Dominican Miami-resident Maria Jacobo received the US Presidents Volunteer Service Award for her efforts to help young adults with autism in the United States. Jacobo traveled to the United States when her son Enyol Martinez finished high school. Her son today is employed at Starbucks corporation and she heads a foundation to help parents who have children with autism.
In 2023 she published her book, “Vestidas de Gloria” to help women develop their own personal style from within.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award was started in 2003 by President George Bush. It seeks to recognize the important role of volunteers in the United States’ strength and national identity. The award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the country and inspires others.
The PVSA has continued under each US government, honoring the volunteers who are using their time and talents to solve some of the toughest challenges in that nation.
Led by the AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, the program allows Certifying Organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers.
The eminent recognition, the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA), is the pinnacle of volunteer awards programs.
To help her son, Maria Jacobo had traveled to the United States and created the Haape Programs (Helping Adults with Autism to Perform and Excel) for post-high school for autism children to integrate with the community.
HAAPE has the backing of Stanford University, Georgia Tech, Broward College and Nova Southeastern University in the United States.
Jacobo is proud her son Enyol Martinez, who was diagnosed with autism at 5 years old, is now a specialist in Microsoft, works as a corporate in Starbucks, and can drive. She has a second son, 22-year old Pedro Martinez Jr who is playing baseball.
Her sons were born in the United States when she was the wife of Boston Red Sox star pitcher Pedro Martinez. Jacobo and Martinez divorced and she never married again to dedicate herself to her son and her emerging businesses.
She works with Univision Radio, is a certified image counsellor and simultaneous translator.
Follow her story:
Diario Libre
Dominican Sisters Club
Noticias SIN
Esta Noche con Mariasela
El Dia
PSVA
Wikipedia
Maria Jacobo
Noticias SIN
19 March 2024