Christmas for Venezuelan Refugees in NYC!

Want to join us in making a difference? Donate today!

We are Niurka Meléndez and Héctor Arguiznones, the founders and directors of VIA. We are organizing this campaign on behalf of the Venezuelan refugees and forced migrants we support. We, and our 15-year-old son Samuel, came to the US in 2015. Back home, we were active community members: leaving Venezuela and our family and friends behind was no easy decision. And our difficult journey was not over when we arrived in NYC, as the process of seeking asylum is long and arduous. But, we began extending our assistance to others before we were entirely on our feet.

Christmas is the most important holiday for the Venezuelan community. We are confident that many of them can relate to the loneliness brought on by being separated from loved ones during the holidays.

Since 2017, VIA has offered its community the traditional Venezuelan Christmas Dinner. This event represents a moment to put aside the challenges of rebuilding our lives as refugees for one night, a moment to signal to our community that they are cared for and that while they may be far away from their families and homeland, we are here to support them.

As we did last year, our focus will be distributing the Venezuelan traditional Christmas dish in beautiful grab-and-go containers for families to enjoy together at home.

At VIA, we count on the support of many volunteers who will help prepare and distribute our traditional dishes, and thanks to kind supporters like you, we have achieved 1500 Christmas dinners and 2000 toys over the last six years.

This year, our goal is to serve up to 300 people. We need your support to ensure we can continue this tradition that will help us all reconnect with humanity and solidarity for another year. Your financial contribution will help purchase ingredients and supplies and execute logistics to carry out this event, including the cost of transportation.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: December 22, 2023

Time: 2-5 pm

Address: St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church

263 W 86th St, New York, NY 10024

Thank you in advance for your generous contribution to this worthy cause.

In Solidarity,

Niurka, Hector, and the VIA's team!

More about us!

Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid, VIA, 501 (c)(3), is a grassroots community and volunteer-based organization that works to support displaced people in the New York City area and beyond through legal orientation, peer support, educational workshops, advocacy, and social and cultural events to build community.

VIA partners with local organizations, institutions, and volunteer staff to offer programs and activities for migrants of varying immigration status: those with pending asylum applications, those approved for asylum, applicants for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and those yet in legal limbo.