Niurka Melendez
Niurka Meléndez is a dedicated advocate for displaced people and asylum seekers. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science, graduating Cum Laude from Nueva Esparta University. In 2015, she left Venezuela, and in 2016, she sought asylum in the U.S. Niurka is the co-founder of Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid (VIA), a nonprofit organization in New York City that provides vital support to displaced individuals and asylum seekers, helping them integrate into their new communities. Through VIA, she has built a network that offers guidance, resources, and advocacy, bridging the gap for immigrants navigating complex systems. In addition to her volunteer job at VIA, Niurka works as a bilingual website coordinator for an international organization in the U.S. She is deeply committed to her family, her homeland, and the immigrant communities she serves, embodying resilience and leadership in all aspects of her work.