Jason Martinez, MS

Jason was born and raised in New York City, but currently resides in Stratford, CT. He has his bachelor's degree in Sociology and Theater from Northwestern University, and a master's degree in Urban Education from Mercy College. Jason spent 6 years working as a special education teacher in New York City before transitioning to the non-profit sector as founding program manager for Reading Partners NYC, whose literacy intervention model focused on training community volunteers to provide 1 to 1 tutoring to students reading below grade level. In 2013 Jason joined United Way of Greater New Haven, where he had the opportunity to support widespread change in a 12 town catchment area. His work was focused on basic needs, ensuring those in the region had access to housing and food. In August of 2020, Jason had the opportunity to join the team at United Way of Greater Waterbury when he was named the new Vice President of Community Impact. He was excited to continue supporting some of our most vulnerable community members, and helping to lead the impact team in an equitable and inclusive approach, to guarantee those in greater Waterbury had their most basic of needs met. Most recently, Jason is thrilled to join the team at the Office of Public Health practice as the inaugural director of the Community Impact Lab.