Gerardo Martinez, El Buen Samaritano
This month's Staff Spotlight is Gerardo Martinez! Gerardo is the Youth Program Manager at El Buen Samaritano, where they create spaces where young people feel safe, seen, and accepted for who they are.
Gerardo's path into youth development comes from a deeply personal place. As someone who is neurodivergent, they often struggled to find where they fit or to feel fully understood growing up. That feeling stayed with them and turned into something bigger: a desire to make sure other young people don't have to question whether they belong. Gerardo is committed to building spaces where youth, especially those who feel a little different or out of place, know there is a space for them.
One of Gerardo's proudest accomplishments is the growth of El Buen's youth program during their time there. When they first started, the program served students from 1st to 7th grade. Gerardo led the expansion so that it now serves students all the way through 12th grade and created summer internship opportunities for high school students to start building skills, confidence, and a sense of direction for their future. But what stays with Gerardo most are the relationships. This year, one of their very first students is graduating from high school. "I still remember them as a younger student, trying to figure things out, and now they are stepping into this huge milestone," Gerardo shared. "Seeing that full circle moment reminded me why this work matters." They've also worked to strengthen social-emotional learning in the program, approaching it not just as curriculum but as how they show up for young people every day, helping them understand themselves, navigate challenges, and feel supported as whole individuals.
Looking ahead, Gerardo aspires to step into executive leadership roles where they can help shape systems, expand access, and advocate for programs that center equity and belonging on a larger scale. Their message to fellow OST professionals is to lead with genuine care and relationships. In their words, "Young people can feel when you are being real with them. The programs and outcomes matter, but what they will remember most is how you made them feel." They remind us that we don't have to have everything figured out. Just showing up consistently and creating a space where young people feel seen and valued can make a bigger impact than we realize.
