In the last 15 to 20 years, he said, Hispanics have become more involved with the Abilene City Council and the boards and committees that help shape local government. To help strengthen and further those connections, Hernandez is uploading the rapidly growing Hispanic community onto the Internet. Still, his Web site acts as an online ramp that starts at the Abilene Hispanic scene and cruises into the larger world. The nonprofit site, which he launched a year ago, includes an events calendar, a newsletter, a list of local Hispanic entrepreneurs and lots of other links to the Abilene community. Campos said the Web site is also noticed in the schools because of its focus on the local community.
Most events show up on the site within an hour's time.
He is also trying to add an historic perspective by showcasing old pictures of Abilene's barrios. The page gets about 300 hits a month, Hernandez said, mostly from visitors who've heard about the site from word of mouth. Most of the site's designing takes place from an immaculate desk in the corner of Hernandez's living room. He spends two to three hours a day at the computer in the evening, plus weekends, updating the site. To stay on top of things, Hernandez keeps in regular touch with all the movers and shakers of the Hispanic community.