THE STAFF
Our experienced team is made up of our founding directors, Nick Palermo and Lydia Martinez We coordinate with a team of volunteers to realize our mission
NICK PALERMO
Nick is a minister, author, and sought after speaker for conferences and camps around the world. With a deep understanding and compassion for the needs of teens, his life’s passion has been to share the unconditional love of Jesus and to build lifelong relationships. He is the founder of Young Life Capernaum, a unique ministry to young people with disabilities. Under his direction, that ministry has spread to 340 locations around the world, reaching over 5000 kids in the US. He served on the Young Life staff for 34 years. He is currently the cofounder and co-director of Emmaus Inn Ministries. Nick has a BA in sociology from San Jose State University and a Masters in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is married to the love of his life, Sumarah, and they have three grown sons.
LYDIA MARTINEZ
Lydia has spent the past seventeen years bringing joy, friendship and compassion to young people with physical and mental disabilities through Young Life’s Capernaum ministries. She is currently cofounder and co-director of Emmaus Inn Ministries. Prior to that she served as a volunteer and counselor for Reaching Out food distribution at the Cathedral of Faith in San Jose for over three years. Her experience also includes being an independent business woman in the beauty industry. She ismarried to David Martinez and they have two grown children. Her son, David, has been volunteering as a dedicated leader for over 10 years.
NICK PALERMO
Nick is a minister, author, and sought after speaker for conferences and camps around the world. With a deep understanding and compassion for the needs of teens, his life’s passion has been to share the unconditional love of Jesus and to build lifelong relationships. He is the founder of Young Life Capernaum, a unique ministry to young people with disabilities. Under his direction, that ministry has spread to 340 locations around the world, reaching over 5000 kids in the US. He served on the Young Life staff for 34 years. He is currently the cofounder and co-director of Emmaus Inn Ministries. Nick has a BA in sociology from San Jose State University and a Masters in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is married to the love of his life, Sumarah, and they have three grown sons.
LYDIA MARTINEZ
Lydia has spent the past seventeen years bringing joy, friendship and compassion to young people with physical and mental disabilities through Young Life’s Capernaum ministries. She is currently cofounder and co-director of Emmaus Inn Ministries. Prior to that she served as a volunteer and counselor for Reaching Out food distribution at the Cathedral of Faith in San Jose for over three years. Her experience also includes being an independent business woman in the beauty industry. She ismarried to David Martinez and they have two grown children. Her son, David, has been volunteering as a dedicated leader for over 10 years.