Judge Mary Lou Alvarez

Tuesday I had the opportunity to help coordinate the St. Anthony Catholic School 7th Graders’ annual visit to the courthouse - we toured all things for the Civil District Courts - many thanks to Judge Nicole H. Garza and Judge Elizabeth Martinez for inviting the students to observe dockets called and hearings conducted. And a special shoutout to P Mae Garza and Marisa Aragon for taking time to explain their practice areas and answer questions for the students in between their hearings. 💗

We then headed over to Judge Alfredo Ximenez to allow the students to learn about the “criminal side” of our courthouse complex. Our morning finished with a tour of the Heritage Museum, Commissioner Justin Rodriguez taking time to recognize our students while they observed a portion of the County Commissioners’ meeting, and a tour of the beautiful historic 45th District Court. It was a packed morning followed with a Whataburger lunch provided by the fabulous Judge Alfredo Ximenez, County Court 4. It was an honor to help coordinate and provide such a valuable learning opportunity for our children and future leaders!
💙💛⚖️🤓

Today is Election Day, Bexar County! 🌟

Runoff elections are often decided by a small number of votes, so your voice matters even more today.

Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. If you are in line by 7:00 PM, stay in line. You still have the right to cast your ballot.

Before you go, make sure you bring a government-issued photo ID, like your Texas Driver License, Texas ID, U.S. Passport, Military ID, or License to Carry.

Please take a few minutes today to vote, and remind the people you love to do the same.

When Bexar County shows up, we are heard.

Find polling locations, sample ballots, and Election Day information here: https://www.bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department

Thank you for staying engaged and involved in our community. It is an honor to serve Bexar County families.

🩵🩷🧡 PS: GO Spurs GO!

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance — a pause to honor those who gave their lives in service to this country, so we could keep building the community we believe in.

Here in Bexar County, home of Military City USA, service is woven into who we are. It lives in our neighborhoods, in our history, and in our families.

As the daughter of a veteran, I understand the weight of that sacrifice in a personal way. I grew up knowing what it means to love something enough to give your life for it. That kind of devotion doesn’t leave you. It shapes how you see your own responsibilities and the standards you hold yourself to in service.

Today, I am thinking of every Gold Star family who carries a loss that words cannot fully honor. Of the men and women who did not come home — whose names deserve to be spoken, whose lives deserve to be remembered not just today, but every day.

Their ultimate sacrifice is the foundation this community stands on.

May we honor them by continuing to build a Bexar County worthy of everything they gave. 🕊️🇺🇸💙

If you’d like to honor someone today, share their name in the comments. We remember with you.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

In Texas, nearly 2 million children are living with an unmet mental health need. For many, those challenges begin before they ever turn 14. Yet too many children struggling with depression never receive treatment, and families are left trying to find help only after things have already become harder.

As a judge, I see what happens when children and families are asked to carry too much with too little support. They are the reason mental health cannot be an afterthought in how we approach justice in Bexar County.

At our Cafecito last week, I asked everyone to fill out a survey. When I looked through the responses, one topic came up more than almost anything else: mental health.
Families are worried about it because they are living it. And when mental health rises to the top of what people are naming, that tells me we have more work to do together.

If you or someone you know needs support, the The Center for Health Care Services is a trusted resource right here in our community: (210) 261-2427.

For mental health support and resources, you can also call the NAMI Bexar Warm Line at 210-939-9999. If you are in crisis, please call or text the National Su***de & Crisis Lifeline at 988. If calling 911: Ask for a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).



Source: https://texas2036.org/mental-health/

❤️🙌🏽❤️

The ABA designates May 20 as National First Generation Lawyers Day, celebrating the contributions, importance, diversity and leadership of First Generation lawyers. Get resources aimed at helping first-gen lawyers thrive here: https://bit.ly/3LcoK8z

Happy Mother's Day to every Mother, Tia, Abuela, and Solo Caregiver in Bexar County. ❤️

Love doesn't always come with a title. Our community knows that care has many faces — and every single one of them matters.

As a mother myself, I know this work is never truly finished. You just keep showing up. Day after day, for the people who need you most.

I think about that when I walk into the 45th District Court. Each child, each family who comes before me deserves someone who won't look away, and that's the standard I hold myself to, without exception.

And to those who are carrying a mom in their heart today: they are never forgotten and I hope you always feel your mom’s love today and all your days.

Wishing all the mothers and caregivers in our community a day filled with the love you give all year long.

Tag a mother who deserves to be celebrated today. 💙

Every single day, teachers show up for children with heart — not just to deliver a lesson, but to care for and guide them, helping shape who they will become.

When I visit schools and sit with students, I get to see that truth in the most powerful way. I get to read a story. Teachers live the story, every day, in every classroom, with every child they serve.

Teacher Appreciation Week is a moment to honor educators who carry this work with purpose. You see potential in children before children can see it in themselves. You make sure every student knows they matter, that they are worth showing up for, and that their future is worth fighting for.

To the teachers across Bexar County, thank you. What you do is extraordinary. The children you show up for every day are the very reason this work is so meaningful to me.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 📚💙

On the Southside, over cafecito and under the shining sun ☀️ we had the kind of conversation I want to keep having.

Last Saturday Sip & Sit with ME Coffee House, neighbors came for the coffee and stayed for the conversation + community — filling out surveys and talking with us about what families face when cases involve children, family conflict, or mental health concerns.

These conversations are crucial. And it means so much to have them outside of the courthouse, so families can ask questions and better understand what to expect before they ever find themselves in court.

I’m so grateful for everyone who stopped by and took the time to talk with us about what matters to them.

A very special thank you to Marta and Jaclyn of Sip & Sit With Me for always opening your door to the community, and to Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones for stopping in to say hello.

☕ We are planning more cafecito conversations soon! What questions do you have about the courts? Take a look at our survey (pictured here) and let me know in the comments or a direct message!

Let’s keep talking. See you next time! 💙