Opportunity, safety, freedom bring Latinos to this area

After a trip to Disney World, Juan Hernandez, then 32 years old, had a plan. Move his family of five out of a heavily populated, crime-ridden community in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico to Avon Park for a better life.

When he arrived from his trip he went to a realtor who gave him a deal for a one-acre lot in Avon Park.

"That was it. I sold everything to come to Florida," Juan Hernandez said.

His friends told him he was crazy, he didn't know the language and he wouldn't last six months. It's been 21 years.

"It was hard because no one in our family knew English except me," said Mary Hernandez, Juan Hernandez's wife.

When they moved to Highlands County in 1988 they were part of 5 percent of Hispanics living here. In 2000, the percentage of Latinos reached 12 percent, making them the largest minority group in the county.

The county is home to Latinos from over 17 countries, according to the 2000 U.S. Census report.

Juan Hernandez said in the 21 years he's lived here the demographic of Hispanics has changed.

"Before there were Mexicans and Puerto Ricans, but now I'm seeing people from Honduras, Venezuela and from all over South America," he said.

If the increase of Latinos in Highlands County continues with the same trend as the 1990 and 2000 Census, the 2010 Census may show an approximate increase of 2 percent, speculatively.

South Floridians moving to Highlands

In 2000, Iris Iturbe and her husband traveled north on U.S. 27 on a road trip out of Miami. The Iturbes, who are originally from Cuba, wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of big city life. When they got to Sebring they found the perfect place.

"It looked like something out of a post card," Iturbe said.

They searched for properties in the area and stopped at a house in Avon Park Lakes.

"There was a calf in the driveway when we pulled up," Iturbe said.

That sealed the deal. The Iturbe's closed on the home and two years later moved in.

They wanted a good place to raise their sons who were 7- and 16-years-old at the time.

"My life revolves around my kids ... we found our little safe haven," Iturbe said.

Another relocated Cuban-Miamian, Ivonne Cobo, saw an opportunity to grow her business.

Cobo moved her medical supply business from the Miami area to Sebring.

"I saw an opportunity to create a niche within the elderly care medical community," Cobo said.

She opened her business, Integrity Medical Equipment, in Sebring, in 2007.

"I moved so that my business could prosper," Cobo said.

"So far it's going great."

Culture shock

The biggest hump these South Floridian Latinos had to get over was the initial culture shock.

"I missed my morning pastelitos and Cuban coffee," Iturbe said.

"I was shocked to see there was only one of everything," Ilu Boxmeyer, Iturbe's co-worker, said.

Boxmeyer, 25, moved from Miami to Sebring two years ago. She describes the change as an overnight decision. Her husband got a job in Highlands County and she followed a few months later.

"I was terrified. I thought I was moving to Nowhereville, but it's not that bad. We can drive to Tampa or Orlando and enjoy the quiet life at the same time," she said.

Mexicans see job opportunities

Two years ago, Sandra, 23, her husband and 4-year-old son left Oaxaca, Mexico with nothing but hope. They left the poor rural city to meet with family in Avon Park.

"We wanted to try our luck in the United States," Sandra said.

The recession Americans have treaded in last three years was nothing compared to how it impacted Oaxaca, Sandra explained.

"There were no jobs ... things were extremely tough, sometimes there was work; other times there was nothing," Sandra said.

Since they moved, her husband Joel found work in construction and the couple says they feel at ease.

"I have a child and have to fight for him," she said.

Voices of Latinos in Highlands

"We're far enough from the big cities but close enough to have access to them ... we wanted to move to a smaller city and establish our business here," said Aimee Tielves, owner of OT Trucking and Hauling. Tielves was born in Cuba and raised in Miami. She moved to Avon Park in 1996.

"There are a lot of us hard-working Cubans who moved here to establish our businesses and we're trying to get ahead," said Leadys Clemente, manager of Robert's Cafe in Avon Park. Clemente moved to Highlands County seven years ago.

"I moved here because there are job opportunities here that don't exist in my country," Sandra said.

"I'm a political immigrant. It was my dream to live in an American town and be free. The community has embraced my business and I service everyone: black, white, Mexican, Puerto Rican," said Aldo Palenzuela, owner of Aldo Barber Shop in Avon Park. He moved to Avon Park 12 years ago from Cuba.