Nancy Martinez is a proud long-time resident of Rockaway Queens, a mother of two, a small business owner, and a community leader who has helped over 15,000 New Yorkers learn new skills and start a career. She is a single mother and the daughter of a decorated marine who instilled in her a deep sense of honor and service.
Those values were only further instilled when a tragic accident that left Nancy’s brother paralyzed. The experience of taking care of her brother awoke a passion to help others, especially children.
Nancy has since made it her life’s work to help others pursue a better life — literally. In 2010, she opened the New York Career Training School in Far Rockaway, where she educates thousands of New Yorkers every year, helping them develop new professional skills, obtain health care for themselves and their families, and start a new career. To date, the Training School has graduated over 16,000 students and with an estimated rate of over 98%, has employed close to 15,760 of her graduates.