Sarita Martinez, is a Health Care Navigator for the Health and Resource Navigation Team at the Ingham County Health Department. Cafecito Caliente along with our Title Sponsor Lake Trust Credit Union recognizes her for our Cafecito Unsung Hero Award for 2025.
When the Cafecito Awards were conceived, the mission of the Awards was to identify people that had not been recognized or celebrated. People that were heros to so many yet just one of the crowd in a room. They work with the underserved populations that most of us do not see daily, yet they might see them every hour and after they clock out. We have named this the Cafecito Unsung Hero Award.
Born and raised in Lansing, Michigan. Daughter of Jose & Eva Martinez, members and founders of The Seventh Day Adventist first ‘Spanish’ Church of Lansing. Her vacations were spent doing Missionary work in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. We used a letter written on Sarita’s behalf to describe her. In my personal lifetime, I have met so many that have gone above and beyond, sacrificed even their personal lives to help other people navigate life a little easier.
Sarita Maritnez is one of those rare individuals who leads with both her heart and her actions. She is highly motivated to help clients, understanding, and truly selfless in the way she approaches her work. She wears many hats serving the community with Health Care coverage, Food, Clothing, Shelter, education, and navigating through social security and secretary of state. Clients naturally gravitate toward Sarita because they sense her genuine care. In situations where clients feel vulnerable, Sarita makes all clients have a space of trust, and safety while navigating through their needs. Her actions and interactions with clients are a constant reminder of the power of kindness, patience and grace in our everyday interactions.
Cafecito Caliente is proud to recognize Sarita Martinez as our first Unsung Hero for the 2025 Cafecito Caliente Awards. Much thanks to Lake Trust Credit Union for supporting our Hispanic Latino community!
The Cafecito Awards will take place Friday, September 26, 2025, beginning at 5:00pm at the Cadillac Room. More details can be found at the Cafecito Caliente website.
Tickets: https://cafecitocaliente.com/store-2/2025-cafecito-awards/
