The Pedro J Martinez And Brothers Foundation

OUR GOAL IS TO MEET EVERY CHILD'S EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS, IN ORDER TO EQUIP THEM TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY IN THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY CENTER AND PROGRAMS.

GROWING UP WITH LITTLE OPPORTUNITY IN THE SAN MIGUEL DE MANOGUAYABO REGION OF DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, PEDRO'S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE PAIRED WITH HIS GENEROUS HEART INSPIRED THE LAUNCH OF THE PEDRO MARTINEZ FOUNDATION IN 1998. PEDRO'S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING SUPPORT, ASSISTANCE, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT POSITIVELY IMPACTS THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES BEGAN WITH A DONATION OF LAND IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC THAT WOULD EVOLVE INTO A COMMUNITY CENTER THAT WOULD SERVE THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. IN 2007, THE FIRST PROGRAM LAUNCHED - HAY PODER EN APRENDER (THERE IS POWER IN LEARNING) AND BROUGHT NEW LIFE TO THE COMMUNITY. EACH DAY, CHILDREN WHO OTHERWISE FACED ABUSE, HUNGER, TEEN PREGNANCY, OR CRIME, RUSHED THROUGH THE DOORS TO RECEIVE EDUCATION AND HEALTHY MEALS, PARTICIPATE IN ARTS, SPORTS, AND RECREATION, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, TO FEEL LOVED. WITH A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO EDUCATION, OUR CHILDREN BEGAN DEVELOPING A SENSE OF IDENTITY AND EMPOWERMENT WHILE RECEIVING EDUCATION AND LIFE SKILLS THROUGH OUR OVER 60 PROGRAMS AT THE FOUNDATION. THE COMMUNITY CENTER IS LOCATED IN MANOGUAYABO, DR AND IS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE CITY OF SANTO DOMINGO. OVER THE YEARS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN MULTIPLE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AS THE DEMAND FOR OUR SERVICES HAVE INCREASED AND TO DATE IT HAS MULTIPLE CLASSROOMS, A PLAYGROUND, VOLLEYBALL/BASKETBALL COURT, COMPUTER LAB, KITCHEN, COUNSELING ROOMS, A NURSERY, DENTAL OFFICE, AND A MULTI-PURPOSE CENTER. WE ALSO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH A BASEBALL FIELD OPEN FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. TO DATE WE HAVE SERVED OVER 100,000 CHILDREN WITH OUR LIFE CHANGING PROGRAMS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER. OUR PROGRAMS OVER THE YEARS HAVE INCREASED AND WE ARE NOW PROVIDING SERVICES EVERYDAY AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND ALSO IN 15 OTHER COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. WE ARE ALSO WORKING IN 3 DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES (BOSTON, LAWRENCE, AND THE BRONX). ONE OF OUR MAIN FOCUSES RIGHT NOW IS BUILDING A CHARTER SCHOOL IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC THAT WILL PROVIDE DAILY EDUCATION TO 1700 CHILDREN EVERYDAY AND WILL ALSO HAVE A MEDICAL AND DENTAL FACILITY AND SPORTS FACILITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO USE.