Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid (VIA) celebrates nine years serving as a guide for the migrant community in the United States. Its directors and co-founders, Niurka Meléndez and Héctor Arguinzones, reflect on how this grassroots organization, since its founding in 2016, has maintained its commitment as a guiding and responsible entity for those seeking a better future in this country.

The word vía is a Latin term meaning path, route, or method. That guiding principle, according to its directors, defines the work of Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid (VIA) since its creation.

How would you describe the mission that guides you today?
Héctor Arguinzones explains that from the very beginning, VIA was “a connection, or route between the growing community [of migrants who needed] to find reliable information [so they could] make informed decisions.” Niurka Meléndez adds: “Our mission is not to be the first to inform, [but rather] to inform responsibly with [content that is] truthful and, above all, verified [always relying] on official sources, all this without forgetting that human touch we consider in everything we do: the mental health of those who have been forced to flee.”

How have you sustained your operations over these 9 years?
Meléndez recalls that at the beginning, VIA was sustained by “the time of volunteers who, since 2016, have believed in us.” She also highlights self-financing: “[At the start, Héctor and I] financed [the activities] to the extent of our economic possibilities. We’ve never received federal or local government funding. Many people and institutions contributed with in-kind donations so that our activities could take place.” The directors point out that starting in 2020, VIA began receiving contributions from private entities such as World Education Services, Mariam Assefa Foundation, Robin Hood, New York City Community Trust, and through the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

What has been VIA’s philosophy regarding people who arrive in the country seeking help or protection?
Meléndez and Arguinzones summarize VIA’s philosophy as focused on verified information: “The first thing here is how [to help the person or refer them to where they can] seek that help. In fact, migrants are referred to trustworthy, accredited, and responsible institutions and individuals.” They emphasize that VIA operates based on values like honesty and transparency and that they do not serve large numbers of people just to inflate statistics but rather do so “in a dedicated and truth-based manner, [adapting] to circumstances, but always without losing focus: guiding without crossing the line of [providing] legal advice.”

How do you ensure that VIA’s activities stay within the legal framework, especially on sensitive issues like migration?
Niurka clarifies: “We know our limitations. We are not lawyers, and we repeat that at every event.” She explains that VIA only provides “legal orientation [maintaining a] limit [and clarifying that this is not] a legal consultation, [or offering] legal advice, [but rather] guidance.” She also highlights: “We do not mix any political-party issues within our organization.”

Héctor adds that VIA also avoids religious or ideological discussions: “We don’t allow there to be within the organization, or in any of our activities, controversies that have to do with religion or with [other] ideologies or ways of thinking.”

What do you think sets VIA apart from other organizations in this field?
Héctor states: “Our perspective as asylum seekers allows us to understand firsthand the needs of the community.” Niurka emphasizes: “We are street-level action, not desk-based. We are a small organization, but with a big heart, very big in the desire to do things right. We understood the importance of speaking the language, knowing the immigration processes, integrating into communities, but above all, raising awareness about the need for an empathetic and resilient space that understands what it means to flee your country of origin.”

What challenges do you face working with migrant communities in the current climate?
Niurka identifies the main challenge: “Combating misinformation has been our biggest challenge since day one. Nowadays, fear, plus misinformation, is undoubtedly a challenge that affects everything.” Héctor agrees: “Today we fight against collective panic, but we remain focused on providing timely guidance and truthful information.”

What has been VIA’s greatest achievement so far?
Niurka puts it plainly: “VIA’s credibility is our greatest achievement.” She adds that VIA has created “a foundation of credibility that we have built [over] nine years.” Héctor reinforces: “We’ve grown from [just] two people to over 20 regular volunteers.”

What message would you like to send to the community, your allies, and those who have supported you over the years?
Niurka invites the community to share what they’ve learned: “That is also being VIA.” To allies and donors, Héctor says: “Thank you for your support, thank you for your trust. Every bit of help is truly important.” And as the directors of this nonprofit organization, soon to celebrate its 9th anniversary, reflect: VIA does not walk alone, it walks with all of you.