Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid (VIA) was honored at the 5th Annual Anthem Awards with the Gold award in the category “Humanitarian Action & Services: Emerging Company or Organization” and received the Community Voice Award, selected by popular vote. This double recognition places VIA among the most impactful social impact organizations worldwide.
Both awards carry special significance because they were granted in a competition that received more than 2000 entries from 42 countries. This achievement marks a historic milestone for an independent, community-based, migrant led organization. The Anthem Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the institution known internationally for the Webby Awards.
Patricia McLoughlin, General Manager of the Anthem Awards, stated that “this year’s winners are a source of hope, and I am excited to celebrate their work with the world.”
VIA co founders and directors Niurka Meléndez and Héctor Arguinzones expressed their gratitude. “We are deeply honored and proud to receive these awards, which represent an important moment for the migrant community, a diverse and resilient community from many Latin American countries, and for nonprofit organizations led by people who have experienced displacement firsthand.”
They added, “At VIA we lead by example, always placing humanity, action, and solidarity first. This recognition belongs to every volunteer who works with consistency and integrity, to our partners and collaborators, to the community that trusts us, and above all to our beloved Venezuela, which we continue dreaming of seeing free. Today we celebrate not only an award but a turning point that shows how true empowerment is built through concrete actions.”
About VIA
Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid (VIA) is a nonprofit, community based, and fully volunteer run organization founded in 2016. It provides humanitarian assistance, legal orientation, emergency resources, and community empowerment programs for asylum seekers, forcibly displaced migrants, and vulnerable immigrant families in New York. Built by migrants for migrants, VIA is recognized for its dignified, transparent, and consistent approach and supports thousands of people every year with humanity and solidarity.
About the Anthem Awards
Launched in 2021 by the Webby Awards, the Anthem Awards recognize purpose-driven work and social impact initiatives in areas such as Humanitarian Action and Services, Human Rights, DEI, Health, Education, Responsible Technology, and Sustainability. Their mission is to amplify the voices that create real change and set a standard for work that inspires communities to take action.
Judges for the fifth edition include Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, Anjelika Lours’ Kour, Creative Director and Managing Partner at DD.NYC®, Miguel Castro, Director of Global Media Partnerships at the Gates Foundation, Belén Frau, Global Communication and Positioning Manager at IKEA, Heather Malenshek, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Land O’Lakes, Inc., Singleton Beato, Global EVP and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at McCann Worldgroup, Trovon Williams, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at NAACP, Lauren Garcimonde Fisher, Vice President of Brand at Planned Parenthood, Roma McCaig, Chief Public Affairs and Impact Officer at REI Co op, Brett Peters, Global Lead for TikTok for Good at TikTok, and Michelle Waring, Steward for Sustainability and Social Impact at Tom’s of Maine, among others.