A growing business Couple publishes Springfield's first Hispani

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Requests for help from pregnant immigrants who spoke little English led to the birth of Springfield's first Hispanic newspaper.

Roberto Velazquez and his wife, Maria Del Rosario Velazquez, were often approached by women at church for help in finding Spanish-speaking doctors. With three children of their own, they gladly offered advice.

The couple soon realized there were many other questions they could help answer for newcomers from Mexico. Both had lived and worked in the United States for more than 15 years and had dealt with immigration before becoming citizens.

"It's hard when you don't speak very good English," Roberto Velazquez said. "You don't know who to go to for help or who to trust."

Started outside church

Last November, the couple used their personal computer to produce their first edition of Semanario-Orgullosamente Latino -- meaning Biweekly, proud to be Latino. It was filled with tips on finding medical care, as well as businesses that had Spanish-speaking employees. They used their personal printer to create 40 copies on 8-inch-by-10-inch paper.

"We distributed them outside of church," Roberto Velazquez said.

The couple interviews representatives of various agencies, such as the Immigration and Naturalization Service. They then translate the information into Spanish.

Most stories are in simple, question and answer format, though the publication recently featured a nine-part series about citizens who had moved to Southwest Missouri from Mexico and the struggles they faced.

The couple even use a variety of public service announcements, including one from Children's Trust Fund warning against leaving children alone in cars.

"People need the information, but if they can't read English it is of no use," Roberto Velazquez said.

The two eventually got more adept at using computer software to create the newspaper. Their third edition grew to 120 copies. This time, they gave it away to area Mexican restaurants and stores in Springfield and nearby Monett that catered to Hispanics.

"It was like a game," Roberto Velazquez said. "We were having fun with it."

A niche market

Word spread and the paper grew. They purchased a business-quality copier and began soliciting advertising to help cover costs.

The seventh edition of Semanario-Orgullosamente Latino was printed more than two months later in a tabloid format. The couple packed their three children in the car and spent the day driving to neighboring cities, asking business owners to give their papers to interested customers.

Some 1,000 copies were distributed in Nixa, Purdy, Cassville, Carthage, Aurora and Webb City.

The increased Hispanic population in Southwest Missouri has created a niche market for such publications, said Robert L. Norton, professor of Spanish at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield.

"It costs a lot of money to publish a paper," he said. "The fact that such publications exist shows there is a need for media that communicates to the Hispanic community."

In 25 counties that make up Southwest Missouri, the number of Hispanics grew from 7,579 in 1990 to 22,058 in 2000, according to the U.S. Census. Greene County -- anchored by county seat Springfield -- saw a 150 percent increase over the period, going from 1,775 to 4,434.