Meet Felix Santana, Our Guiding Light Award Honoree

Felix Santana is the Broker of Record at JJ Elek Realty Co., a full-service real estate brokerage that has served Perth Amboy and Central New Jersey for 56 years, where Felix has spent the last 9 years building on that legacy. Felix's connection the YMCA dates back to when he was a child growing up in Perth Amboy, where he felt like the Y was his home away from home — a safe place to go after school that help him off the streets and out of trouble, surrounded by staff members and structure at a time when he needed it most. That experience shaped who he became: A bilingual community leader who believes everyone deserves access, opportunity, and a place to belong.

Today, Felix channels that belief back into Middlesex County through an annual real estate gala, yearly golf fundraiser, holiday toy drives, chamber of commerce involvement, and Yankees ticket donations for local families. A husband and father, he brings the same values home that he brings to every cause he supports. He believes that giving people the same foundation the YMCA once gave him is key to setting people up for success in the battle against homelessness.

We are proud to honor Felix at our 10th Annual Ending Homelessness Dinner for his leadership and dedication to building pathways toward a better community.