In times of need and celebration, Waynesboro’s Spanish-speaking population calls on a small group of leaders.
Don Gibson
With a background that includes missionary work in Spanish-speaking countries, Don Gibson came to Waynesboro to find the city’s Hispanics in a state of need. In addition to providing a Spanish service each Sunday, Gibson also aids families in need of financial, religious and emotional support. He says he keeps his doors open for anyone in need of help, regardless of denomination.
“It’s incredible what people have lived through,” Gibson said. “And they’re here, right in our community.”
Rosa Cruz-Bermudez
She may work for the Waynesboro Health Department, but Rosa Cruz-Bermudez has been helping Spanish-speaking immigrants with much more than their health for the better part of two decades.
Raised bilingual in Puerto Rico, the woman known as “Doña Rosa” is well connected with the Hispanic community and familiar with government service agencies.
“Everything is word of mouth with the Hispanic community,” she says. “If you serve them well, they trust you forever.”
Fernando Hoyos-Hernandez
His responses may be skeptical — his answers short — but a well-placed joke gets Mi Mercadito manager Fernando Hoyos-Hernandez laughing and shaking his head in disbelief. His is one of two all-purpose Hispanic stores on North Poplar Avenue, where immigrants can find back-home foods like cacti and Jarritos sodas, wire money across borders and snare the latest in Latin music and movies.
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