Linda Martens has all the time been taken with worldwide affairs, so it appears inevitable that she would discover a strategy to commit her abilities, community, and keenness to a mission like Alternative Worldwide. Her first introduction was by fellow donor Jan Lengthy Harris at a dinner in 1992 the place she instantly fell in love with Alternative’s mission and the concept of a “hand up, not a handout.”
After receiving her bachelor’s diploma in Asian research from The School of Wooster and her grasp’s diploma from Smith School Faculty for Social Work, Linda went on to work at Northwestern and Lutheran Normal-Parkside Hospitals, the place she targeted on Worker Help Packages and high quality enchancment work. She transitioned to medical writing for Northwestern’s web site after which grew to become a content material strategist at Siren Interactive, specializing in uncommon ailments. She has been retired for 10 years.
Linda has loved worldwide journey since she was a teen, when she went to Japan for a highschool semester change program and later to India to review overseas in faculty. Nonetheless, neither of those experiences remotely in comparison with the expertise of an Alternative Perception Journey. Linda notes that, “There’s a large distinction between touring as a scholar, a vacationer, or an Alternative supporter.”
Linda has gone on two Insights Journeys, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. She spoke of how necessary these journeys have been to fulfill Alternative’s shoppers, in addition to members of the native workers and different donors. Each time she goes on an Perception Journey, she is impressed by Alternative’s respect for shoppers and dedication to offering them with the sources and abilities they should meet their objectives. “I’m so impressed by our shoppers and by Alternative’s dedication to strolling alongside them,” she says.
One of many features of Alternative Worldwide that resonates with Linda is the dedication to serving ladies. She has been particularly impressed with the Belief Teams mannequin that not solely provides ladies entry to cash, but in addition creates a neighborhood and a caring help community. “Ladies use their loans and coaching to construct their companies, then use the earnings to coach their youngsters, present for his or her households, and influence their neighborhood,” she says.
Linda has dedicated herself absolutely to Alternative’s mission. She has raised consciousness by serving to host native occasions and introducing new individuals to the group—simply as she was launched 30 years in the past. She has leveraged her community by inviting Alternative’s Director of Philanthropy Heather Radzinski to talk at her church for his or her “Minute for a Mission” initiative. And at last, Linda even labored with the headquarters workers in Chicago on analysis and advertising and marketing initiatives.
“Everybody is devoted, passionate, and considerate,” Linda describes the Alternative workers. We might say the identical of Linda. Thanks for being a vocal and constant advocate for Alternative!
