery was founded ten years ago, and since then The Little Red Hen has sprouted a gift shop and a kitchen store.  The programs for disabled children and adults now reach into the Chico Unified School District, and a college scholarship is provided.  Funding from The Little Red Hen stores, donations, and the Far Northern Regional Center goes to numerous programs and opportunities designed to help disabled children transition into adulthood.  “It takes a village,” Hayes said about raising a child with autism.  “And it took everybody involved to do all this: teachers, kids, and parents.”

“Everything about The Little Red Hen is about quality,” Hayes said.  The company has won best plant nursery five years in a row, best gift shop, and received state recognition.  The three shops employ about 100 workers, 60 of whom have developmental disabilities.  The Little Red Hen creates a positive work environment by recognizing the employees’ abilities and instilling a sense of self-worth.  “We don’t pay below minimum wage,” Hayes emphasized.  “You can’t teach self esteem by paying less than another human being.” 

Hayes shared the story of when one employee was first hired.  They had special computer equipment set up for the woman, as she had three fingers.  After a while, the new employee asked to see her paycheck.  “She kept wanting to see her paycheck over and over again,” Hayes recalled.  “I wondered why.  Then I realized that she used to only get less than 25 cents an hour [at a previous job].  She wanted to look at the paycheck again because she was amazed at the wages.”  Now the very same employee regularly does computer work for The Little Red Hen.  “She does everything, and she does a great job,” Hayes said with a smile.

Teresa Hayes recognizes how essential it is for disabled children and adults to have a safe haven.  She remembers moments when her son might bump into a stranger as a child.  “Out in the big environment people who yell and complain are the first to say something.  But for someone with autism, The Little Red Hen gives them the chance to say ‘Come into our environment.’  And that’s an environment of quality.”

Hayes’ son and inspiration, Alex, is proof that a parent’s dedication works.  “I was a monster,” Alex said with a huge smile as Teresa shared stories of his childhood.  Now at 21-years-old he studies business at Chico State University and has big plans for the future.

The Little Red Hen is currently hosting community programs for the holidays.  There are also plans to open an interactive park and garden in the spring.  For more information about the Little Red Hen and store locations visit their Web site www.littleredhen.info.