Who is Guillermo Ali Perez?

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     Guillermo Ali Perez was born in Barahona, Dominican Republic and later lived in Santo Domingo where he grew up learning that a better life is possible through education, opportunity, and hard work. He legally emigrated to the United States in 1986 and since then has worked non stop with political activism groups, community outreach and support organizations. He's a proud American citizen who fights for the rights of the common person.

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     Soon after his arrival in the U.S., Guillermo realized that the clearest path to a better life is through education. He enrolled in Bronx Community college in the C.U.N.Y system where he discovered an interest for Legal studies. Right away he was deeply involved in campus and student activities and here is where he started to learn of his passion for helping others. He was elected student Senate president in his first year, and was re-elected as well. Mr Perez also studied Theology for four years at the Westchester Bible Academy. Earning an education opened many doors for Mr Perez, and has lead to a long career in education of minority and disenfranchised groups including seniors, ESL students young and old, to get their G.E.D.'s, become citizens, find jobs, find homes, and learn English.

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     Unlike many of our elected officials truly Guillermo lives in and is active in his community; a walk through his neighborhood can show you that many people including shop owners, senior citizens and young kids all know him by his preferred nickname “Ali,” a short form of his middle name. This is no Accident. Ali has lived and worked in the Washington Heights neighborhood for decades as housing coordinator acting a liaison between both tenants and landlords and as a property manager. Many of the people in his neighborhood know him as the person who guided them through the process of becoming citizens; tutoring and quizzing them on the topics that appear on citizenship exams, taking them to exam dates and helping them with all the paperwork along the way.

     Mr. Perez also does a lot of additional charity work through major international groups such as the LIONS club international. Through the LIONS, he's had the opportunity to help many people: he's helped bring kids from third world countries to get special surgeries here in the U.S., he's been involved in recovery efforts after natural disasters, and he's been able to advocate for public schools and education. He was elected District Governor of the Lions Club International of the state of New York and Bermuda in 2015 and remains active with the groups good works.

     A life-long liberal and community activist, Guillermo Ali Perez is a true New York success story who came here and made a better life for himself and his family. He wants the same opportunity for all New Yorker's. Join him in bringing the fight for equality and opportunity to City Hall and elect him Manhattan Borough President !