THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 23, 2023 ~ Political Announcement ~ Page 13 Discover the Inspiration Behind My Campaign to Lead Malden M ALDEN, MA — I am running for Mayor of Malden, and my dad’s phenomenal story is the reason I can. His story is the working class American dream most of us have seen in movies and know from our own families. Born into a very large (and poor) family in Guatemala, my father, Victor Alvarado left home at 18 with a suitcase and dreams to meet his brother who was already married and settled in Chicago. Dad met and married my Puerto Rican mom, had my sister and myself, moved to a 2nd fl oor apartment in a town called Cicero, IL, and worked in the local Western Electric Factory. Cicero has a colorful past (to say the least), but its level of diversity and mix of people have always been equal to Malden. Cicero grew around the Western Electric factory with Irish, Italians, Czechs, Slovaks, and Polish families all drawn to the town for its jobs. Later the town shifted demographics towards predominantly Mexican-American, Italian, Polish and Czech residents. My dad learned English at night, had my mom and us translate as needed, earned his real estate license when we were kids, and became an American citizen in the 1980s. He sold homes to the growing Latino community in Cicero (and nearby Berwyn). His name became known as a trusted ally and resource in the area, and he eventually opened his own offi ce - Home Sweet Home Real Estate. My dad loved our family, but he LOVED that business! It was the physical embodiment of all of his hard work, plus it continued to take care of our family. Both of my parents worked our entire lives. He would gauge how many houses he would need to sell in order to pay for the semester’s college tuition, Victor Alvarado, 18 years old, passport photo from when he came to the United States in 1964 healed, he was up and about living his life to the fullest again. Cruising, working, and spending time with my mom and grandkids were his favorite pastimes. He truly lived a full life. My dad passed away in December 2019 right before COVID began. Victor Alvarado worked, lived, and embodied working class America and the American dream. He came here, rocked this life, and left us all better off for having been a part of his. He made sure my sister and I could go to college, have good jobs plus happy families of our own, and follow our dreams. Dad, your story is the reason Victor Alvarado, 2017 Victor Alvarado who is currently running for Mayor of Malden, and his daughter, Lissette. or to buy a new used car, and eventually a new home in a new town. He managed money like a boss and made sure we could all go on vacations when we were kids. We were not born with silver spoons in our mouths. We were born with a work ethic that said: you get what you give, and give nothing less than110%. In 2005, my dad was diagnosed with a lung disease called Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and had a single lung transplant that same year. IPF is just like COVID but can take years to develop. Once he was why I was able to go to college, work for Barack Obama in the U.S Senate and White House, and reach my dreams. I’m running for Mayor of Malden now, and I know that you would be so proud. Your hard work and perseverance made sure that I had the training and government experience necessary to take this next step. The American Dream continues. Thank you, Dad. CONNIE GUERRIERO, ESQUIRE Law offices of Howard M. Kahalas 6 Beacon Street, Suite 1020 Boston, MA 02108 Cell: (781) 405-5053 Office: (617) 523-1155 Email: cguerriero@kahalaslaw.com Our firm Specializes in Personal Injury, Workers Compensation & Criminal Defense. We have over 80 years of Combined Experience Victor Alvarado (far right) with his sibling In Guatemala City, Guatemala in the 1950s (Photos courtesy of Lissette Alvarado) Motor Vehicle Accidents Slip and Falls Premises Liability Dog Bites Injured on the Job
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