ALMA stands for Advocacy for Living in Mainstream America, a mission rooted in ensuring that individuals with disabilities are seen, supported, and given every opportunity to thrive.

ALMA was founded in 2006 by Pat Alvarez, a fierce and unwavering advocate who has spent decades fighting for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Her journey began when her son was born with Down syndrome—an experience that ignited a lifelong passion to ensure not only her son, but countless others like him, would have a voice, access, and representation.

Today, Pat continues to serve on ALMA’s committee, lending her invaluable expertise and advocacy to the mission she built.

In 2020, Pat made the courageous decision to pass the leadership of ALMA to me, ensuring the mission would not only continue—but grow.

For me, this work is deeply personal. As someone who has lived through adversity, including time spent in the juvenile system as a youth, I understands firsthand what it feels like to be overlooked, misunderstood, and underestimated.

With over 15 years of experience working with at-risk youth and youth on probation, I bring both lived experience and professional expertise—creating a bridge of trust that allows ALMA to connect with youth in a way few organizations can.

In 2025, ALMA expanded its vision to create real, tangible pathways for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive—not just in school, but throughout their entire lives.

ALMA is currently in a powerful phase of growth as we build and expand our programs from the ground up to better serve youth with disabilities and their families. Every donation made today goes directly toward developing these programs, creating opportunities, and establishing the strong foundation needed for long-term impact.

Our official program launch is planned for Summer 2027, and we invite you to be part of this journey from the very beginning. As we grow, we’ll be sharing updates, milestones, and stories through our blog—so we encourage you to check back regularly and witness the impact you’re helping create in real time.

Thank you,

Patricia Ramirez

Executive Director of ALMA of Austin