Pathward’s Alex Echevarria Inspires Others Through Volunteerism

Pathward promotes a culture of volunteering to provide resources  for its communities. Eligible employees can take Volunteer Time Off to contribute their time and talents to causes  they care about. Pathward’s Alex Echevarria, a Managing Director of Business Development in Commercial Finance, took that to heart and volunteered to lead a BLUE Missions team in the Dominican Republic. In just one week, the band of volunteers built a water distribution system for the remote village of Juan Pio, a crucial element of providing the villagers with access to clean water year-round.

Why was this so important for the people of Juan Pio?

For about four months each year, the village experiences a drought cycle, making access to clean water scarce. Some villagers would walk miles to gather water in buckets from a river.

To address the village’s water access problem, the volunteers spent the week building an 8,500-gallon holding tank for the water and running pipes to route the water from the top of a mountain to the village so the residents could have access to water year-round. The efficiency of the system allows locals more time to pursue other endeavors, such as education, working and providing for their children.

“The trip to Juan Pio was an incredible experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and contribute to Pathward’s volunteer initiative. Volunteering is so rewarding and impactful when I’m able to help a community far from home,” Echevarria shared.

His commitment to volunteerism stems from his passion for giving back and changing the lives of others. He described his experience as life-changing and said it reaffirmed his belief in the importance of community involvement.

BLUE Missions Group has provided more than 36,000 people with access to water, and Echevarria’s team contributed to bringing water to approximately 31 homes in Juan Pio.

At Pathward, our Community Impact Program gives full-time employees the opportunity to take 16 hours of paid Volunteer Time Off each year to contribute to causes they are passionate about. Employees are encouraged to use their volunteer hours throughout the year with campaigns and events such as Volunteer Week.

Echevarria is an example of one who truly embodies our spirit of service, and you can watch this video capturing a glimpse of his mission.

Learn more about Pathward’s Community Impact Program and how we give back.