For over two decades, one dedicated VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) volunteer has been making a profound impact in the lives of thousands. Lio Alvarez began his journey with a simple newspaper ad in the Ventura County Star. His journey started 24 years ago when his wife spotted an ad in the Ventura County Star seeking volunteers to help military personnel with their taxes. She turned to him and said, “You should do this.” And that simple suggestion launched a lifelong commitment to service. For the next 24 years, Lio would find himself volunteering for VITA, discovering the greater need of underserved, low-income families who lacked assistance and financial guidance. The firsthand struggles he saw families facing inspired Lio to advocate for the community.
With a professional background that includes roles as an investment banker, financial advisor, and bank manager, Lio's expertise in finance has proven invaluable. With an MBA in finance and an undergraduate degree in human resources, he has amassed over 40 years of leadership and management experience. However, Lio finds that it is not the degree that makes a great volunteer; it is the heart.
“Even if I were a history teacher, I’d still volunteer with VITA,” he says. “You don’t need a background in finance or accounting. What you need is the willingness to help.” By opening his eyes to the broader struggles that people face, he has grown a sense of empathy and reinforced the importance of financial literacy, a subject that is rarely taught but crucial to lifelong stability.
Becoming a champion for volunteerism, he encourages friends, families, and students to get involved. “Volunteering is a skill,” he says. Lio has brought in students from Oxnard College and even helped grow the program through his extensive connections at Moorpark College. His motivation is simple: to make a difference. “Volunteering changes lives—yours and theirs,” he says. For him, the reward is seeing the relief on a client’s face and knowing he helped someone through a stressful process with care and compassion.
Lio’s impact has allowed clients to navigate the tax world, which is often intimidating, nerve-wracking, stressful, and intensive. However, he focuses on reassuring clients, educating them about the process, and making them feel seen and supported. Clients find themselves returning year after year because of the trust they have built with Lio and his care and knowledge. Whether someone is receiving a refund or owes money, he makes sure they leave with understanding and peace of mind.
He lives by a simple philosophy: “Every day is a good day—try living without one,” and “I don’t have problems, only solutions,” a quote from John Lennon’s Double Fantasy album. These words shape his approach to service: optimistic, resilient, and solutions-focused. His dedication is about more than tax forms—it’s about creating a ripple effect of support, guidance, and education throughout the community.
