Educational
EDUCATION AT THE HEART OF OUR MISSION
Historically, Venezuela was one of the highest-educated countries in Latin America. In 2014 when the effects of the economic and humanitarian crisis began to show, Venezuela started to experience a brain drain in which highly educated and skilled Venezuelans emigrated to neighboring countries as well as the U.S.
In a study titled "Venezolana Community Abroad: A New Method of Exile" by Thomas Páez, Mercedes Vivas, and Juan Rafael Pulido of the Central University of Venezuela, over 1.5 million Venezuelans, between 4% and 6% of Venezuela's population, left the country following the Bolivarian Revolution; more than 90% of those who left were college graduates, with 40% of them holding a Master's degree and 12% having doctorates and/or post doctorates.
At Venezuela’s Voice in Oregon, (VVO) education is the cornerstone of our mission. We believe learning is a powerful tool for cultural preservation, community integration, and the advancement of equity. Through creative and accessible programming, we support families, elevate heritage, and build meaningful cross-cultural connections.
In a study titled "Venezolana Community Abroad: A New Method of Exile" by Thomas Páez, Mercedes Vivas, and Juan Rafael Pulido of the Central University of Venezuela, over 1.5 million Venezuelans, between 4% and 6% of Venezuela's population, left the country following the Bolivarian Revolution; more than 90% of those who left were college graduates, with 40% of them holding a Master's degree and 12% having doctorates and/or post doctorates.
At Venezuela’s Voice in Oregon, (VVO) education is the cornerstone of our mission. We believe learning is a powerful tool for cultural preservation, community integration, and the advancement of equity. Through creative and accessible programming, we support families, elevate heritage, and build meaningful cross-cultural connections.
Our educational initiatives in Oregon:
- Financial Literacy Workshops: In partnership with trusted community organizations, we offer financial literacy workshops to empower individuals and families with knowledge and tools to manage finances, plan for the future, and build long-term stability.
- Guided Painting and Arts-Based Learning: Our guided art sessions bring Venezuela’s cultural richness to life. Participants explore creativity while connecting with iconic imagery, stories, and traditions from our homeland in a warm and inclusive setting.
- Spanish Language Classes: We offer Spanish classes for both youth and adults to support bilingual development, cultural continuity, and family connection.
- Résumé Creation and Review: We assist job seekers with crafting and refining résumés, providing culturally aware support to help individuals present their strengths with clarity and confidence.
- Bilingual and Culturally Responsive Programming: Our educational events include storytelling, poetry, music, and workshops that promote language development, heritage appreciation, and pride in Latin American identity.
- Support for Immigrant and Refugee Families: We help families navigate the educational system and advocate for equitable access to resources and services in schools through culturally affirming workshops and outreach.
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshops: We address the emotional needs of immigrant and refugee families with workshops that promote mental wellness, emotional resilience, and community care.
- Support for Educational Programs in Small Nonprofits Serving Latino/Hispanic Communities: VVO is proud to partner with and uplift smaller nonprofits throughout Oregon that focus on Latino and Hispanic populations, including support for fitness sessions and sports techniques like climbing for promoting outdoor community Latino activities and Kickingball, a Venezuelan adaptation of softball, among other activities.
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Our flagship scholarship program provides scholarships for women of Latin American descent. Through our collaboration with the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber, we support eligible Latino women in accessing scholarships for university studies—empowering future leaders to pursue academic and professional excellence. Since 2017, our organization has donated $21,000 towards the Latino/Hispanic College Student Scholarship. Our scholarships have supported several Latina women living in Oregon. See photos of some of the recipients.
Some of our current partners and nonprofits in Oregon connected to our educational mission include: Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber, Kickingball PDX, Loco por la Aventura, and U.S. Bank, among others. For more information, email us: [email protected] |
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Our educational initiatives in Venezuela
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We continually support a professional group of students that annually participate in an intercollegiate design competition run by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). In the competition, Baja SAE, a team from the Universidad Simón Bolivar (in Caracas), build small off-road cars and compete against international teams of students. They have traveled to Washington and New York states to compete for 4 years.
2015-2024: $5,500 total to Baja SAE |
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Relevo Venezuela is a non-profit that has worked for the past five years closely with the community in El Hatillo (a suburb of Caracas) offering Saturday classes to more than 150 young people studying for their baccalaureate, in order to reinforce their studies and, especially, prepare them to enter university. Relevo Venezuela has been able to become a civil association, allowing them to build bridges and alliances with many and more people who believe, like Relevo, that training is the main engine of progress and growth of the human being.
2020-2021: $2,300 total to Relevo Venezuela |
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ACOFIM, a community organization in Maracay, has been our partner for quite some time. Since 2022, we have supported their educational programs by donating towards their Youth Workshops and Entrepreneurial Workshops for Women. The program for youth promotes creativity and personal development, and the program for female entrepreneurs teaches them leadership, administrative, and financial planning skills.
2022-2025: $4,900 total to ACOFIM |