Aurora YMCA outreach director aims to impact lives

Juan Martinez admits he was one of those kids who didn't have much direction in high school.

While attending Waubonsie Valley in Aurora, he ran with the wrong crowd, partied, drank and got involved with drugs.

But Steve Andreas, pastor of student ministries at Calvary Church in Naperville, where Martinez's family attended, never gave up on him, he said.

"Pastor Steve was always there for me," he said. "No matter how many times I said no, he would always say yes and be there the next time I messed up."

Andreas' perseverance paid off. The summer after Martinez graduated from high school in 2001, the Aurora resident made a commitment to turning his life around, went to college, became involved in youth ministry and now serves as the recently hired community outreach director of the Aurora Family YMCA.

Martinez's own struggles have helped prepare him for the position he holds now, Andreas said.

"His way of operating is going to be to look at people and believe that nobody is beyond hope," Andreas said. "His personality and ability to relate to people are really exceptional."

The Aurora YMCA closed its building last December, but Martinez said its programs are alive and well in the community.

In his new position, which he started in August, Martinez aims to be the same steadying influence in the lives of youth that Andreas was to him.

"I feel that powerful word, 'consistency,' is really important," he said. "It keeps people on track. It keeps people wanting to make good decisions.

"There is no place I would rather be right now. My job is to influence people."

Jeff Piontek, executive director of Aurora YMCA, said Martinez has made a strong start. He's met with the volunteers who serve on the Y's board, reached out to partner with other organizations and is involved with the fall youth basketball league.

Martinez also has been part of the start-up of a new Access to Technology center in the Jericho Circle housing complex in Aurora to teach area residents to use computers. An open house for the new center runs through Friday.

"We're just real happy to have him," Piontek said. "You could see he just had a real passion for it."

Prior to being hired full-time by the YMCA, Martinez had worked part-time as a site director in the Y's Safe 'N' Sound after-school program in Naperville.

He's also been heavily involved in Calvary Church's NXT Student Ministries, which draws some 300 students to its Wednesday night and Sunday services.

Martinez has helped coordinate basketball leagues, spoken to hundreds of students at events, led youth to mentor children in Aurora housing projects and been a leader in the summer discipleship program.

He's also just hung out with youth who needed extra attention. Richard Elton of Wheaton was one of them.

Elton, who was part of Calvary's youth group, wasn't getting in trouble, but he wasn't doing very well in school either. He's now a freshman at Trinity International University in Deerfield.

"I can honestly say the main reason I'm in college is because of him. He challenged me in many ways in my walk with Christ and in school," Elton said. "I definitely think he's had an impact on tons of kids."

After graduating from high school, Martinez attended Central Bible College in Springfield, Mo., where he met his wife, Katelynn. He worked at Citibank in Naperville before joining the YMCA full time.

"This isn't a job where I sit back and wonder what's going to happen next. I create those opportunities for myself," he said.

The Y is working with NXT Student Ministries to start a mentorship program in the high schools. Martinez also is working to get teen nights started and to get involved with the Y's program in which high school youth learn about government and take a trip to Springfield in the spring.

Martinez meets weekly with a dean at Waubonsie Valley, taking pleasure in going back to the school where he often messed up as a student.

"I'm so excited and thankful to God (that) I have this opportunity to serve youth and see lives changed," he said. "There's not greater joy, there's no greater fulfilling passion you can have."

If you go

What:Access to Technology open house

When:3 to 6 p.m. today through Friday

Where:1499 Jericho Circle, Aurora

Info:(630) 896-9782