Founder & History - The Life and Legacy of Manuel A. “Manny” Alvarez
New Hope CORPS was founded in 1993 by Manuel A. “Manny” Alvarez, whose life story reflects redemption, perseverance, and a deep conviction that recovery is most effective when faith, structure, and service work together—regardless of age or past experience.
Early Life and the Search for Purpose
Manny was born in 1927 in Cuba under difficult circumstances and was orphaned at a young age. He spent much of his childhood moving between relatives and homes, living at different times in Cuba and Tampa, Florida. These early experiences shaped his resilience, but also a lifelong search for belonging and meaning. At 18 years old, Manny enlisted in the U.S. military during World War II, serving his country and later becoming a United States citizen. While military service provided discipline and pride, the transition to civilian life proved challenging.
Addiction, Incarceration, and Faith
Following the war, Manny struggled to find direction. Substance use led to crime, resulting in multiple incarcerations during the 1950s, a period marked by significantly harsher sentencing practices than today.
Even while incarcerated, Manny continued searching for meaning. In the 1960s, while in jail, he experienced a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ and committed his life to faith. This moment marked a turning point—though not the end of struggle.
Family, Recovery, and Growth
Released in the mid-1960s, Manny devoted himself to church, work, and education. He met Carmen Alvarez, married, and together they raised four children. While his recovery journey included setbacks, Manny’s life increasingly reflected responsibility, humility, and service.
He pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and began working in the behavioral health field—bringing together lived experience and professional training.
A Calling Takes Shape
In his early 50s, Manny experienced a profound personal and spiritual bottom and fully rededicated his life to Jesus Christ. From that point forward, service became central to his identity, and his long-held vision for recovery work began to take clearer form.
In the early 1980s, Manny volunteered in jail ministry, serving under the leadership of Chaplain José Hernandez, founder of South Florida Jail Ministries, where Agape Family Ministries later emerged. Through this work, Manny served individuals at the intersection of addiction, incarceration, and faith.
In 1984, Manny played a key role in the development of Agape’s Residential Treatment Program for Women, gaining hands-on experience in building structured, faith-centered recovery services. This work confirmed what Manny had long believed—that recovery is strongest when spiritual transformation is paired with structure, accountability, and practical support.
From Vision to New Hope CORPS
These experiences clarified Manny’s conviction that recovery programs should not force a choice between faith-based ministry and evidence-based practice.
Remarkably, Manny returned to school in his 60s, earning a Master’s degree, demonstrating that purpose, growth, and leadership are not limited by age.
In 1993, at approximately 66 years old, Manny founded New Hope CORPS to intentionally unite Christian faith, professional standards, and structured recovery services into a single, integrated model—designed to serve individuals and families with dignity, accountability, and hope.
A Living Legacy
Manny Alvarez passed away in 2009, but his vision continues. Today, New Hope CORPS provides a broad continuum of treatment, housing, outreach, and recovery support services, serving thousands of individuals and families over the decades.
Though Manny is no longer present in person, his work lives on through every life touched, every family restored, and every person who discovers recovery, purpose, and hope.
Many who knew Manny believe his legacy reflects the words:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”