Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Martinez.
Katherine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Dorchester and Hyde Park. My experience in affordable housing began as an Assistant Property Manager for Winn Residential where I helped manage the Lena Park Portfolio. This experience generated a strong connection to the community in which I placed numerous residents into affordable housing. I consider myself a fierce advocate for the homeless via my work at the City of Boston’s Fair Housing & Equity, and at the Somerville Community Action Coalition.
My past positions –including my tenure as Lena Park’s Business Manager and Operations Director—have been highlights of my commitment to this community which I am so passionate about. I believe in the power of community organizing, grassroots efforts, and collective voices. I want to help empower more people in my community to believe in themselves and create their own paths to success.
Has it been a smooth road?
Being a young Afro-Latina and working in a field that has predominately been led by people that don’t look like me, can be challenging. It’s hard to develop a vision of leadership when you don’t see representation, and it matters. I had been celebrated in all my positions for my work ethic, intelligence and passion for the field, but I was always told I was too young to lead an organization.
I never had the ambition per say, but I did have the passion that this type of work of requires in order to be a true champion for our community. I am aware I will face a lot of obstacles in my path and that awareness has given me a thick skin. I have conviction in the type of leader I want to be and how I want to represent this community. I thrive to treat everyone with the utmost respect and a clear understanding that they matter, we all matter.
My lack of vast experience has been criticized at times, but that same lack of experience is free of prejudices for the type of work we do and the people we serve. I plan to be intentional in my collaboration efforts with all the other powerful and talented voices in the community. Together, I believe we have the power to enrich many lives right here in our own backyard.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lena Park CDC story. Tell us more about the business.
Lena Park’s mission for the 21st century is to provide integrated programs, services and access to resources that will help youth and families in the Lena Park catchment area build healthy lives, healthy families, and a healthy community.
Furthermore, Lena Park’s vision for its community is one in which youth have supported to achieve academic success that enables them to complete college and/or a career-oriented job; youth and families have access to activities and recreation that provide alternatives to violence and that build positive youth development assets; and families have access to community, private and government resources and services that they can use to strengthen their families.
What makes me most proud of Lena Park is that as an organization, we take our commitment to our residents and the community very seriously. Lena Park has faced adversity in the past and in true Lena Park spirt, this organization was able to reorganize and come back stronger than ever. We now have a beautiful space that is open for the community to enjoy.
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
Lena Park is strategically gearing up to develop a plan in the next 5- years that will secure more affordable housing units for our residents. Our organization is laser-focused on innovative programming that will equip our participants with the necessary skills to enhance their workforce qualifications. We are deliberately focused on closing the technology gap in our community and ensuring that everyone has access to the latest technology.
My leadership will continue to promote compassion and understanding of each other’s struggle. Promoting empathy will help our community heal and thrive emotionally while raising awareness about the trauma that we experience that has a significant impact on our ability to live happy, healthy enriched lives.
Contact Info:
- Address: 150 American Legion Highway Dorchester, Ma 02124
- Website: www.lenaparkcdc.org
- Phone: 617-533-8133
- Email: Kmartinez@lenaparkcc.org
- Facebook: Lena Park Community Development Corporation
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
