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Rep. Napolitano Congratulates Local Activist Teresa Palacios on Imagen Award

March 28, 2012

(Washington, D.C.) Last night, at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Rep. Grace F. Napolitano congratulated Teresa Palacios of East Los Angeles' Eastmont Community Center on being awarded the 2012 Imagen Foundation Latina Leaders Award. Napolitano nominated Palacios for the award based on her years of leadership and volunteer service in East L.A.

"Teresa Palacios' dedication to improving the community is an inspiration to all who know her," Napolitano said. "She has helped thousands of families with after-school programs, adult education, fitness and nutrition initiatives, and many other services. Her work reminds us of how the efforts of hardworking Latinas improve our lives every day. Tonight, I would like to thank her on behalf of all of the members of our community and congratulate her on winning this well-deserved honor."

The Imagen Foundation is a national organization that promotes positive images of Latinos in the media and recognizes Latino men and women who serve as positive role models.

Palacios has helped Eastmont Community Center provide human services to more than 10,000 low income families in East Los Angeles every year.

Palacios has put down deep roots in the local community, working to provide education and health improvement programs with the Montebello Unified School District, KIPP Raices Academy, Forth St. Elementary, Volunteers of America, AltaMed, Casa Maravilla, SER Jobs for Progress, Maravilla Foundation, Projecto Ayuda, Chicana Service Action Center, East Los Angeles College, TELACU, East L.A. Community Corporation and the East L.A. Women Center.

Palacios also pioneered Eastmont Community Center's innovative "Comadres in Motion" program, which provides nutritional instruction, exercise, and mental health services to prevent diabetes and improve overall health for local women.

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