Since 2018, Peer Support (PSP), a program by Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid (VIA), has become much more than an emotional support space. It’s now a community built on care, listening, and hope for hundreds of people who have migrated to the United States.

On May 30, 2025, at St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Manhattan, VIA celebrated PSP’s seventh anniversary by giving voice to the people who know its impact firsthand: the immigrant community. The stories shared during the event reflected loss, challenges, and resilience, but most of all, a strong sense of community.

“I was going through the emotional pain of migration and the group helped me move forward,” said Arlen, who arrived in 2019 and now lives in the Bronx. Like her, many attendees spoke about the emotional relief that came from simply talking with others who had experienced the same journey. For many, that connection became a vital source of strength.

Listening, Sharing, Healing: What the Numbers Say
Over these seven years, PSP has provided emotional support to more than 1,500 migrants. Data gathered from a recent participant survey offers deeper insight into the program’s real impact. For example, 23.7% of respondents said that the greatest support they received was emotional comfort during moments of deep loneliness. This was followed by those who were coping with migration grief (10.5%) or anxiety (7.9%), as well as those who simply needed someone to listen (7.9%). These numbers highlight what lies at the heart of PSP: being present and offering a listening ear during times of crisis.

The main challenges facing participants were also clear. Language barriers topped the list (12.5%), followed by the high cost of living and struggles with rent, and the need for affordable or free legal assistance (7.5%). Lack of access to fair employment opportunities (5%) was also a key concern. These numbers paint a picture of the realities many migrants face while trying to adapt and rebuild their lives in the U.S., reinforcing why VIA’s work remains essential.

When asked about the most helpful services, 17.5% of respondents said that even though they hadn’t formally participated in PSP, they had benefited from VIA’s publicly available resources. Others pointed to in-person talks and workshops (10%), virtual support groups (7.5%), and the WhatsApp support network. This shows that the program’s multichannel approach, offering in-person, virtual, and on-demand support, has successfully reached those most in need. Liliana Torella, one of the program’s coordinators, explained, “Our goal is for PSP to keep growing, which is why we’re actively seeking partnerships and resources from organizations with similar missions.”

Words that Inspire
During the event, psychologist Rachel Lee (PhD), creator of the program, reflected on PSP’s original mission. She said, “I’m so happy to be with you, celebrating seven years of PSP. Thanks to Niurka, Héctor, and Liliana for all the joint work in creating and sustaining this program. This is exactly what we talked about from the beginning: the need to recreate a sense of community here, to offer support, and to build a space where people feel they belong. I’m thrilled to see this family thriving, and it’s more important now than ever.”

Héctor Arguinzones, co-founder and co-director of VIA, also recalled how it all started in 2018 with a conversation at a Manhattan café with Rachel Lee. “The idea was to create a peer-to-peer space for healing,” he explained. “What exists today is the result of the dedication of psychologists and trained volunteers who, without expecting anything in return, have provided emotional support to other migrants. That solidarity is the heart of this program.”

Niurka Meléndez, also co-founder and co-director of VIA, emphasized the team’s consistency, especially since the start of the pandemic. “We haven’t stopped,” she said. “So far, we’ve held more than 90 group sessions and 39 workshops on migration grief and resilience. PSP is also available 24/7 through our WhatsApp line.”

A Commitment That Keeps Growing
Seven years later, VIA remains committed to everyone who has found comfort and support through this program. Because migration doesn’t end upon arrival, and healing hurts less when done in community.