Martin, a 29-year-old Seaboard native, calls himself a dreamer and started mapping out what would be Project Lift when he was 16. “Project Lift became my dream. I wanted to position myself to be a mentor for other youth.”
He said the idea for Project Lift came when he sat and down and looked at his own life. “I had so much potential to reach people. I wrote a business plan. I didn't know it was Project Lift, but I knew what my mission was.”
(The March Madness 2K16 fundraiser will be from to 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 13 at Gaston Middle School. Doors open at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. There will be raffles and concessions as well. For more information contact Martin at 252-678-3803)
Currently a teacher assistant in Greensville County, he was also a former Boys & Girls Club director there. He has opted out becoming a full-time teacher, instead focusing his efforts on Project Lift to reach more children across the area.
Under the Project Lift umbrella are three programs — Band of Brothers, Who Am I and Lift Camp.
Band of Brothers, he said, has been effective in diffusing gang tensions which fueled fights at Northampton County High School.
Martin with the children during a camp.
The Band of Brothers meet every week and include those involved in the fighting. They set goals, worked with their so-called rivals to understand there are no rivals and no gangs — only accountability and responsibility.
Who Am I is open to boys and girls and is designed for each child to get to know who they are and where they are at in life. “Basically it's to understand what obstacles they want to overcome.”
Lift Camp, for children 6-18, explored social recreation and healthy lifestyles.
Another shot with the children.
The goal for this year's Lift Camp is to explore beyond the Roanoke Valley, taking the children on museum tours, skating trips and other educational and recreational field trips.
To expand Lift Camp this year Martin plans a basketball tournament fundraiser called March Madness 2K16, which will be held at the Gaston Middle School gym on March 13.
The game will feature Halifax County law enforcement playing Northampton County law enforcement.
There will also be a featured game for Northampton County East and West high schools alumni from 1999 to 2005.
The event will also give those running for office a chance to share their vision.
Another focal point of the evening will be the Band of Brothers, who will speak on what the program has meant to them.
In three years, Martin said, “I want to look back at the effectiveness and see them achieving their goals. If I can make that happen my mission is served.”
