Dan De Vaul, Program Founder
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Hi, my name is Dan De Vaul. Sunny Acres is my creation, and it is my life. Here is my background, and how I became involved in what has become my life's work:
I founded Sunny Acres, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation in November 2001 on my 72 acre ranch in San Luis Obispo. I live on the ranch and actively participate in the day-to-day operations of Sunny Acres. I was born in San Luis Obispo and lived in the area, with my family, through high school and one year of college at Cal Poly, in San Luis Obispo. I grew up in this 100 year old farmhouse on the ranch. My father and his brother farmed various properties in San Luis Obispo, including the ranch that is now the location of Sunny Acres. I moved to Phoenix in 1966, I worked several jobs and developed my skills in various trades. I sought and lived a “fast life”… a life destined to encounter life-altering challenges of my own making. In 1970, I was involved in an off-road accident and suffered a broken neck. For approximately eight months, diagnosed as a quadriplegic, I lived in a circle bed, loaded up with pain killers just to survive. I eventually recovered some mobility after an extensive re-build of my spine at Barrows Neurological in Phoenix, Arizona; where ambulation was possible, with the lingering effects of partial right side paralysis. I could walk but dragged my right leg. My hands were unreliable and weak with paralysis. As a result of my injuries, I became addicted to painkillers. I kicked them, then I became addicted to alcohol. Then I kicked alcohol. I have been clean and sober for over 35 years. I have lived 20 years now, without cigarettes. I really enjoy working with my hands even though they are not as strong as they once were. I appreciate having others assist me with projects that require more than one person and I enjoy teaching them all the ranch-learned vocational techniques taught me by my dad and uncle as I grew up. I continued my father’s tradition of providing work and a place to live for people in Phoenix. I built Section 8 housing in there, teaching unskilled, out-of-work people from the street, how to build. At Sunny Acres, I teach homeless addicts in this same way. Many return to the outside workforce, clean and sober and able to earn a living with their newfound skills. I am totally dedicated to Sunny Acres, and to making it the most successful clean and sober facility in the area. Our concept works. Let those of us at Sunny Acres prove it to you. |
Sunny Acres 501(c)3 nonprofit • 10660 Los Osos Valley Road
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 • info@sunnyacres.community • 805-543-4918
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 • info@sunnyacres.community • 805-543-4918