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Paralyzed Veterans of America CA

For 75 years, Paralyzed Veterans of America has been on a mission to change lives and build brighter futures for our seriously injured heroes—to empower these brave men and women with what they need to achieve the things they fought for: freedom and independence.

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Martha Varela

Executive Director

Martha is an educator, community advocate and an entrepreneur who has a passion for social justice and human rights.  Originally from Zacatecas Mexico, Martha has focused more than twenty years of her non-profit work experience in the inner-city communities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota and Los Angeles, CA.

Martha has developed and managed various leadership development programs, academic and career enrichment programs and health and life-skill development programs. Martha is also a youth basketball coach and has coached for the Minnesota State High School League, Parks & Recreation, Boys & Girls Club and her local Booster Athletic Club.  Martha also has an extensive network of community resources and tirelessly advocates for the basic needs of others including military veterans. 

Martha received her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota, where she independently designed, an interdepartmental Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work, Youth Studies, and Multicultural Studies. Martha was very active in her university community where she worked for the Office of Multicultural and Academic Affairs, the President’s Chicano Latino Advisory Board, the Chicano Latino Learning Resource Center’s El Puente Mentor Program, Student Parent Help Center, and the Minnesota Women’s Center.

Martha is a recent graduate of the prestigious National Urban Fellows program, where she received her Masters of Public Administration from The City University New York – Baruch College – Austin Marxe School of Public and International Affairs in New York City. She was selected to do her internship at The California Endowment in Los Angeles, CA.

Martha has worked for various nonprofits including: The Obama Foundation, LA Family Housing, Volunteers of America, The National Veterans Foundation, Catholic Charities, Boys & Girls Club, and Head Start to name a few.  Martha also owns her own small online business, Martha’s Closet.  She was also a member of the United States Army, where she received an honorable discharge for her ten years of service with the Minnesota Army National Guard as a combat medic. She is extremely excited and honored to be here with the PVA – California Chapter as the new Executive Director. 

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