Lincoln Center Honors

Tania Pacheco was born premature and with cerebral palsy. Pacheco was an energetic baby, her mother, Teresa Gomez says. She even started physical therapy at the age of three.

But at the age of four, Pacheco’s health compelled her parents to leave their hometown and seek better medical care elsewhere. “I wanted more opportunities for her and a better life,” Gomez said.

Time passed, and Pacheco soon graduated from Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. Her teachers tried persuading her to return and help other students. Pacheco said no.

“I was looking for different opportunities,” she said.

This led her to Lincoln Training Center (LTC), a not-for-profit that provides work and job training for nearly 500 people with developmental disabilities. Now, Pacheco is being recognized as one of LTC’s clients of the year at the 28th Annual Affair of the Heart, Lincoln Center Honors presented by National Certified Insurance.

On April 14, 2012 at 6 p.m., LTC clients Pacheco, Taylor Rampick and Meredith Blake, along with corporate partners: Westfield, Solomon Chen – Superior Communications and the law firm Neufeld, Marks & Gralnek - will be honored at the annual gala located at the Pacific Palms Resort and Conference Center in the City of Industry. Approximately 350 corporate and civic officials, community leaders, friends, and supporters will attend. Also present will be Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.).

The event will be filled with dinner, dancing, entertainment, and a live/silent auction.

Auction items include a fabulous two-night stay at the Omni Berkshire Place Hotel in mid-town Manhattan, with two orchestra seat tickets to the New York Philharmonic; two VIP tickets to the 14th season of “Dancing with the Stars”, stars include Gladys Knight, Melissa Gilbert, and Jack Wagner; and a third generation iPad, the new Retina display makes everything crisper and clearer and its new five megapixel camera can record high definition video . All proceeds from the event will used to support LTC programs. A silent auction list is available here.

The Center began its work in 1964 as small group of parents teaching their children simple production work. In 2010, LTC was honored as nonprofit of the year by Chu for its work helping adults with disabilities find meaningful work.

For more information regarding Lincoln Center Honors, please call Noreen Baca at (626) 636-2557.