Each year Latin Times Magazine sponsors the prestigious Latino/Latina Lideres Awards to honor outstanding men and women from the Hispanic community in select Florida cities. Awards are bestowed in the categories of: Business, Community, Education, Health Care, Student, Media, Entrepreneur, and Entertainment.
This year, Tampa-based non-profit leader, Sylvia Alvarez was chosen for the recognition.
Sylvia Alvarez is the founder and Executive Director of the Housing and Education Alliance (HEA), a HUD-approved housing counseling agency serving over 50,000 Tampa Bay area residents since 2002. She co-authored a book entitled The American Nightmare: Strategies for Preventing, Surviving and Overcoming Foreclosure” – endorsed by Freddie Mac and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, translated into Spanish, and used by consumers and HUD housing counselors throughout the country. She also co-wrote and produced the award-winning online homebuyer education platform, HomeTRACK Online and HomeTRACK en Español. Studies completed after the housing crisis proved that those who took this type of course were 35% less likely to become a victim of foreclosure.
She is a motivational speaker and appears regularly on local and national English and Spanish media regarding housing issues. Through her leadership her agency has received national recognition and many awards including the coveted “PBS-WEDU Non Profit of the Year Award” for their work during the crisis providing over 14,000 Tampa Bay families free foreclosure prevention services.
Sylvia is an appointee to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Advisory Board in Washington, DC, who has returned over $14 billion dollars to consumers who were put at risk by financial institutions. She served under two administrations. She also sits on JP Morgan Chase’s Advisory Board, UnidosUS Housing Advisory Board, HOPE NOW board in DC, Lakeview Capital Advisory Board and the Board at her church, Unity of Clearwater.
Sylvia was recently certified as an Expert Witness in the courts in regards to FHA Foreclosure filings making sure lenders are following the rules and offering distressed homeowners all the options available to them under FHA Guidelines.
Her career highlights also include participation in the FBI Citizen’s Academy at Quantico and clinching the runner-up position in Dancing with the Stars. She was invited to the White House 6 times to advise on housing issues during the crisis. “I was also invited to a Cinco De Mayo Party in the White House Rose Garden,” she says, “It was fabulous and a magical event. I was even invited to the Inauguration and Inaugural Ball for President Obama’s second term.”
Sylvia works tirelessly on behalf of hard – working families and their housing issues, saying, “I am the daughter of immigrants who came to the US when I was one year old. I always remember my parents working very hard. They worked several jobs when they had the opportunity. By the time I was nine they had saved up enough to buy a home and not knowing the language, I became the translator for them between the banker, builder, and realtor. Seeing their joy at becoming homeowners I think struck a nerve that I carried into adulthood. I feel it is my responsibility to do all that I can to keep the American Dream of homeownership alive.”
Asked why she thought she had been selected for the Latina Lideres honor, Sylvia replied, “I believe the reason might be because of the positive impact I and my agency have made on the residents of Tampa Bay and beyond. All of our services are provided in English and Spanish. Since 2002, we have provided more than 500,000 hours of homebuyer education to over 51,000 families. Many have purchased that first home either with or without down payment assistance, improved their credit scores, set up budgets, and stuck to a savings plan.”
Looking to the future, Sylvia shares her passionate optimism, “Immigrants are the backbone of, and what built, the foundation of this country. We cannot and will not allow this country to fall into chaos and disruption. Yes, these can be troubling times and we need to get back to some semblance of respect for each other and civility. What is right always wins in the end. Everything will be alright in the end.”
Awards will be presented at the 4th Annual FORD Taste of Latino Festival in Ybor City on Sunday, October 16 from Noon – 6 pm. The event showcases Latin food, art, and live music & dance. Guests can choose dishes from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, Spain, Peru, Venezuela and more. There will be prizes for the Best Sangria, the Top Latino Chef, and The Cerveza Showdown. Information and tickets are available at www.TasteOfLatino.com
