Working your hardest to serve and support your community can take commitment and patience. Ferdinand Alvarez knows this all too well. As a Portage City Council At-Large member, Alvarez has dedicated his time and efforts into making his beloved city a better place in more ways than one.
“As an at-large member, I represent the entire city and its values,” Alvarez said. “It’s an honor to serve this city in this capacity.”
Alvarez saw this as an opportunity to use his expertise for the benefit of the city of Portage, and he felt he could contribute to improving its quality of life. He was elected to the City Council in November 2019. His responsibilities include attending various meetings and working with the City Council budget committee and licensing and registration committee.
“It makes me feel great knowing that I can impact so many people in the community and potentially make their lives better,” he said.
Alvarez graduated from Valparaiso University Law School and attained his master’s degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University Northwest and undergraduate degrees in History and Political Science from Purdue University Northwest. He said his academic background has always been geared toward public service, and that his experience in different communities in the Region when he was young helped shape his future goals.
“I’ve known since I was relatively young that I wanted to serve others,” Alvarez said. “I decided to attend law school because I already had a familiarity with the court system and saw it as an avenue to improve the city’s overall quality of life.”
In addition to serving on the city council, Alvarez also serves on the board of directors for the Portage Township Family YMCA as the secretary of the board. He got involved with this organization in 2018 because he was interested in the work they do, such as sponsoring events, offering meals, and providing assistance to those in need.
He has also been a member of the Portage Park Board since 2016. They are responsible for the maintenance and operation of parks within Portage Township including South Haven and Ogden Dunes.
“I joined these organizations because I have a strong desire to give back to the community,” Alvarez said. “When these opportunities presented themselves to me, I quickly jumped on in hopes to contribute my efforts.”
Alvarez is making time to help distribute food and supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic through a partnership with Portage Township schools and delivering Meals on Wheels to senior citizens. In addition, he is studying diligently for the Indiana BAR exam.
“I’m excited for what the future holds both for me and for the community of Portage,” he said. “Life is all about steps. And when you take that first step, the possibilities are endless.”