Generations Day Care is issuing a public call for support to sustain and expand its services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the wider San Diego County. Based in Ramona, California, Generations Day Care has grown from a single-day program into a small ecosystem of support that includes a unique nonprofit thrift store called Archie's Pantry, where everything on the shelves is free.
"We have built something that truly serves people who need it, but we cannot keep doing it alone. A little support goes a long way here in Ramona, and every donation directly impacts a real person's life," says founder Marcie Laws-Hayes, a trained social worker and longtime Ramona resident.
Generations Day Care provides structured day programs for adults aged 18 and older who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Clients attend three different program sites focused on care, job and life skills, communication, personal safety, and community involvement. The campuses include gardens, animals such as goats and tortoises, and spaces for fitness and creative activities. Generations also provides door-to-door transportation, a service that became essential after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Archie's Pantry began as an improvised solution during the pandemic. When students lacked school supplies for remote learning, Laws-Hayes started handing out bags of essentials from the trunk of her car. That small gesture grew into a full thrift store located on the Generations campus. Everything in Archie's Pantry is free, and all donations must follow a donate with dignity standard. Families, teachers, and social workers frequently visit or request items such as clothing, shoes, toiletries, household goods, and school supplies. Mini Archie's Pantry, referred to as care closets in local schools, allows staff to meet immediate needs for students on the spot.
"One of the most important things we do is meet people exactly where they are," Laws-Hayes says. "If a child needs shoes or a warm jacket, we can get it for them the same day to meet their immediate need. It is simple, but it changes lives."
Adults who attend Generations Day Care can volunteer or work at the pantry, gaining a meaningful job experience in stocking, sorting, customer service, and organization. Several individuals with disabilities are now paid employees. High school students in special education programs also earn work experience on-site. The thrift store has become a practical job training environment and a source of independence for many who may otherwise struggle to find employment opportunities in Ramona.
The store's name carries a deeply personal meaning. It is named after Laws-Hayes' youngest son, Archer, nicknamed Archie. Whenever she asked why he did something, he would say, "Because I can and I wanted to." That simple phrase inspired her to open a program that serves the community because she could and because she wanted to.
Generations Day Care currently covers nearly all operational costs for Archie's Pantry, including rent, insurance, payroll, and utilities. To remain sustainable and meet the growing demand for essential goods in Ramona, additional support is needed. In-kind donations such as toiletries, socks, shelf-stable foods, and new or gently used clothing can significantly reduce overhead. Financial contributions can help cover operating expenses so the pantry can remain fully free and accessible.
Laws-Hayes also hopes to replicate the Archie's Pantry model throughout the San Diego area. "There are so many communities that could benefit from this," she says. "Free resources, real work opportunities for adults with disabilities, and immediate support for kids in need should exist everywhere, not just here."
For corporations, community organizations, and individuals looking to support meaningful, tangible work, Generations Day Care and Archie's Pantry offer an opportunity to make a direct impact. These programs keep usable goods out of landfills, provide employment and training for adults with disabilities, and ensure no student goes without essentials. With the help of new partners, Generations Day Care hopes to expand its reach and continue building a stronger, more supported Ramona community.
