Donielle Martin

State: Indiana

Donielle Martin, MBA, CPC, CRC, played a pivotal role in advocating for youth rights and influencing legislative change through her involvement in House Bill 1359, also known as “Juvenile Law Matters.” She was appointed as the chair of the advisor committee, tasked with collaborating with Indiana legislators over a nine-month period. The primary objective was to support youth throughout Indiana in sharing their lived experiences, particularly those related to detention in juvenile facilities. Ultimately, the recommendations put forth by Donielle, Voices Corp., advisor committee and the youth were approved in House Bill 1359, marking a significant milestone in juvenile law reform.

Donielle Martin organized a significant event aimed at addressing the pressing issue of gun violence. Facilitated a roundtable discussion in collaboration with at risk youth to gather insights and feedback from the young individuals affected by gun violence. Donielle Martin received a nomination for the “Serve Indiana Awards for Excellence.” These awards celebrate individuals in Indiana communities who demonstrate exceptional servant leadership and make significant contributions to their communities. Donielle is one of the advisor committee members for the Indiana Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). In this role, she will advocate for demonstrating that the reduction in the use of secure detention can be accomplished in ways that maintain and often enhance public safety, aiming to eliminate inappropriate or unnecessary use of secure detention, reduce failures to appear and re-offense pending disposition, and redirect public funds to effective juvenile justice and public safety strategies.

Donielle Martin is the CEO & Founder of One Life @ A Time, INC, and her profound commitment and lived experiences as she watched her son go to prison at the age of 18 and the lasting effects on his life while being incarcerated, makes her a formidable advocate for social justice. The inspiration behind One Life @ A Time was inspired by the CEO & Founder’s son, Terry. In 2019, he created One Life @ A Time, a mentoring program while incarcerated, in hopes the program would reach many, to give back to society. Our mission is to inspire and empower youth and families to embrace their authentic selves We achieve this by providing opportunities, such as but not limited to hands-on experiences , fostering self-expression, healing, creativity, and understanding the importance of discipline. Through promoting community involvement, we aim to help individuals uncover their truth and thrive despite societal stigmas. Together, we will change the narrative One Life @ A Time.