Lillyam Tabares was born in Medellin, Colombia, known as the City of the Eternal Spring, due to its mild climate. She is one of 4 children. Her Dad was a Firefighter and her Mom was a Teacher and Artisan. Lillyam obtained both her Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees in Sociology and Project Management from the University in Medellin.
Lilliam’s career took her to City Hall in Medellin, where she headed the first Project in Latin America to address Domestic Violence and Abuse, Addiction, Diversity and Sexual Harassment awareness. Because of her work in this sector, she was bestowed the government’s Women of the Year Award for Social Work in March of 1988. She considers this a great honor and accomplishment in her life.
While working as a social worker and family therapist during the height of the drug wars in Colombia, Lillyam was kidnapped by the Guerilla Army twice, when the men attempted to steal the funds allocated for the family programs.
Lillyam and her children applied for political asylum in Canada and in the United States in 2000. She and her daughter Fenix were granted asylum in Rhode Island, and her other two children, Gustavo and Ana Maria, remained in Ontario, Canada, where they live to this day. Lillyam moved to California in 2011 and came to live at La Posada in September of 2013.
Every week we see Lillyam’s artwork decorating our walls at La Posada. Her passion for the arts developed when she had the opportunity, as a young student, to attend classes at the Government’s School for Design and Visual Arts in Medellin. Lillyam had great art teachers, some of which were well known artists in Latin America. Since then, she enjoys drawing, painting, photography, and sculpting. Art has been a therapy for Lillyam to heal from past traumas. For her, it is a source of peace that fills her soul and her spirit.
In addition to the weekly art class at La Posada, she spends 3 to 4 hours daily working on her own art projects, and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling when she can. One of the highlights of her travels was visiting The Holy Land and the Vatican.
When asked what she enjoys the most about living at La Posada, Lillyam replies that “La Posada is home.” She is grateful for all the thoughtfulness of the staff, enjoys the activities, and appreciates the help and assistance always provided by the front desk staff and Management.
