Project Description
Meet COA’s Family of the Year Honoree: The Martinez Family
Leticia (Leti) and Victor Martinez and their family are the recipients of COA’s 2022 Family of the Year award.
Leticia Martinez currently works as COA’s Samson Family Resource Center Program Coordinator, but her connection with COA was formed much earlier when she participated in COA’s HIPPY program with her son, Azrael.
Azrael and Leticia were one of the first families to graduate from the HIPPY program, and Martinez children Azalea, Isabella, Ismael, and Xavier all followed suit.
After HIPPY, the Martinez children continued on to participate in more COA programs. Some were enrolled in COA’s Early Education Childcare Center, others participated in COA’s youth development programs, like their father Victor did back in the 80s, and the entire family spent time together at COA’s Camp Helen Brachman.
After experiencing HIPPY with her own children, Leticia worked as a HIPPY Parent Partner for 16 years before beginning her current role as COA’s Samson Family Resource Center Program Coordinator.
Over the course of Leticia’s time with COA, Leticia’s husband, Victor, and all five of their children have supported COA by volunteering at countless HIPPY and Family Resource Center events, exemplifying COA’s motto of “family being at the center of everything we do.”
Leticia has had a tremendous impact on so many COA families who participated in HIPPY and Samson Family Resource (FRC) center programming. When talking about the role Leticia and the FRC has played in their life, one family said,
“We have been coming to FRC since last year. My experience with the facility is very amazing. The interactions, activities, and positive influence in this community teach me to be a better parent. My 3-year-old loves to come and play, learn and interact with all kids. Ms. Leticia and Ms. Jenna welcome all of us with open arms.”
Leticia and her family exemplify COA’s motto, “family is at the center of everything we do,” and we are honored to recognize them as COA’s 2022 Family of the Year.
At COA, family is at the center of everything we do. We believe family is the single most important influence in a child’s life which is why our early childhood, youth development, and community development programs use a focused approach to address the needs of the entire family.
All proceeds raised during our Family of the Year luncheon will directly benefit COA’s holistic, family-centered programs and support our vision of providing child-centered, family-focused, community-connected opportunities that expand possibilities, change lives, and build futures.