Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces alumni spotlight: Judge Jim T. Martin

You never know who in our community might have gotten their start as a Club kid. Meet Judge Jim T. Martin. As the Third Judicial District Court Judge for Doña Ana County, Judge Martin is well known in our community for his legal career that has spanned approximately 20 years.

However, not many people know that Judge Martin has a personal connection to the local Boys & Girls Club. In around 1975, Martin attended Court Jr. High. The school, which was located at the building we know today as Alma de Arte High School, was right around the corner from the current Club location.

With Judge Martin’s mother deciding to re-enter the workforce, and their home in the north valley too far away to leave him alone for long periods of time, his parents wanted to ensure he had a safe space to go until they were done with work.

Judge Martin remembers his time at the Club fondly. With lots of intramural basketball games and outside activities, he could always count on being outdoors when the weather was nice. He also remembers playing pool and board games with staff and even hanging out in the reading nook. 

“It gave us something to do other than stay home alone or walk the streets, which was important for our families,” said Martin.

He attended the Club for two years before heading to New Mexico Military Institute to attend high school. Judge Martin went on to attend New Mexico State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduation, he worked for a few years but felt like something was missing professionally.

“My dad and uncle were both attorneys, so on a lark, I took the LSAT and did well,” he said.

Not wanting to leave New Mexico, Judge Martin attended law school at the University of New Mexico and after graduation, made his way back to the Mesilla Valley to begin his career in law.

Fast forward to 2005 when Judge Martin found himself once again walking through the Club’s blue doors. At that time, the Club was in a difficult financial position, and with community support and confidence waning, he wanted to be part of helping find a solution. He was immediately asked to join the board of directors and finance committee.

“As a Club kid, I felt the need to help save the Club,” he said.

Helping to steady the ship, Judge Martin served two board terms and was part of the team who helped the organization’s doors stay open to serve Club kids and teens.

Additionally, during this time, Judge Martin also earned the title of Club parent when his son, Zach, enrolled as a member of the Boys & Girls Club.

“I wanted Zach to have this opportunity because I realized what a good experience it was for local kids,” said Judge Martin. “The staff called Zach the mayor of the Boys & Girls Club because he suddenly gained this newfound confidence and expanded his social network. The Club helped to give him empathy and help other members, and the longer he was there, the more other kids looked up to him. He also had the opportunity to give back to the community through service projects like dog walking at the local shelter.”

Now as an emeritus board member, Judge Martin remains involved by supporting the Club’s breakfast fundraisers and working with the capital campaign team on feasibility studies to help find a new home for the Boys & Girls Club.

“The new facility will give kids the opportunity to participate in activities they have been unable to do,” he said. “Imagine still being able to play sports when the weather is bad, or, especially with arts cuts in schools, to have a dedicated space to create art.”

He also shared the value of the Club for the community.

“The Club is so critical to our young people. We want our kids and teens to have a safe place to go and positive reinforcement so incidents like the Young Park tragedy don’t happen again.”

When we asked Judge Martin what he would say to parents interested in sending their child to the Club, he shared, “It is a great place for young adults because they are going to be exposed to more opportunities than they get in school. Aside from the sports, art programs, and tutoring, they also are surrounded by positive role models and learn how to be a member of a community.”

To learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces and their Building Great Futures Capital Campaign, visit www.bgclascruces.org or call (575) 526-1519.