The Mission
Housing Mission: Bridging the Care Gap
“We are moving from asking for a seat at the table to building the table ourselves. No one should have to choose between a life-saving surgery and a place to sleep.” — Holly Martinez
Voices For The Rare is dedicated to a singular, life-sustaining goal: Medical-Integrated Housing Development. We are not just advocates; we are builders. We recognize that for the medically fragile, “affordable housing” is insufficient if it is miles away from the specialists required to keep them alive. Our mission is to dismantle the “hamster wheel” of displacement.
The Core Pillars
The “Bridge to Care” Strategy
| Column 1: THE BUILD | Column 2: THE LOCATION | Column 3: THE POLICY |
| Dignity by Design | Strategic Proximity | Systemic Advocacy |
| Exceeding ADA standards to build homes that actually fit complex medical equipment and mobility needs. | Developing exclusively within 10 miles of Tier-1 medical centers to eliminate the “Care Gap.” | Disrupting state “red tape” to ensure federal housing funds reach all disabled Arizonans. |
Strategic Housing Objectives
Economic Accountability: Using data to prove that “Housing as Healthcare” reduces state costs and improves patient outcomes.
CHDO Certification: Operating as a Community Housing Development Organization to partner directly with the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH).
HUD 811 PRA Expansion: Aggressively pushing for the inclusion of rare and physically disabled individuals within the Section 811 framework.
Blueprint for Stability: Developing models near Tier-1 medical centers to prevent medical bankruptcy and homelessness.
Holly Martinez, Founder & Project Lead, Voices For The Rare
I am currently building the future of inclusive housing from a hospital bed. Following a major jaw reconstruction and living as a nonverbal patient, I have experienced firsthand the terrifying ‘Care Gap’ that exists when medical infrastructure is disconnected from residential stability.
I founded Voices For The Rare because the ‘red tape’ shouldn’t be deadlier than the diagnosis. My journey as a rare disease survivor in San Tan Valley has moved me to disrupt the status quo—moving us past outdated ‘stapled lists’ of housing and toward a world where ‘Dignity by Design’ is the standard, not the exception. We aren’t just asking for a place to live; we are building the infrastructure to thrive.
Holly Martinez is a vocal advocate for data-driven policy change. Under her leadership, Voices For The Rare is transitioning into a housing developer to ensure all ALTCS-enrolled individuals have access to life-sustaining housing.
Advocacy & Collaboration: Holly is available for speaking engagements at medical institutions, community forums, and policy summits to discuss health equity and the “Rare Gap.”
Visit Holly’s Journey Blog:
https://www.hollysrarediseasejourney.com/
Note: Views expressed on the blog are personal and reflect Holly’s lived experience.
Deonté Martinez, Vice President
Voices For The Rare
Deonté serves as the Vice President of Voices For The Rare, supporting the organization’s mission to advance awareness, access, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by rare disease.
Through hands-on experience as a caregiver for his mother, Holly, Deonté has assisted in navigating complex healthcare systems, working with case managers, and supporting her transition into life with a disability. This lived experience brings meaningful perspective to organizational governance, strategic planning, and patient-centered decision-making.
Deonté is deeply committed to collaboration, transparency, and patient empowerment. Having witnessed individuals being dismissed or mistreated due to medical conditions beyond their control, he believes the rare disease community deserves a fresh, compassionate approach one that ensures people are not only heard, but supported in a safe and inclusive environment where they can grow, heal, and thrive.
Marilyn Martinez, Advocacy Partner & Partner Liason
Marilyn Martinez joins Voices For The Rare following a successful career at pSemi, a Murata Company. Now happily retired and relocated from California to Arizona, Marilyn has traded the corporate world for a mission much closer to home.
As a mother of four and grandmother of four, Marilyn’s dedication to advocacy was sparked when her eldest daughter, Holly, was misdiagnosed with oral cancer. This life-changing event brought the family back to Arizona, where Marilyn saw firsthand the immense bureaucracy involved in navigating healthcare and government benefits.
Marilyn is proud to stand alongside her daughter in this nonprofit work, bringing her experience in coordination and her heart for family to the fight for systemic change. She believes that while the healthcare system is complex, we are always Stronger Together.
Tony Martinez, Director
Tony Martinez serves as a Director of Voices For The Rare, providing oversight and stewardship to ensure responsible, ethical management of organizational resources in alignment with the organization’s mission and values.
With more than 30 years of experience in management and leadership, Tony brings a strong commitment to accountability, transparency, and long-term sustainability. His background supports sound governance practices and helps ensure donor trust through responsible stewardship of funds.
As a retired professional and lifelong sports fan, Tony values teamwork, resilience, and perseverance—principles that guide his service to the organization. He is deeply committed to giving back to the community, particularly through advocacy and support for individuals experiencing homelessness, and believes strongly in dignity, compassion, and access to basic needs.
Tony has walked alongside the organization’s Founder throughout her medical journey, including periods of misdiagnosis and ongoing advocacy related to rare disease, oral cancer awareness, and access to speech therapy and supportive care. This lived experience strengthens his dedication to ensuring that no individual or family feels isolated while navigating complex and often overwhelming health challenges.
Tony is proud to support Voices For The Rare as a grassroots, community-rooted organization built on family, trust, and the belief that meaningful change begins with showing up for one another.
“Voices For The Rare: Empowering rare disease communities through ‘Bridge to Care’ housing and systemic advocacy.”