Gilma Merino

I came here as a single mom from a domestic violence situation with a four-year-old. Mr. Jim saw something in me that others didn’t. That I was a good fundraiser and that it was a passion for me. I saw how he advocated for what he believed in. He was thinking about our fellow neighbors and fighting for them.  

I thought: I want to be like Mr. Jim. I want to advocate for my fellow neighbors, fellow single mothers who need to know they’re not alone.

He has been a mentor for me. I’ll never forget when we were presenting testimony in front of then-councilmember Marion Barry. Mr. Jim told me: “Speak from your heart. I’m always here for you if you need me.” I remember thinking, “If he thinks I can do it, I can do it.” Mr. Jim taught me how to overcome my fear when speaking in public, and helped me become the person I am today. 

He also really cares about the children in our community. I remember when it was Jubilee Work Day, he would take my son Gabriel with him. Gabriel would wear his little construction worker costume, with the hat and hammer. He would get so excited about going to spend a day working with Mr. Jim. That was so important for Gabriel, to have someone like that, a friend, a parent figure, someone to have that connection and that communication with. It made a difference. 

I remember telling him that I had a dream for my daughter, Crystal, to make it to college. And that’s when Jubilee to College started. My daughter was one of the first two kids in the Jubilee to College scholarship program and she went and graduated from college! Every time I need him, he’s there. He always tells me that I’ve done plenty for Jubilee too, but that’s because he’s shown me that whatever we get from the community, we must give back.