ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Monday was the official start of Hispanic Heritage Month!

5 On Your Side is featuring several people making an impact in the community.

This story is about Latina business owner, Elsa Avila, who came to this country searching for safety and found a future.

On an August afternoon, Elsa welcomes three of her staff members into a St. Louis County home. It's a home she's been tending to for years.

She remembers being in their shoes: Career-driven and committed. That's been ingrained in her ever since.

More than a decade ago, Elsa started cleaning homes.

The job came out of necessity to support her three little ones.

In her early 20's, Elsa came from Mexico to St. Louis seeking a better life from a toxic situation.

"It wasn't easy. I wasn't speaking the language.

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