Meet our ABLE Account Owners ABLE NRC Ambassadors

“For our family, ABLE represents more than a savings account. It gives us a way to plan for Emmanuel’s future while supporting his independence, financial security and quality of life.” 

Yomalis Alvarez is a mother, special needs advocate and community volunteer whose advocacy journey is deeply rooted in her most important role — being Emmanuel’s mom.

Emmanuel was diagnosed with autism in early childhood and, later, with epilepsy. These experiences have given Yomalis a firsthand understanding of how a family’s needs, concerns and planning can evolve throughout a child’s life and into adulthood.

As Emmanuel has grown into a young adult, Yomalis has become increasingly focused on helping him build a meaningful future with greater independence, opportunity and financial security. Like many families raising a child with a disability, she has learned firsthand how much planning can be involved in navigating adulthood, public benefits, services, employment opportunities and long-term needs.

Opening an ABLE account for Emmanuel became an important part of that planning. For Yomalis and her family, the account provides a dedicated way to save for Emmanuel’s present and future needs while helping protect access to important public benefits under applicable ABLE rules. ABLE funds can be used for qualified disability expenses that support health, independence and quality of life, including housing, transportation, education, health care, employment support, assistive technology and everyday living expenses. Earnings used for qualified disability expenses can also be withdrawn tax-free.

Beyond the financial benefits, Emmanuel’s ABLE account gives his family greater confidence as they plan for the years ahead. It represents a resource that belongs to him and can grow with him as his goals, needs and opportunities evolve.

Yomalis’ own experiences have also shown her how easily families can feel overwhelmed by the many programs, benefits and resources available within the disability community. This realization has strengthened her desire to help other families become better informed and more confident in making decisions for their loved ones.

Professionally, Yomalis has built her career in real estate and contract administration, while remaining actively engaged in community service and disability advocacy. Her involvement has included parent education, outreach, fundraising, volunteering and helping connect families with resources, programs and opportunities.

As an ABLE National Resource Center Ambassador, Yomalis hopes to use her lived experience as a mother to help more families understand the possibilities ABLE accounts can provide. She is especially passionate about reaching families preparing for the transition into adulthood and encouraging them to begin thinking about independence and financial planning for the future.

At the heart of her advocacy is a belief that individuals with disabilities deserve opportunities to build lives filled with dignity, purpose, independence and possibility.