Giovanna Martinez
Giovanna is the Youth Services Coordinator for the WomenShelter of Long Beach and has worked with victims of domestic violence since 2001 — and this CV-like description does her and her work little justice.
She works with youth who eerily reflect her own childhood, which was reared in violence and a broken marriage that ended in divorce. However, unlike her situation which she recognizes she is now removed from, the youth she deals with are still submerged in domestic violence, having fled their home to find safety. These encounters instigated a passion to not only alter how we as a society approach youth victims of domestic violence, but how the WomenShelter itself operates. She led the pilot youth program that went from three youth groups of 15 clients to 120 youth clients per year spread out over five groups.
“Domestic violence knows no color, age, or sexual orientation; it does not discriminate,” she says with a voice that is as stern in its belief as it is warm. “I know firsthand how vital these services are. One of my greatest passions is working with the community and our youth… When I think about the contribution WSLB’s Youth Services Program is providing to Long Beach, I am filled with hope. I know we are planting seeds of change that the youth we reach will harvest healthy and violence free relationships. Through my prevention work I hope to ignite future generations of advocates to continue the fight for social justice, equal rights, and a violence-free world.”
Giovanna was the recipient this year of the Soroptimist of Long Beach’s Women of Distinction Award for Human Rights/Status of Women. She is currently in college to obtain her masters in Marriage and Family Therapy.