The work we do at Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid (VIA) continues to cross borders and gain visibility in decision-making and collaboration spaces at the national level. On Monday, May 19, VIA was invited to participate in the National Convening organized by World Education Services (WES), held in Detroit. The full-day event brought together leaders, researchers, and partner organizations from across the country to discuss economic inclusion, immigrant leadership, and strategies to strengthen immigrant integration into the U.S. workforce.
The invitation was not just a recognition of VIA’s ongoing work, it was also an opportunity to bring our community’s voice into the national conversation. Representing VIA was Jesse Rylander, our Communications Coordinator, who played an active role throughout the day and was selected as one of the closing plenary speakers, sharing the stage with leaders from national organizations.
A Space for Building Alliances: The Global Talent Leadership Network (GLTN) Meeting
The day began with a dedicated working session for members of the Global Talent Leadership Network (GLTN), a select group of organizations across different states leading initiatives for immigrant inclusion, VIA among them.
“The morning exercise was incredibly powerful,” Jesse said. “We were asked to draw two hands. On one hand, we captured the history of our organization, and on the other, how we’ve connected with WES. It made us reflect on the impact we’ve had, but also on how much work lies ahead.”
Several key ideas emerged from this session, including the importance of adapting leadership models to fit the realities of each community, strengthening local coalitions, and reshaping the narrative around migration. “It’s not just about asking how we build more inclusive communities,” Jesse added. “We also need to ask ourselves: what are we losing if we don’t?”
Proven Models and Strategies for the Future
Throughout the day, participants attended workshops showcasing successful programs from other states, such as fast-track certification pathways for immigrant professionals and initiatives that link English language learning directly to job opportunities. “One thing that stood out to me was that we don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” Jesse noted. “There are solutions already working that we can adapt to our reality in New York.”
Another workshop focused on how to respond to the challenges of today’s political and economic climate, highlighting the need for messaging that resonates not just within our communities but also with business leaders and policymakers. Conversations centered on employer partnerships, public awareness campaigns, and strategies to measure the real impact of inclusion efforts.
VIA’s Voice at the Closing Plenary
The most meaningful moment of the day came during the closing plenary session, where Jesse represented VIA as one of three invited panelists. Speaking before dozens of national leaders, Jesse shared reflections and takeaways from the event.
“One of the biggest things I’m taking home is that we’re not alone in facing the challenges of migration,” Jesse said during the discussion. “Seeing so many organizations working toward the same goal gives us hope and motivates us to keep going.”
When asked how VIA plans to apply these insights, Jesse was clear: “We’re going to look for new strategies to better serve our community, adapting to the changes ahead and seeing every challenge as an opportunity. We also want to strengthen our partnerships and learn from what others are already doing well.”
A Milestone Moment for VIA
VIA’s participation in this national convening is another sign that our work is resonating beyond New York. Being in spaces like the WES Convening gives us a chance not only to learn and build networks, but also to raise visibility for the needs of our community and the solutions we’re building together.
We’ll continue raising our voice, and the voices of those we serve, because when our community moves forward, we all move forward.