My name is José Álvarez. I’ve always loved soccer — ever since I was a kid growing up in Mexico. It was what made me happiest, and in many ways, it still is. That’s why, about twenty years ago, I decided to start The Neighborhood League here in South Bend.

At the beginning, I just wanted to create a place where Latino kids could play and feel included. So I thought: let’s build our own field, our own space. Now the league has grown into something beautiful. There are kids from all over, and the park has become a place where families come together every weekend. I love seeing the kids run, play, and laugh. Sometimes I play too. I end up tired, but it’s the kind of tired that feels good — the kind that reminds you you’re doing something right.

What means the most to me is the way people show their appreciation. A smile, a thank you, a wave from across the park — those small things are everything.

After all these years, I’ve realized this isn’t just about soccer. It’s about giving kids a place to belong, about building something together, and about feeling part of a community that cares.