Cynthia and Jose Viramontes left Mexico 11 years ago to settle in Cuba, Missouri, a predominantly white town in the heart of the Midwest with an extremely small Mexican community.

For Latinos, being together and connected as a family are of great importance and major sources of one’s identity.

They work hard to make a better life for themselves while spending as much time as possible with their children, Annia, Cynthia and Uriel. The Viramontes try to pass on their cultural values and traditions to their kids, who have never seen Mexico.

“We have to take care of our family,” Jose said. “That’s what matters the most.”