BELONGING
Sonia Martinez
Co-Founder and Executive Director, Mohawk Valley Latino Association
Helping Families Move Forward
Sonia Martinez wants families in the Mohawk Valley to know they have somewhere to turn. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Mohawk Valley Latino Association, she helps families find support, connects young people with opportunities and works to make sure Latino residents feel welcomed, valued and included. “I believe that when we help people move forward, our entire community grows stronger.”
That belief helped inspire the creation of MVLA. Sonia wanted a place where Latino families and others could get help, where their culture could be celebrated and where young people could see possibilities for their future. She has always believed that when you see a need in your community, you should try to do something about it. “Over time, this work became more than a commitment; it became a personal mission.” Today, that means helping families access resources, navigate difficult situations and take steps toward a more stable life.
Earlier this year, that help reached a single mother who had fallen behind on a mortgage payment. Through a partnership with another program, MVLA helped her make the payment and get back on track. Since then, she has returned to church and is working toward paying that help forward. For Sonia, it’s one of many reminders of what timely support can mean to a family. “We may not always know how much our help means to someone, but sometimes simply being there can make all the difference.”
Some of that help comes through organized programs and partnerships. Other times, it starts with a conversation, a phone call or connecting someone with the right person. Sonia values those everyday opportunities to help just as much as the larger efforts. Listening to someone who is struggling or helping a family find support can be an important first step toward getting through a difficult time. Seeing a family get the help they need, or a young person begin to believe in their abilities, reminds her why the work matters.
Children and families are especially close to Sonia’s heart, and she is particularly proud of MVLA’s youth programs. “I want every young person to believe in themselves and understand that their background should never limit their dreams.” Watching young people learn, grow and become leaders reinforces her commitment to investing in them. Helping families build stability and giving children hope for their future are among the most meaningful parts of her work.
Being involved has also brought lasting relationships and a deeper sense of purpose into Sonia’s own life. She has met people whose strength, kindness and determination inspire her, and she appreciates the shared effort behind what MVLA accomplishes. “I have also learned that we cannot do everything alone; we need one another.” She sees that in the staff, volunteers, donors and partners who support the organization, as well as in the families who place their trust in its work.
For anyone who wants to give back but isn’t sure where to begin, Sonia suggests thinking about what they can offer. “Sometimes, giving your time, listening to someone, mentoring a young person, or helping a neighbor is enough to change someone’s day.” She encourages people to connect with organizations such as MVLA and find a way to get involved. To her, every contribution matters, and respecting one another and celebrating differences are part of building a community where everyone has an opportunity to succeed.
Sonia is proud of what MVLA continues to build, but she knows there is more to do. “My hope is that we continue working together so every family feels supported and every child knows they have a place and a future here.” She wants people to understand that supporting Latino families is an investment in the entire Mohawk Valley. Her personal message is simple: “We may come from different backgrounds, but we all want the same things for our families—a chance to succeed, a better future for our children, and a community where we belong. When we help one another, we make that future possible.”
This Thanksgiving, Sonia is grateful for the staff, volunteers, donors and partners who stand beside MVLA, the families who trust them and the young people who give them reasons to keep going. Those relationships are among the greatest rewards of her work, and she appreciates everyone who contributes their time, resources and care. Most of all, she’s thankful for the opportunity to serve. “This work reminds me that the greatest gift is not only what we receive, but what we can do for others.”
