Having been born and raised in the Historical City of Paterson, New Jersey Mr. Alvarez has always been an avid student of History and Community. The City of Paterson has always given him a window into the past unlike any other experience he can recall. From an early age he became a student of life and those around him, seeing that there were battles to be fought and many in need of help. His family was one of very modest means and both his parents worked two and sometimes three jobs to maintain the household. The third child of four children Hector was accustomed to the hand me downs and the lower end attire that he was dressed in but those days that was the norm so it never bothered him. To realize that the little he had was more than sufficient back then makes him wonder what has happened to the way children are brought up now that they argue and fight if they don’t get the latest “Jordans”.
Society has created a monster in an age that money is no longer running fluidly as it once did during the better economic times. As a child during the early 80′s another economic turmoil hit the U.S. during this time his family suffered many downturns and even went without food and light for a short period of time. This is something Hector has vowed will never happen to him and his family again and has even taken it upon himself to try and help others out of that same situation.
Hector has served at different capacities within many organizations that help provide services to those in need. Having served on the board of directors for the Hispanic Multi-Purpose Service Center and under Maria Magda’s tutelage he learned up close how much need their really was within his own community. A City that once was touted as the cradle of the industrial revolution in America has become a City that has been humbled by the drastic change in the economic landscape of the United States.
Through the experience he received at the Center he felt that so much more could be achieved if community partnerships were created within a for profit and non profit environment. He now develops properties, creates programs and provides services through out NJ working hand in hand with Non Profit organizations that have similar interests within their communities. A strong partnership with these organizations and a development company that was founded by Mr. Alvarez and his partner which encompasses various capital investors that are all within the same mindset of providing these needs while maintaining a good return on investment.
Financial literacy is the ability to understand finance. More specifically, it refers to the set of skills and knowledge that allows an individual to make informed and effective decisions through their understanding of finances.
