LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Refugee Ministries continues to see an influx of immigrants pouring into the state in search of better opportunities. The organization said it's helping up to 30 Cubans a week learn English, become financially literate, apply for citizenship or even asylum. They claim it's a higher number of cases they are having to take on when compared to previous years.
One of the largest Spanish media outlets, El Kentubano, has noticed this increase as well. The news magazine offers a variety of stories in Spanish and is focused on communicating various topics to the growing community.
Their July issue featured Cuban native Luandor Osorio's paining "Loa Cuba" which illustrates Cubans' journey of leaving their homeland and showcases small details from enduring turbulent waters to seeking balanced justice.
Osorio is a native Spanish speaker who's still learning how to perfect the English language.
"Here we can see how the Cuban society has been destroyed as a result of communism," Osorio said. "It has destroyed all the culture, society, how we think and traditions. It's all been destroyed. This right here represents a type of cancer or deteriorating disease."
Osorio references the multiple veins on the neck of the woman in the painting. Adding that the veins also construct an abstract face of Fidel Castro.
Luis David Fuentes, the publisher of El Kentubano, said he chose this painting because it represents a historic moment in their native country.
"Right in this month, July three years ago, a bunch of people, thousands of people went peacefully to the street asking for freedom (and) asking for democracy," Fuentes said.
Fuentes said these feelings are shared among the Cuban community in Derby City as he consistently checks in with KRM every Monday to welcome new immigrants to the country.
In classrooms all over the KRM Spanish could be heard through every wall as teachers educate incoming Cubans on how to get situated in their new home. The organization provides various forms of education from financial literacy to how to apply for citizenship or asylum.
"I would say that in the last two or three years... more than 30,000 Cubans have come to Louisville, Kentucky through the Kentucky Refugee Ministries," Fuentes said. "In this state if you compare to Florida, for example, everything is cheaper... the insurance, the rent, the houses. You have more job opportunities. What takes you 10 years in Miami you can achieve things in half the time. That's why people have been coming like crazy to this city."
Many reasons attracting to Osorio's family as well. When they won the chance to move through the U.S. Department of State Diversity Visa Program the Osorio's quickly accepted.
As of Monday Osorio officially works in maintenance, but it doesn't stop him from from following his deep passion for painting art. He's glad Fuentes gave him the opportunity to creatively speak to others like him through El Kentubano.
"I've always found the idea of the Cuban community growing every day, having the possibility to speak to Cubans who are trying to grow in this country, and giving them a platform is an honor," Osorio said.
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