URGENT! Help stop the eviction of the Girouard family from the community land where they have lived and served the public for more than five decades, spanning three generations.
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*NOTE: PLEASE DIRECT ALL DONATIONS TO THE GIROUARD GOFUNDME OR JEREMIAH'S VENMO, NOT CHANGE.ORG

• Contributing to the GoFundMe or Venmo ensures the Girouard family receives funds directly. All donations made through Change.org go towards helping the petition reach more people by garnering more views, as well as keeping the platform free for the public, but do not materially reach the Girouard family.
• THANK YOU to all of those who have contributed both monetarily and with your signatures, letters to MidPen, and your support thus far.

*ATTN: Mark your calendars for the next MidPen Board Meeting

• 7pm on May 7th at the MidPen office building: 
  5050 W. El Camino Real, Los Altos

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Dear Neighbors of Rhus Ridge, Los Altos Hills, and friends of the Girouard family,

For over 50 years, the Girouard family has lived on and cared for the land at Rhus Ridge, serving as dedicated stewards and protectors of this cherished open space. Now, they are facing eviction by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, threatening not only their home but also the invaluable service they provide to our community.

A Legacy of Stewardship and Service

Since 1972, the Girouard family has been an essential part of Los Altos Hills. Originally hired by the Duveneck family—who owned Hidden Villa Ranch and its 1800 surrounding acres—Raye Girouard patrolled the land on horseback, ensuring its safety, maintaining trails, and assisting neighbors. His work deterred vandalism, arson, and misuse of the open space, and he frequently cleared downed branches from roads and trails to keep the area accessible.

Raye was also a beloved educator, sharing his knowledge with local children through summer programs at Hidden Villa. When the Duveneck family sold 18 acres to MidPen in 1987—including the sliver of land on which the Girouard-owned house trailer home sat— they did so with the understanding that the Girouards would remain as residents and caretakers.

After Raye’s passing in 2018, his wife Susan and son Jeremiah continued his work. Their presence has provided security, maintenance, and stewardship to Rhus Ridge for generations.

Why They Are Being Evicted

In 1994 the Girouards bought and installed a modular home to replace their house trailer. MidPen has always recognized that the family owns that home, but for decades they have routinely obstructed the family’s efforts to make repairs.
 
Recently, a severe winter storm caused significant damage to the Girouard family home, rendering it uninhabitable. The family is ready and willing to invest their own resources to restore it, but MidPen has refused to acknowledge their occupancy rights, without which they cannot justify investing in the repairs.  

Instead of working with the Girouards, MidPen issued an eviction notice on January 10, 2025, citing the home’s disrepair as justification for their removal. The family now faces a March 10 deadline to fight for their right to stay.

Why This Matters

If the Girouards are evicted, our community loses more than just a family—we lose the stewards who have safeguarded Rhus Ridge for over five decades. Furthermore, Raye’s young grandson, Raylen, will lose access to his special education program in the Los Altos Hills school district, which provides him with crucial one-on-one support.

This is not just about one family. This is about preserving the integrity of our community and honoring the commitments made when the Duvenecks entrusted this land to MidPen.

Media Coverage

• Caretaker family in danger of losing LAH home
   Los Altos Town Crier (February 11, 2025)
• Los Altos Hills family threatened with eviction
   Mountain View Voice (March 10, 2025)
• Recognize Girouard occupancy rights
   Los Altos Town Crier (March 11, 2025)
• Bay Area locals enraged as family faces eviction from home of 50 years
   SFGate (March 17, 2025)
• Longtime Los Altos Hills family faces eviction from home
   KGO/ABC7 News Bay Area (March 18, 2025)
• Family fighting to stay in Los Altos Hills after decades of caretaking work
   KPIX/CBS News Bay Area (March 18, 2025)
• Eviction date passes but Rhus Ridge family remains in limbo
   Los Altos Town Crier (March 18, 2025)

How You Can Help

As of March 26, 2025, the Girouard family has received a letter from the Santa Clara County Superior Court notifying them that MidPen has formally filed an eviction case against them. While they have not yet been officially served, a case number has been issued. This marks the fourth time in just three months that the Girouard family has been forced to endure the gut-wrenching fear and uncertainty of losing their home—another cruel attempt by MidPen to pressure a 73-year-old woman living on Social Security into giving up.

We cannot allow this injustice to continue! Our tax dollars, our voice—it's time to take a stand. Demand that the MidPen Board instruct their General Manager, Ana Maria Ruiz, to immediately halt this unjust and inhumane eviction.

The community has spoken loud and clear: We do not support this eviction! It’s time for the Board to acknowledge the overwhelming support for the Girouard family and do the right thing!!

To take action and show MidPen that our community stands with the Girouard family, you can:

1) ✅ Sign and share this petition to show your support. 

2) 💰Donate to the Girouard family’s GoFundMe or Jeremiah's Venmo (@Jeremiah-Girouard). Donations will go towards home restoration, legal fees, and family support to ensure Raylen can stay at his school.

• PLEASE DIRECT ALL DONATIONS TO GOFUNDME OR VENMO.
• Contributing to the GoFundMe or Venmo ensures the Girouard family receives funds directly. All donations made through Change.org go towards helping the petition reach more people by garnering more views, as well as keeping the platform free for the public, but do not materially reach the Girouard family.

3) ✉️ Send a letter to MidPen urging them to resolve this matter by granting the Girouards a long-term lease. A letter template is available for you to personalize and send:

    •  Email MidPen Board
    •  Download and mail a letter
    •  Submit your thoughts on the Board Member Contact Form

4) 📢 Let your voice be heard at the MidPen Board meeting on May 7th at 7 pm.

5) 📲 Amplify the Girouards’ GoFundMe and Change.org petition on your social media. #SaveTheGirouards #RhusRidgeCommunity

The Girouard family has given so much to our community—now it’s time for us to give back. Let’s ensure they can continue their vital role in protecting and preserving Rhus Ridge.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
The Rees and Schroeder family on behalf of our good family friends, the Girouard family