HISTORY

Our History

TLC was founded in 1969 by three visionary families—the Tuckers, Moores, and Pierces—who sought a better future for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At the time, options were limited: institutionalization or navigating care alone. In response, they created a small “Mom’s Morning Out” program in the basement of a Cary, NC church, providing much-needed support for families.

From these humble beginnings, TLC has grown into a thriving organization that empowers individuals with disabilities to live meaningful, community-integrated lives. Today, our Chappell Drive campus serves as a hub for residential care, early intervention, therapy, and community-based programs, ensuring that individuals receive the skilled care and support they need to reach their fullest potential.

Timeline

1969

  • Tammy Lynn Memorial Foundation, Inc. is incorporated

1972

  • Mother’s morning out program for children with severe and profound developmental disabilities held at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary
  • Catholic Diocese of Raleigh donates the use of two buildings at the former Catholic Orphanage in Raleigh
  • Residential and center-based Respite Care services begin at the former orphanage site
  • Special education day services begin (three years before the historic Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – IDEA)

1974

  • The Early Childhood Intervention Project, originally titled Project Outreach, is started

1977

  • NC Council of State, through a long-term lease, awards TLC 5 acres of land on Chappell Drive in Raleigh

1979

  • A new residence for children and an education facility are constructed on Chappell Drive in Raleigh

1985

  • Tammy Lynn Center assumes in-home Respite Care services from the ARC of Wake County
  • An adult residence is constructed on the Chappell Drive campus

1986

  • The first Toast to the Triangle™, Tammy Lynn Center’s signature fundraising event is held

1987

  • NC Council of State, through a long-term lease, awards TLC 4 additional acres of land on Chappell Drive in Raleigh

1988

  • Glaxo, Inc. establishes the Tammy Lynn Endowment with $150,000 gift

1989

  • The Clifton L. Benson Education Building and the James A. Moore, Irvin B. Tucker IV, and Raleigh Civitan Residences are dedicated

1990

  • Former children’s residence and education facility is renovated to make space for therapy, conference and training rooms, assessment and observation area, library and office space
  • Development office is established through a $120,000 grant from the A.J. Fletcher Foundation
  • Respite Care receives the Charles T. Mitchell Award from the Arc of Wake County

1994

  • The Terry “Bunny” Roberts Memorial Garden is dedicated in memory of Terry, a former resident
  • TLC celebrates its 25th anniversary

1996

  • Meredith’s Courtyard is constructed and dedicated to the memory of Meredith Herold, a former TLC resident and student
  • National accreditation status from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is achieved

1997

  • A community-based adult supervised living apartment program for four young adults is initiated

1998

  • New flexible, family-friendly service options are implemented for home-based services
  • A new reimbursement system is implemented for Respite Care

1999

  • TLC celebrates 30th anniversary
  • Early Childhood Intervention Services (ECIS) celebrates its 25th anniversary
  • ECIS receives the Anne Sessoms Royal Award (statewide recognition for lifetime achievement and outstanding contribution)
  • TLC website goes live

2005

  • An intensive behavioral program launches as part of Developmental Day Services
  • Respite Care celebrates its 20th anniversary
  • Junior League of Raleigh presents “Legacy Award” for outstanding community service

2006

  • Leadership Raleigh, Team 20 create a new Adaptive Playground
  • Summer day camp program opens

2007

  • Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic Figure Skating Champion, serves as the Honorary Chair for the 22nd annual A Toast to the Triangle.
  • TLC receives Health Care Heroes recognition from Triangle Business Journal
  • Community living celebrates 10th anniversary
  • Two more community-based supervised living residences open in Cary
  • A preschool classroom opens, allowing for inclusion activities

2008

  • Toast to the Triangle brings in nearly $213,000 for programs and services of the TLC, setting a new record in contributions
  • Duke nursing program begins partnership for clinical rotations
  • TLC begins proving Specialized Consultative Services

2009

  • Tammy Lynn Center celebrates 40th birthday with each of its three founding families in attendance
  • The Center receives three-year CARF Accreditation

2010

  • Tammy Lynn Center hosts the 25th annual A Toast to the Triangle. The event attracts 1200 attendees and raises $192,000 for the programs and services for the Center.

2012

  • TLC welcomes new President and CEO Holly Richard after the retirement of Mary H. Freeman
  • Expansion of the Early Childhood Intervention program
  • Began Building Blocks Playgroup, our developmental therapy and play-based learning program

2013

  • Tammy Lynn Center creates a 3-year strategic plan with input from a broad constituency including: the individuals we serve and their family members, senior leaders, all staff, Board of Directors and Endowment Board members, and community leaders including government representatives, current donors/partners and potential donors/partners
  • TLC concludes its partnership with Band Together at a concert with Lyle Lovett and Delta Rae; raising more than $852,000 for the Center’s services

2014

  • ECIS is accepted into Rex Endowment program for free training and the ability to provide Triple P, Positive Parenting Program, to support our families with simple and practical strategies to confidently manage family life
  • Purchases first community-based supervised living residence

2015

  • Purchased and renovated community-based group home on Rose Street
  • 30th Annual Toast event was held and total funds raised exceeded $200,000 for the third year in a row
  • ECIS program expands with new therapists, providing bilingual individual and group services to families
  • Therapy Program expands to provide Special Consultative Services and welcomes new Speech and Psychologist contractors to the TLC family

2016

  • TLC kicks off its second wave of 3-year strategic planning.
  • Ralph Drive community-based group home is purchased and renovated
  • First bilingual speech therapist is hired

2017

  • Residential home in Wilmington is gifted to TLC
  • Beyond the Blocks launched to provide early intervention consultation to children and their teachers in typical community childcare settings

2018

  • New service of Applied Behavioral Analysis program for children and adults with Autism is initiated
  • 3-year CARF Accreditation (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) achieved

2019

  • Residential group home in Wilmington opens (Spring, 2019)
  • TLC celebrates 50th anniversary
  • TLC inducted into Raleigh Hall of Fame (October 2019)

2020

  • Executed service agreement with Cape Fear Group Homes to manage day-to-day operations of the Wilmington residential home
  • TLC hires Sarah Crawford as new CEO in November