Christmas for Venezuelan forced migrants in NYC

Want to join us in making a difference? When you donate $30, you help us distribute two Christmas dinners to two Venezuelan displaced people in New York.

We are Niurka Melendez  and Hector Arguiznones, we are 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 13-year old son Samuel came to the US in 2015. Back home, we were active community members: choosing to leave 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 did not wait until we were entirely on our feet before extending our assistance to others.

 

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 their homeland, we are here to support them.

 

As we did last year, and due to the restrictions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, 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 these goals below through the last four years.

In 2017, we served 200 dinners.

In 2018, we served 175 dinners.

In 2019, we served 225 dinners.

In 2020, we handed out 175 meal boxes.

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.

$30 DISTRIBUTES TWO DINNERS

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

In Solidarity,

Niurka, Hector, and the VIA's team!

About Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid, Inc.:

We are a grassroots community organization that helps Venezuelan forced migrants and asylum seekers in New York to adapt and integrate into this country and its culture as quickly and safely as possible. We connect these displaced people to one another and to institutions in the city that can support them in, for example, learning English, getting food and clothing, and establishing their legal status here. Our members and volunteers are mostly Venezuelan asylum seekers, hardworking individuals who want to give back to their community and the organizations that support our mission.

Through VIA  , we quickly began mobilizing to support the growing community of Venezuelan refugees. VIA has organized food and clothing drives, peer support, English classes, and have provided critical guidance in all areas of interest  for fellow newcomers. Only this year, we have been able to assist more than 1500 people , giving them the tools they need to adapt and immerse themselves in New York City in the safest and most effective way possible.