Editor’s Note:  The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.

Jorge Islas Martinez could have been saving lives as a doctor in Mexico, but instead, he brought his extraordinary talents to the United States, where he saves lives both figuratively and literally.

In Whitewater, Jorge has transformed the lives of more than 2,500 people by teaching them English, empowering them to fully engage and thrive in our community. His heroic actions extend beyond the classroom; he once performed the Heimlich maneuver to save a woman choking in Illinois.

Jorge’s remarkable service has been recognized with numerous awards. He received the Citizen’s Award from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, which praised him for going “beyond the call of duty” to save a life. On behalf of the citizens of McHenry County, the Sheriff’s Office commended him for a “JOB WELL DONE.”

In Whitewater, Jorge earned the WUL Hometown Hero Award for his unwavering dedication to the Latino community. “Jorge Islas is a real hero in our community.  He has served the Latino community over most of his lifetime in this area and offers English classes not for profit, but out of a deep need to help the Latino community.”  For this selfless work and his broader contributions, he was recognized in the past as an Outstanding Community Member by the University Student Organization, Latinos Unidos.

In 2005, he was honored with the “50 Who Matter” award by the Janesville Gazette. Recently, he also received an accolade from Voces de La Frontera for his commitment to promoting education and civil rights.

Jorge is a beacon of hope in Whitewater, known for his tireless efforts to support immigrants who call this city home. Born in Mexico City, Jorge’s journey led him to Whitewater, where he has lived for 31 years. His dedication was further acknowledged when he was nominated in two categories at the Community Stars Gala: Community Champion and Difference Maker.

Jorge’s path to success was not without challenges. He crossed the U.S. border as an immigrant, facing numerous hardships from farming to landscaping. One of his first jobs was weeding an onion patch without any prior experience, and he humorously recalls pulling up the wrong plants. Despite initial struggles with unfamiliar equipment and being taken advantage of, Jorge’s experiences taught him the crucial importance of learning English to communicate effectively and advocate for himself.

“As an immigrant, I have learned to confront different challenges firsthand,” Jorge says. “I understand what it feels like to be here without legal status or knowing the language.”

Now a proud U.S. citizen, Jorge’s story serves as a testament to perseverance and success. He has worked as an interpreter for the Public Health Department of Walworth County, excelled at Arrow Financial Services in Whitewater, served as a court interpreter for McHenry County, and currently works for the Public Defender’s Office of Rock and Walworth counties.

Jorge firmly believes, “Every single human has a right to succeed, regardless of their legal status or language proficiency.” His passion for teaching English stems from a lifelong love for the language. As a child, he asked his father to take him to the airport not to see planes, but to hear people speaking different languages.

In addition to teaching ESL classes in Whitewater, Jorge serves as the Bilingual Liaison for the Whitewater Unified School District. Outside of work, he is dedicated to supporting families in need through the Immigrant Support Coalition, which he recently founded. The coalition meets monthly to ensure newcomers feel welcomed and to foster trust, respect, and effective communication.

Jorge reflects, “People immigrate to the U.S. for work, to earn money, and to support their families. My goal is to assist immigrants on their journey and help them achieve their dreams.”

Grateful for the opportunity to live in Whitewater, Jorge expresses, “I am blessed to know people who welcome me with open hearts and doors, allowing me to continue helping others.”

Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.