A Victoria man who has been a lifeline for Mexican immigrants new to the city has been recognized for his community work.
Over the past 25 years, Miguel Espinosa has been the first point of contact for Mexicans arriving in Victoria, helping people find jobs and housing and building a vibrant community in the process, say those who know him.
Espinosa received the Ohtli Award at the Mexican Consulate in Vancouver on Tuesday. The award is issued by the Mexican government to citizens who have helped other Mexicans living abroad and promoted the country’s culture.
Karina Carrera, a single mother from Zacatecas, Mexico, said Espinosa helped her find a place to live and introduced her to friends when she and her daughter moved to Victoria a year and a half ago.
“Once he opens the door for you, he never expects anything back,” said Carrera, a student at Camosun College.
“He just does it from his heart.”
In return, Espinosa asks only that Mexicans living in Victoria pay it forward to other newcomers.
“When they say: ‘What can I do for you?’ I say: ‘Don’t worry about it, the next one who comes and asks you for help, you do the same,’ ” he said.
Espinosa is the president of the Mexican Canadian Community Association of Victoria. He’s also been the driving force behind the Festival Mexicano, which has brought Latin dancing, mariachi bands and flavourful food to Centennial Square for the past 11 years.
The fiesta is a great way to showcase the Mexican culture and “to get all the Mexican and Latin families together,” Espinosa said.
The 58-year-old moved to Victoria 28 years ago from Acapulco. His parents joined him here 14 years ago. Since then, he has helped dozens of relatives settle in Victoria, some of whom have set up successful businesses in the community such as Puerto Vallarta Amigos, a food stall with locations at Fisherman’s Wharf and Uptown.
“They’ve a vibrant part of Victoria’s business and culture and largely that’s due to people like Miguel,” said David Lau, executive director of the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society.
Lau said Espinosa has become a local celebrity in Victoria’s Latin American community.
“For over 25 years he has personally supported and advocated for hundreds and hundreds of Mexican newcomers,” Lau said. “He does this at his own cost, on his own time basically, because he is full of love.”
