Jeremías M. Alvarez, ’01:
Networking in D.C.

When asked why he decided to take over the recently formed alumni chapter in Washington, D.C., Jeremías M. Alvarez, ’01, doesn’t hesitate: “I thought it would help me stay connected to St. Edward’s,” he says. “We have nearly 200 alumni in the D.C. area, so it’s also a great way to network. D.C. is a very diverse city with a lot of young professionals. Networking is really part of
the culture.”

Combining Fun Events with Service
Currently, the chapter holds three to four networking and social events throughout the year, as well as an annual community service event in October to celebrate Founder’s Day. Past events have helped Food and Friends, an organization that provides meals and groceries to people living with life-challenging illnesses such as AIDS and cancer. This year on Founder’s Day, D.C. alumni rolled up their sleeves for SOME (So Others Might Eat), a community-based project dedicated to helping the poor and homeless of our nation's capital.

“Community service is ingrained in you after attending St. Edward’s,” says Jeremías. “I have a job in public service, but I continue to volunteer because it motivates me and connects me to the community.”

The desire to help others has long been a driving force behind Jeremías’s long list of successes. As a former CAMP student at St. Edward’s and the first in his family to graduate college, he knows firsthand that a supportive community can change lives.

“Details matter,” he says. “A mentor in my fifth-grade class mattered. I came from a family who depended on food stamps and ultimately began working as a social science analyst for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It’s pretty incredible when you think about it.”

You can stay connected to St. Edward’s and make a difference, too. Get involved with your local chapter today.

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