1st Board of Directors 2021-2023
Founding Directors
- President: Denise Rincon
- Vice President: David Bonyuet
- Treasurer: María Alejandra Bastardo
- Secretary: Carmen Arcia
- Board Member: Mario López
About Us
Venezuelan Association in Massachusetts (VAM)
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation founded on April 19, 2019. We send humanitarian aid to Venezuela, promote our cultural values, support the community, and connect Venezuelans in Massachusetts to respond to immediate needs.
Our Mission
We believe in the power of solidarity to transform lives. At the Venezuelan Association in Massachusetts, we accompany Venezuelan families with support, guidance, and hope, creating opportunities that strengthen their well-being, integration, and future.
Our work focuses on:
- Providing initial legal and immigration guidance.
- Promoting cultural and workforce integration programs.
- Mobilizing support and resources to respond to urgent humanitarian needs.
Our Vision
To be a model of solidarity and social impact in Massachusetts and globally, mobilizing support, opportunities, and hope for people most in need and for communities living on the margins of society.
Values
Solidarity, human dignity, inclusion, empathy, hope, and commitment to communities facing the greatest vulnerability.
VAM Legal Status
Available documents and certifications.
Solidarity and Service
At the heart of our mission is the value of solidarity, where we come together as a family to offer mutual help in times of need. We value empathy, understanding the struggles and challenges our fellow immigrants face, and we strive to offer a friendly shoulder and useful resources to overcome obstacles.
Our association is also guided by a commitment to community service, working tirelessly to provide programs and activities that strengthen our community and foster the personal and professional growth of our members.
Ultimately, we are dedicated to promoting inclusion, diversity, and unity among Venezuelans and other immigrant groups in Massachusetts. We believe in the importance of celebrating our differences and cultures while working together to build a prosperous future full of opportunities for all.
Together, we are building a bridge of hope and support for our Venezuelan compatriots and other immigrants in Massachusetts, showing that, united, we can overcome any challenge and reach new horizons of success and well-being.
Board of Directors 2024-2030
The people who lead the organization.
Credentials
Carlina Velasquez
- Computer Engineer (I.U.P.F.A.N).
- Certified Zumba, yoga, and pilates instructor.
- Currently working as a programmer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health since 1998.
- Short-term missionary to LAM with PIPHEB and the Korean Presbyterian Churches, and actively serving in her faith community.
- Spanish instructor and coordinator for the ABC Spanish in Motion program.
- Zumba Gold instructor at different senior center locations in Massachusetts.
By serving, you can inspire others to do the same, build a team, and achieve great goals in the community. It is my privilege to serve the community, especially Venezuelans in Massachusetts.
Carlos Martin Medina
- Place of birth: Mérida, Venezuela; 35 years old.
- Attorney (Universidad de Los Andes).
- Active fellow of the IVLP International Visitor Leadership Program of the Department of State.
- Former Private Secretary of the Mayor's Office of Mérida during the administration of the mayor and former ULA rector, Dr. Lester Rodríguez.
- Former General Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Campo Elías during the administration of Mayor Omar Lares, Esq.
- Former President of JDC Juventud Demócrata Cristiana of the COPEI party.
- Former Vice President of ASONED, the National Association of Law Students.
- Research Assistant for the IOM Central America Chapter.
Since I was very young, I have supported the democratic struggle and the struggle for the most vulnerable. My message has always been that you can do 99 excellent things but never reach 100% in the eyes of others; you simply do one thing wrong and it becomes your black mark. Let us do good no matter for whom, and let that be our glory. I am a believer in the work of God.
Ciro Valiente
- Communications strategist, broadcaster, and Emmy Award-winning community advocate dedicated to expanding opportunities and defending the voices of immigrants and Latinos.
- In 2024, he received the Myra Kraft Community MVP Award from the New England Patriots Foundation in recognition of his community leadership and volunteer service across New England.
- With more than a decade of experience in media and public communications, Ciro has worked in Boston and Washington, D.C., and has served as a Spanish-language broadcaster for the Boston Red Sox.
- Across Massachusetts, he lectures on educational equity, Latino leadership, civic engagement, and protecting immigrants' rights, promoting policies and narratives that defend dignity and opportunity for all.
- From 2017 to 2025, he served on the Board of Directors of First Literacy, advancing adult education and workforce opportunities.
- Originally from Venezuela, Ciro earned a bachelor's degree in Mass Media and Communications from Universidad Santa María in Caracas.
Representation, access, and a courageous narrative are essential to building a better future.
Association Directors
2nd Board of Directors 2021-2023
Founding Directors
- President: Denise Rincon
- Vice President: Wilmer Leal (resigned in 2021)
- Treasurer: José Viveiros
- Secretary: Germania Galicia
- Assistant Secretary: Eileen Sanzonetti (resigned in 2023)
Working Team
Activities and events organized through volunteer work and teamwork.
Humanitarian Assistance Program for Venezuela
Medicine, medical supplies, food, diapers, hygiene products, clothing, shoes, and toys sent to 18 states and 22 recipients over 4 years.
Culture Program
Promotion of roots and cultural values: cultural festival, most creative arepa, Christmas celebrations, and Hispanic heritage concerts.
Support and Integration
Local and national integration: licenses, TPS, Humanitarian Parole, redesignation, accompaniment, and networks.
Migrant Assistance
Guidance, education, and information for migrants arriving in Massachusetts; WhatsApp support group.