Cristina Martinez
Born to immigrant parents, Cristina Martinez was raised in the barrio where encounters with police, social workers, and probation officers were a frequent occurrence. Earning both an academic state and an athletic scholarship allowed her to pursue a B.A. degree in Psychology, and after receiving a state regent's scholarship, she went on to attain a master's in Counseling. Achieving her ultimate goal to change the circumstances she grew up in, she served as a Juvenile Probation Officer for 33...See more
Born to immigrant parents, Cristina Martinez was raised in the barrio where encounters with police, social workers, and probation officers were a frequent occurrence. Earning both an academic state and an athletic scholarship allowed her to pursue a B.A. degree in Psychology, and after receiving a state regent's scholarship, she went on to attain a master's in Counseling. Achieving her ultimate goal to change the circumstances she grew up in, she served as a Juvenile Probation Officer for 33 years as well as a family therapist, and became a strong advocate for her clients. Now retired, Martinez, a self-professed "gym rat," is the author Dysfunctional Poker: Juvenile Probation and Other Games of Chance, and a sought-after speaker for professional conferences, civic groups, and Hispanic organizations. She and her husband live in a lake community with their five dogs, have an active church life, and support many charitable organizations that benefit disenfranchised families and animals. See less
Cristina Martinez's Featured Books