Martin, who identifies as Mexican American, grew up in the Lower East Side and joined the Harriman Clubhouse in 1986 at the age of 13.
“Back then, members were classified into three categories: Midgets, Juniors, and Intermediates. I was a Junior when I first entered the Boys’ Club doors. I did not know it then, but the clubhouse would become an important part of my life. I initially joined to become more sociable, which was my mother’s idea. She did not like the fact that I was coming home from school, watching television, and eating. The Boys’ Club provided me, an overweight kid, with physical activity. I also became a member of the now-discontinued boxing team. I represented BCNY in the famed ‘New York City Golden Gloves,’ in the Superheavyweight Division. I even made it to the semifinals two years in a row! This gave me the confidence to pursue other life goals. This would not have been possible if not for BCNY.”
The Boys’ Club, says Martin, provided him with the foundation for adulthood.
“During my younger years, I did not understand the value of an education—chalk it up to lack of maturity. There was a period in my life when I was more focused on my athletic career. After my amateur career with the New York City Golden Gloves was over, I contemplated a professional career, but it never quite manifested. Thankfully, the Boys’ Club reinforced what my parents taught me. At one point, I enrolled at LaGuardia Community College, so that I could work at the Boys’ Club because being in school was a condition of my employment.”
Working at the Boys’ Club sparked Martin’s interest in public service. He eventually transferred to the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and majored in human services.
“During my period at BMCC, I would walk past One Police Plaza and fantasize about being a police officer. As a kid, I would watch television shows that centered around cops, shows like Kojack and Hill Street Blues, to name a few.”
After stints in law enforcement with The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and The New York City Department of Corrections, Martin pursued his lifelong dream, joining the New York Police Department.
“I was not your typical police recruit; I was in my early thirties. Eventually, I transferred to a new command, where a sergeant took a special liking to me. I became his driver, and during my time working with him, I would discuss my desire to finish my education. I never felt like I had the intellectual capacity to get an undergraduate degree. For whatever reason, he encouraged me to pursue my education. One day on patrol, he said he needed to make a stop. We drove to 59th Street and 10th Avenue. We went inside the building, and I just tagged along, listening to him ask questions about the admissions process. That day would change my life. Sgt. Ramroop stated that I would start taking classes by next semester. I was taken by surprise. I wasn’t sure if I was yet ready. Sgt. Ramroop said I was ready and paid my admissions fee to get into the program. In January 2016, I enrolled in my first class at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.”
Martin completed his undergraduate studies in the summer of 2018 and immediately began the graduate portion of the NYPD Leadership Program at John Jay. His goal is to teach and share the knowledge he’s acquired so others, too, may be inspired by his story.
“I am a work in progress. I am constantly learning and developing my skills. And now, during this pandemic, I rely on family conversations and reading a good book to maintain a sense of normalcy and put me at ease.”
Martin is an example to us all that life is a constant cycle of learning, growing, and believing in a brighter day—a lesson of hope and perseverance that can serve as an anchor in these fragile times.
“If I can provide any words of encouragement during this time of uncertainty, I’d say take precautions as advised by medical experts, check on loved ones, and remain positive. This might sound a bit clichéd, but we will get through this.”