Laura Martinez’s journey to the U.S. began eleven years ago when she relocated from her native country, Colombia. She arrived and fell in love with the energy of New York City along with its architecture and diversity. As an au pair in CT, she would spend weekends in the NYC taking in all its glory and learning about American culture. She quickly began building her own English skills and personal confidence, and embarked on a journey as an ESL tutor working with beginner level learners. As a volunteer she focused on service and building community in her classroom relating to students through her own personal experiences as she transitioned to the U.S.

As a woman of deep faith, she tells the story of her experience as a new mother and feeling the the support of her church community, a place where she finds and gives acceptance and love to others. Her passion to help others spills into her everyday life and is the foundation of how she engages and impacts those around her in her family, work and church community.