KIDS COUNT Director
Kids Count, Juvenile Justice
Hometown
Murray, UT
What was your favorite thing about being a child, and do you try to hold onto that spirit as an adult?
As a kid, one of my favorite things was enjoying the times I just watched, fascinated by the world around me. I still love sitting and observing my surroundings and people-watching. Whenever I get to sit and observe the world around me, I feel calm. I love to people-watch, especially what happens in group situations, just enjoying the moment.
What was your favorite toy or game to play with as a child?
One of my favorite toys as a kid was a kid-sized toolkit that had things like a small hammer and saw (not sharp, just plastic of course).
What was your favorite hobby or extracurricular activity as a child, and did you pursue it further later in life?
Watching movies. When I was young, my father would take me and my siblings to Mexican films on Friday nights. There was a theater on North Temple in Rose Park that showed Mexican-made films, and since my mother worked the swing shift at her job, my father would take us kids to the movies. My mother introduced me to long epic films, even today I love long movies, if a movie is two to three hours long I am so happy.
What was the most challenging experience you faced as a child, and how did you overcome it?
School work, primarily reading and writing. My struggle with schoolwork was tied to my undiagnosed learning disability of dyslexia, which I was not diagnosed with until my early forties, and that diagnosis changed my life. I finally knew that it was not a lack of intelligence but a disability I could work with, and it provided me the confidence to believe I could work in the policy field.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned as a child, and how has it influenced your life today?
My father had a significant influence on my life. My father kept me aware of news and current events, especially around politics, elections, and issues related to working families. He did not become a U.S. citizen until he was well into his seventies, but he educated himself on current issues so he could help my mother be prepared to vote. My parents worked as a team, and that teamwork was one of the most important lessons they taught me - to be aware, educate yourself on the issues, and to work together.
Biography
Martín joined the organization in 2020. Martín has over twenty years of experience working as a project and team manager in electrical and facilities maintenance in both private industry and government. A proud Latino of Mexican descent, he was born and raised in Utah and always loved history and government. He attended the University of Utah, where he earned his BA in history and masters in public administration. He is incredibly passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion work. He is grateful for the opportunity to join Voices for Utah Children to work for policies that will enhance opportunities for all kids.
