E.S.U. Police Officer Santos "Papo" Valentin, Jr. Way (Queens)
Present name:118th Street
Location:Between 89th Avenue and 91st Avenue
Honoree: Police Officer Santos Valentin, Jr. (b. 1961) was killed on September 11, 2001 during rescue operations following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
LL:2004/08

Maria Valentin Way (Manhattan)
Present name:None
Location:At the northeast corner of 184th Street and Audubon Avenue
Honoree: Maria Valentin (1928-2015) was born in the Dominican Republic. In 1962, she fled the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina. Ms. Valentin had been targeted to be killed for speaking against Trujillo’s cruelty towards children. Arriving in New York with only $5 in her pocket, she performed odd jobs until 1966 when she earned enough to move uptown to 184th Street. Her youngest daughter was born with Down Syndrome. She did not institutionalize her as was suggested at that time; instead she opened her home to other needy kids, including the children of the homeless, street workers, the mentally ill, and the drug addicted. They would be dropped off by their parents, and no questions were asked except for the child's name and birthdate. Every child that entered her home was fed, taken to school and given a place to sleep, if needed. She took it upon herself to keep or make their doctor’s appointments, ensure their religious instruction and see that they attended mass on Sundays. She often took children sight-seeing and on summer vacations, allowing many to experience places they would not otherwise. Most importantly, she made sure each child was cared for and loved unconditionally as if they were her own. She left behind 5 biological children, 12 grandchildren, 12 great-children, and over 100 "adopted children" and their offspring. ( Rodriguez)
LL:2017/45