 
Mel Martinez |
of volunteerism in the U.S.
When President George W. Bush announced Mel Martinez as his nominee for U.S. secretary for Housing and Urban Development (HUD), he described the former Cuban refugee as "the embodient of the American dream."
Speaking at Yale as a Chubb Fellow on April 14, Martinez said that one of his chief goals as the nation's 12th HUD secretary is to ensure that others have some of the same opportunities that he had to achieve that dream for themselves.
For many, Martinez commented, the American dream is equated with having their own home. For some, the path toward the realization of that dream begins with the generosity and support of others who are commited to public service.
In his own case, the HUD secretary told those gathered in Luce Hall for his speech, his new start in America was made possible by a faith-based organization that helped him flee Cuba and by two American families that welcomed him into their homes.
At the age of 15, Martinez left his family behind in Cuba and fled to America as part of a Catholic humanitarian effort in 1962. Alone and unable to speak English, he was placed temporarily in two youth camps until a foster family took him into their own home, where, he recalled, "they loved me like I was one of their own."
That family's desire to do good for others, said Martinez, is the kind of simple but big-hearted gesture that is the essence of American volunteerism.
HUD -- the federal agency that creates opportunities for homeownership, oversees the nation's public housing and provides housing assistance for low-income individuals -- relies in part on the volunteer service efforts of Americans to achieve its goals, said Martinez. HUD also works with local communities on economic and urban development issues and assists homeless populations, he noted.
"People who do public service intersect with HUD in many ways," he said. "We rely on community partners and community volunteers for so many of our programs. We have the largesse of the federal bureacracy but we have to partner and harness energy from the local community."
He cited the work of such groups as Habitat for Humanity -- a national organization of volunteers who build and refurbish homes for low-income families -- as helpers in HUD's efforts. In accordance with Bush's plan to make federal money available to faith-motivated community service programs, he said, HUD is now "more active than ever in actively seeking partnerships with faith-based organizations" on issues of urban development and housing, adding that these organizations can "bring a compassionate and personal touch that the government, quite frankly, can't ever quite give."
One example, he said, is the Sisters of Charity religious group, which is addressing a range of problems in the colonias, or temporary settlements, in U.S. states along the Mexican border where there is inadequate low-income housing. "These volunteers are determined to tranform these people's lives," Martinez commented, adding that he has begun to focus HUD attention on these poor settlements, which he believes have been neglected too long by the federal government. He also praised the efforts of volunteers in Father Joe's Village in San Diego, where in addition to obtaining shelter and food, the homeless can also receive such services as basic dental care and counseling.
Martinez said faith-based organizations will also play an active role in reducing chronic homelessness in America, which he noted is a top priority for HUD.
"Last summer, as I was looking at our budget, I discovered that we spent about $1 billion a year for 10 years on the issue of homelessness, but the numbers of homeless people in the country has been pretty much constant," stated Martinez. "My hope and dream is that we can end chronic homelessness in the next 10 years."
To help with this goal, Martinez said, he reactivated the Interagency Council of Homelessness, which will coordinate the efforts of HUD, Health and Human Services and other federal agencies concerned with this issue. This comprehensive approach is imperative, he noted, because many homeless people typically have other problems, such as mental illness or drug and alcohol addictions.
During his talk, the HUD secretary reiterated Bush's call, following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, for all Americans to devote some of their time to public or community service, and he echoed the President's contention that "we can fight evil by doing good."
"I call on you today to a life of service," he told his audience. "There ought to never be a time of your life when service and serving others is not a part of what you do." In fact, Martinez and other HUD staff members are currently helping in a Habitat for Humanity effort to refurbish a Washington, D.C., home for a single mother and her two daughters.
"I felt that if we're talking about housing all the time, we ought to be doing something about it in a tangible way," Martinez commented.
Describing America as "a land of freedom and opportunity" which has always welcomed and still beckons immigrants, Martinez said that the "openness, freedom, freedom of religion and striving for equality" are qualities which define the United States.
Throughout American history, the HUD secretary noted, people from all over the world have come to America and formed neighborhoods and communities together.
"Communities prosper because people care about their neighbors, they care about the people next door," he continued. "This country is unique in the strength and depth of its civil society. That is what came to the fore as a result of the attacks. The civil society came forward and stepped up in a way that I think is remarkable. We have people dedicated to a life of service."
-- By Susan Gonzalez
T H I S
Bulletin Home
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Emerging leaders from 18 nations coming to Yale as first World Fellows
World Fellows diverse in nationality and experience
Alumnus' gift funds visiting chair in economics
Yale opens center for student groups
Wanted: Your views about the YB&C
Journalists decry globalization's effect on Latin America
HUD Secretary hails spirit of volunteerism in the U.S.
Streets is reappointed as chaplain and is named acting master of Trumbull College
ALUMNI NEWSFree speech bazaar will highlight AYA assembly
Alumni to be honored for their service to the University
Students to work with community service groups via AYA Summer Fellowships
Research on genes upholds Darwin's theories, says Moore
With the eye of an engineer, scientist tackles problems of medicine
Exhibit explores transformations in American life
Communiversity Day 2002
Nobel laureate to present Farr Lecture at event showcasing student research
SCHOOL OF NURSING NEWSPermanent exhibit and renamed room honor . . . Arnstein
Family nurse practitioner is lauded for her care
Nursing students will trek a Vermont mountain trail to raise funds . . .
Dr. Pruett is honored for his dedication to mental health services for children
In this year's 'showdown,' robots will demolish and build
Divinity School partners with Lutheran seminaries
Threats to nation's computer systems to be examined
Conference to explore relationship between 'apocalypse and violence'
Texas Rangers are subject of historian's talk
Juniors honored for their college spirit, contributions and talent
Ten scientists win NARSAD research grants
Edwin D. Mullen, long-time manager of purchasing, dies
Center marks retirement of noted child psychologist
Student musicians will perform works by Brahms in two May concerts
May Day concert to feature program of German music
Celebrating Earth Day
|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News|Bulletin Board
Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page