HOW WE BEGAN AND WHERE WE ARE TODAY
A legacy that began with purpose, discipline, and a commitment to transform lives through education, health, and sports.
Beginnings
Growing up with little opportunity in the San Miguel de Manoguayabo region of Dominican Republic, Pedro’s personal experience paired with his generous heart inspired the launch of the Pedro Martinez Foundation in 1998. Pedro’s commitment to providing support, assistance, and educational programs that positively impacts the lives of children and families in low income communities began with a donation of land in the Dominican Republic that would evolve into a community center that would serve thousands of children and families. In 2007, the first program launched – Hay Poder en Aprender (There is Power in Learning) and brought new life to the community. Each day, children who otherwise faced abuse, hunger, teen pregnancy, or crime, rushed through the doors to receive education and healthy meals, participate in arts, sports, and recreation, and most importantly, to feel loved. With a holistic approach to education, our children began developing a sense of identity and empowerment while receiving education and life skills through our over 60 programs at the foundation.
The Community Center
The Community Center is located in Manoguayabo, DR and is right outside the city of Santo Domingo. Over the years at the Community Center we have undertaken multiple construction projects as the demand for our services have increased and to date it has multiple classrooms, a playground, volleyball/basketball court, computer lab, kitchen, counseling rooms, a nursery, dental office, and a multi-purpose center. We also serve the community with a baseball field open for everyone to enjoy. To date we have served over 100,000 children with our life changing programs at the Community Center.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide struggling youth with education, health and sports programas so they can thrive in life make a healthy contribution to society.
Our Philosophy
The youth we serve at the Pedro Martinez Foundation is facing desperate challenges living in poverty, lack of food and resources, many have learning and physical disabilities, as well as other difficult circumstances that keep them from reaching their full potential.
Our Goal
To create long-term impact through sustainable community programs.
Our Programs
The Pedro Martinez foundation focuses on three main programs: Education, Haalth and Sports. We have many services under three programs, which allows us to hoistically impact the youth we serve and provide them with the resources and tools to have a bright future.
OUR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Our education programs are very extensive and we work with youth from ages 4 to 18 in core subjects like reading, mathematics, language, and technology/computers.
- Education Evaluations for participants
- Computer classes
- Technical training for adolescents
- Academic tutoring in all major subjects
OUR HEALTH ACTIVITIES
We guarantee basic health services for our beneficiaries and their families, as well as for the broader community. In addition, we address the individual, group, and family psycho-emotional needs of children and adolescents through personalized interventions with both preventive and therapeutic approaches.
- Family therapy and counseling
- Medication for families
- Nutritional education and supports
- Pediatric medical care
OUR SPORTS ACTIVITIES
Through sports (Volleyball), we focus on developing the physical and mental skills and abilities of our athletes, based on teamwork, respect, discipline, responsibility, and perseverance.
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Sports tournaments
- Summer camp for youth
Where We Make an Impact
Our work reaches communities across the Dominican Republic and the United States, creating lasting change.
United States
Dominican Republic
Who We Impact
We support children, youth, families, and communities through education, health, and sports initiatives.
