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About our FounderHenry "Hank" MartinezHank was born in Chicago to parents who came from Guanajuato, Mexico. Hank became a larger than life figure in the Southeast Chicago Region. His life was marked by sacrifice and service, commitment and struggle, and he leaves a legacy of advocacy and institution building on behalf of the Latino community and specifically Latino youth and veterans.
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Throughout his life, Hank played various roles, among them: community organizer, youth advocate, state worker, consultant, journalist, social worker, executive director, Latino community leader, and devoted husband, father and grandfather. In over six decades of service, he was an action oriented leader who accomplished many firsts on behalf of the Latino community. Hank dedicated his life to providing guidance for youth and to empower Latino communities. He was the Founder and Executive Director of the Mexican Community Committee (MCC), established to reduce crime and gang activity, the first entity of its kind in the Southeast community of Chicago. He was the Founder and Director of the Latino Resource Institute of Illinois, which also houses an Illinois Welcoming Center and Family Advocacy Center.
Hank serviced as Senior Supervisor at the Chicago Area Project (CAP), which addresses juvenile delinquency in some of the poorest communities of the city. Hank launched the First Latino Community College Program, “Projecto Venceremons”, in Southeast Chicago, which was later adopted by the City Colleges of Chicago. He also served as part of Gov. Ogilvie’s Spanish Speaking Peoples Study Commission in the early 1970s, one of the first Latino Commissions in the nation.
Over three decades later, convinced that more than ever Latinos needed a voice inside State government, Hank became the visionary force behind the creation of the Illinois Latino Family Commission, becoming chairman in 2010 and leading the efforts to fight for Latino equality and inclusion.
Hank was a Korean War Veteran, who honorably served his country in the U.S. Army. He made it his mission to ensure Latino Veterans had a voice and access to well-deserved supports. He founded the Latino Veterans Committee of the Illinois Latino Family Commission to provide a forum to connect Latino Veterans throughout the State to resources and to each other. He led the efforts to establish a Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in South Chicago that stands as a testament today of his commitment to fellow veterans.
He was an active member of the American G.I. Forum, and numerous boards, councils, and commissions throughout his many years of service and advocacy. He had a degree from Roosevelt University, the University of Chicago, and a Master’s Degree in Juvenile Justice from Chicago State University.
The years did not weaken Hank’s resolve to fight for the Latino community. He continued to be a tough advocate until his last days; his resolve only matched by his big heart. Hank left an indelible footprint on the lives of many Latinos across the state. We will miss your force and spirit, but will never forget the lessons in visionary leadership and courage you taught us.
Hank serviced as Senior Supervisor at the Chicago Area Project (CAP), which addresses juvenile delinquency in some of the poorest communities of the city. Hank launched the First Latino Community College Program, “Projecto Venceremons”, in Southeast Chicago, which was later adopted by the City Colleges of Chicago. He also served as part of Gov. Ogilvie’s Spanish Speaking Peoples Study Commission in the early 1970s, one of the first Latino Commissions in the nation.
Over three decades later, convinced that more than ever Latinos needed a voice inside State government, Hank became the visionary force behind the creation of the Illinois Latino Family Commission, becoming chairman in 2010 and leading the efforts to fight for Latino equality and inclusion.
Hank was a Korean War Veteran, who honorably served his country in the U.S. Army. He made it his mission to ensure Latino Veterans had a voice and access to well-deserved supports. He founded the Latino Veterans Committee of the Illinois Latino Family Commission to provide a forum to connect Latino Veterans throughout the State to resources and to each other. He led the efforts to establish a Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in South Chicago that stands as a testament today of his commitment to fellow veterans.
He was an active member of the American G.I. Forum, and numerous boards, councils, and commissions throughout his many years of service and advocacy. He had a degree from Roosevelt University, the University of Chicago, and a Master’s Degree in Juvenile Justice from Chicago State University.
The years did not weaken Hank’s resolve to fight for the Latino community. He continued to be a tough advocate until his last days; his resolve only matched by his big heart. Hank left an indelible footprint on the lives of many Latinos across the state. We will miss your force and spirit, but will never forget the lessons in visionary leadership and courage you taught us.
OUR
Board of Directors
Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
Board Members
- Alson Martinez
Treasurer
- Krystal Martinez
Secretary
- Mary Parich
Board Members
- Larry Manetti