Celebrating 33 Years of Giving: LCA Brings Thanksgiving Joy to Thousands of Seniors in Need
This year’s Thanksgiving Day holds special significance for the Latino Center on Aging (LCA), marking 33 years of serving traditional Thanksgiving meals to seniors who find themselves without family in our communities.
For LCA, this initiative has become one of its most treasured, long-standing projects. “The greatest joy comes from transforming what is often a lonely, somber day into one filled with warmth, color, and happiness for many isolated elderly individuals across New York and the eastern seaboard,” said Mario Tapia, President and CEO of LCA. “Over the years, we’ve witnessed the inspiring rise of other community groups and organizations celebrating Thanksgiving for seniors and those less fortunate. Seeing this movement grow has been especially rewarding.”
Happy Thanksgiving!
Since 1992, thanks to the generous support of corporate sponsors and dedicated community volunteers, LCA has proudly provided over fifty thousand seniors with a hot meal on Thanksgiving Day. This year, we hosted celebrations at six locations on November 28th, with community centers in both New York and New Jersey welcoming elderly participants for a day of connection and care.
If you would like to support LCA and help continue these vital programs, we encourage you to make a tax-deductible donation today by clicking the ‘Donate’ button below. You can contribute via PayPal or with any major credit card. Your generosity can make all the difference—please donate now. Thank you for your support!
For listing of Community Centers
The 2023 Thanksgiving Day Meal for the Elderly was held thanks to:
Consolidated Edison
And the support of the following generous individuals: Carmenza Millán, Dr. José Herrera.
NYC 2023 Golden Age Award recipients: Mike Bolton, Solange Paizante, Dr. José Goris and Hiram Colón, joined by Adriene Rosell, Gala Chairwoman and Mario Tapia, LCA’s President & CEO.
Another Splendid LCA's Golden Age Awards Gala
NEW YORK – June 22, 2023 – The Latino Center on Aging celebrated its 35th Golden Age Awards presentation on June 14th. The highly successful LCA’s Annual Banquet took place at Villa Barone Manor in Bronx, New York. This year, the following individuals were honored: Hon. Ruben Díaz, Jr., V. P. of Strategic Initiatives, Montefiore Health System, Public Service Golden Age Award; SOMOS Community Care, Community Leadership Golden Age Award; Mike Bolton, General Manager, Cintas and Seton’s Board Member, Corporate Golden Age Award; FOX 5 News, News Department, Community Service Golden Age Award; Solange Paisante, Director, Mantena Social Services, Newark, NJ, Community Service Golden Age Award; and Hiram Colón, Musical Director, Community Service Golden Age Award.
The Golden Age Awards are presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Latino/Hispanic Community. These awards recognize effective leadership, lifetime contributions, public policy initiatives, corporate contributions, and community involvement.
The banquet was a splendid black-tie affair and received extensive coverage on the 10 O’Clock News by Fox 5 News. Jessica Formoso from WNYW-TV, Channel 5, served as the Master of Ceremonies, and the gala was presided over by Adriene Rosell.
Our projects are conducted to help the Latino elderly, who are in poor economic conditions and oftentimes isolated with no one to help or guide them. We are proud of our reputation for excellence, and since we could not do this without your support, we hope you share in our pride.
Below please find a Paypal donation link for your consideration. We are asking for a financial contribution in lieu of attending or sponsoring this year’s 2023 LCA Awards gala event, which is our annual fundraiser that we rely on to fund the majority of our activities.
For photos from the 2019 Golden Age Awards Gala Click Here
LCA's National Conference on Latinos and Alzheimer's
NEW YORK – Building upon its first national conference on Alzheimer’s & Latinos in 2020 that was a resounding success, the Latino Center on Aging (LCA) together with other prestigious organizations from troughout the country held its Second National Conference on Alzheimer’s, titled, “A Life Without Memory: Latinos and Alzheimer’s.” This virtual free registration conference took place on Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. There were presenters from New York, California, Texas and Florida, and an audience from the US and Latin America.
The conference was conducted in Spanish. Being its purpose to inform, educate and train all who are involved in the care of persons with Alzheimer’s disease. The conference provided a unique forum for the elderly and caregivers to discuss important issues on a one-on-one basis, offering a great opportunity to network with knowledgeable experts and those in need.
Although non-Hispanic whites make up the majority of the over 6 million people in the United States with Alzheimer Disease, research shows that Hispanics/Latinos and African Americans are at higher risk of developing AD (1.5x and 2x, respectively).
Some of the conference guest speakers, from left: Dr. Gladys Maestre from the University of Texas; Dr. Christian Camargo from the University of Miami; Dr. Katalina McInerney of University of Miami; and Dr. José Goris from SOMOS Community Care, New York.
Studies published by researchers at the John P. Hussman Institute have shown Alzheimer Disease genetic risk factors can differ between ancestries. Thus, is it possible that drugs developed on findings based on only one group of individuals, may not work in individuals with different ancestries.
“We need to make best efforts to educate our community on all aspects of this debilitating disease,” said Mario E. Tapia, President and CEO of the LCA.
The conference was sponsored by SOMOS Community Care – Doral Family Journal – University of Miami – University of Texas – Alzheimer’s Association (California) – Humana – United HomeCare – Advocate Health – Alliance for Aging.
The general population of Alzheimer’s patients will grow to 16 million by 2050, from 5 million now. “Presently there are three hundred and fifty thousand Hispanics over the age of sixty residing in New York City, a number that will double in the next 35 years. We need to make best efforts to educate our community on this debilitating disease,” said Mario E. Tapia, President and CEO of the LCA.
The conference was sponsored by CaringKind, Omnicare, Royal Care NYC and MetroPlus.
Nationally and Locally Latino Elderly Experience Dramatic Increase
NEW YORK – The graph shows the statistical projection of the population over 65 years of Hispanic origin residing in the USA. From 2.9 million in 2010 is projected to 19.9 million in the next 35 years. In New York City the present number is over to 400,000.
This population growth projection represents a big challenge. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, presently there are over 400 thousand Hispanics 60 plus residing in NYC, number that will quadruple in the next 35 years.
The need for information about existing programs and services proves to be more than obvious, besides of being crucial. The LCA is bringing its years of experience and knowledge to the population of older Latinos, with respect for their culture and language.
Services and programs for this segment of the population does not go according to its rapid and unprecedented growth
"PARA MAYORES" [FOR SENIORS]: LCA'S RADIO SHOW
Mario Tapia, Para Mayores host with a guest, Dr. Marina Sarno from the University of Miami.
MIAMI, FL — Since October of 2018, every Saturday at 9:00 AM, LCA has been broadcasting its weekly radio show “Para Mayores” on La Nueva Poderosa 670 AM radio (Worldwide via Internet). Conducted by Mario Tapia, LCA’s President and CEO, brings information on topics of interest to the growing Spanish speaking elderly communities throughout the United States.
NEW DATE: OCTOBER 17TH, 2024
In just a few days, on October 17th, the Latino Center on Aging and the SW Focal Point Senior Center of Pembroke Pines, FL are hosting a Bilingual Senior Resource and Wellness Fair. Over 20 organizations serving the elderly will be present. Also, there will be a Danzon dance contest. The event it’s a celebration of the National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Video: LCA’s At Work produced by FOX5-TV NYC
2024 Thanksgiving Project – Donation Here!
Adriene Rosell, Gala Chairwoman joined by three of LCA’s Gala Emcees, Jessica Vallejo (Miami), Giovanna Drpic (NYC/Miami) and Jessica Formoso (NYC/Miami). (Photo courtesy of Christopher Rybin).
LATINO CENTER ON AGING – 580 Fifth Avenue, Suite 820, New York, NY 10036 – (212) 330-8120 For e-mail.