Our primary purpose is to help Venezuelan forced migrants and asylum seekers in New York City by informing and empowering them. We advocate for people affected by the deep crisis in Venezuela, especially those seeking international humanitarian protection, and build bridges between them and local organizations that can assist find better opportunities to establish in the United States.
In 2022, the coordinator of the Observatory of the Venezuelan Diaspora, Tomás Páez, revealed that the number of Venezuelan displaced people rose to 7.2 million, keeping this the largest migration crisis in the world, rivaling the scale of Syria.
«VIA has the capacity to handle cases with a sense of honor, humanity, ethics, and compromise.» -Héctor Arguinzones. VIA’s cofounder.
From the first time I wrote to them on Instagram, they responded. They gave me an answer to what I was looking for, and the team of people that make up the VIA organization wrote to me: "How are you?", "How are you feeling?" They have helped me solve everything I asked for. I feel happy and fortunate for the support of you and those people, angels that God has put us on the path!
accompanies, and takes care of you by providing the necessary information regarding the laws and how they impact your status as an immigrant. VIA invites you to share and learn every day to move forward without losing hope, also anticipating the future because despite not receiving any monetary contribution for all the services and information it offers, it seeks strategic alliances to continue supporting the Venezuelan community in NY.”
VIA was, is, and will be a great family to me. There I found great emotional support such as food, clothing and economic help when I needed it. In the future, I see it as a great organization to help immigrants, both from Venezuela and from other countries. VIA has given me support with legal orientation; English classes; translations to communicate with other organizations or individuals; and connect me with other organizations that I never knew before.
VIA helps and opens the path to our Venezuelan community in this country. VIA has helped with legal orientation, English classes for beginners, cultural activities, and connected me with local NGOs that I did not know.
with it because you get shelter, solidarity, reunion, collaboration, orientation, as well as a bit of the best part of the Venezuela of my times, one with principles, values, customs, union, and harmony. We feel VIA like “A BIG FAMILY.” VIA has given us help with legal aid, emotional support, cultural and recreational activities like welcome refugees dinners, summer programs, and connecting with organizations we didn’t know.
To me VIA is my family, a little piece of Venezuela in NYC. I see them in the future as an organization with stronger foundations than it has and with more goals achieved. They have helped me with legal orientation; English classes; emotional support; financial assistance; workshops to know my rights, and as a bridge to connect with other organizations that I did not know about.
That in the future will be highly recognized internationally. VIA helped me find legal orientation, they also helped me with English classes, cultural and recreational activities, and they still connect me with resources and other organizations that I do not know.
VIA is an organization that supports the community. I know I can count on it because it is what Niurka and Hector transmit as their founders. You can go, come, get away a little, contribute something, and you know that they will always be there to support you. VIA has helped me with English pronunciation class; emotional support; dinners sharing, and connect with other organizations that I never knew before
When I got here, I did it without clothes, with absolutely nothing! I arrived in cold weather. The food VIA gave me helped me get by at that time helped me and my family and lot! Mentally, the Peer Support Meetings and other workshops they carry out have helped me greatly."
We do advocacy and activism work to increase the visibility of migration politics issues for those seeking international protection in the United States.
We are part of the well-known advocacy groups WES Global Talent Bridge Group and the TPS-DED Administrative Advocacy Coalition. We have continued working in collaboration with each of them since 2019.
Click on each of the images above to learn more about our ongoing campaigns.
