An unexpected twist of fate brought my husband and me to Pittsburgh. It was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that tested our resilience and adaptability. Back in early 2020, we lived in Miami. The lockdown, lasting for months, cast an unbearable shadow of uncertainty that grew by the minute.
When we were facing a dead end, a friend informed us about a job opportunity for bilingual professionals trained to work with kids in Pittsburgh. Crossing fingers, we both applied and were hired. I was making ends meet by teaching private lessons, and with my last payment, we bought new tires to drive from Miami to Pittsburgh in our two cars packed with our personal belongings, and our dog Bella, the American Bulldog.
As time was passing, we realized that we were surrounded by more and more stories that made us bond with Pittsburgh. We have intertwined with the city in ways we never expected, through work and enjoyment. Our circle of friends includes not only Venezuelans but also Mexicans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, and Americans. The diversity, kindness, and open arms of our new hometown make a strong statement about Pittsburghers being as “Good Neighbors,” as Mr. Rogers wanted.
We bought a cozy house in Ambridge, on the outskirts of northwest Pittsburgh, with a backyard big enough for barbecues, fire pits, and for our pets Bella and Milo to enjoy. The two Latino markets in Ambridge started offering Venezuelan products, from Harina Pan to queso de mano, from Cocosette to nata. Additionally, there are new Venezuelan staffers there.
Eduardo, my spouse, just enrolled in the Community College of Allegheny County to start a new professional path as a Graphic Designer. He also works as a Youth Counselor in a program for immigrant minors and holds a side job as a Spanish interpreter for social services.
Our American friends love the Sunday breakfasts we host at home with arepas and were delighted by our post-Thanksgiving lunch with turkey and hallacas.
Thus far, we have seven Venezuelan restaurants in Pittsburgh, and the “Cilantro y Ajo” Venezuelan food truck was a blast during the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Hallmark Building in 2023.
“Venezolanos en Pittsburgh” is a WhatsApp group with more than 250 people. When I asked them for stories to share with you all today, they mentioned their kids earning their high school diplomas, enrolling in college, or thriving in sports. Some of them are entrepreneurs or were hired for positions that enable them to use the knowledge they brought from Venezuela.
I want to make two special mentions of Venezuelan fellows in Pittsburgh that are dearly close to us. My friend Alicia Sewald-Cisneros, founder of “Ayudate,” providing mental health services to Spanish-speaking immigrants at extremely affordable prices, and Mauricio Gonzalez-Roberts, our mortgage broker, who masters the Pittsburgh real estate market and got a great deal for us.
We discovered the vibrant corridor between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, where we have relatives and long-lost friends. We visit them frequently. My beloved cousin Auristela, AKA “La Nena,” settled down there with her son Carlos, my namesake cousin, who recently graduated from Penn State University. My lifelong friend Yajaira Paredes, an accomplished actress, is thriving on Philly stages. My fellow journalist Christbel Mora is making her mark on Spanish TV news in Philly.
And I want to mention my fellow Venezuelan Journalists in a special way today, as we celebrate on June 27th the Venezuelan Journalist Day. More than one thousand of us have fled the country due to censorship and persecution, but most of us are thriving abroad.
Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania are truly two of the best things that have ever happened to us. We recovered from the pandemic’s blow, settled down here, and raised a home that we love. Pennsylvania makes no distinction and shelters us all, becoming the “Keystone” of our lives and encouraging us to pursue our happiness.
As you know, Venezuela is now facing one of the worst crises in the Western Hemisphere due to an authoritarian government that has lasted for 25 years. Some of us have come here looking for growth and new opportunities, while others have come fleeing from violence, persecution, and starvation.
But we Venezuelans came here to work hard. We chose the U.S. because we value the democracy, a priceless asset that we lost in our native country, and we dearly value the social, cultural and economic fabric of the country that so generously sheltered us.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to all Pennsylvanians, both officials and constituents, for building a commonwealth that has become a safe harbor for Venezuelans. Today, we can say with certainty that Pennsylvania is our home, and the only thing we regret is not moving here much earlier. A utopia exists, and it’s called Pennsylvania.
Thank you.
(Photo by Jesús Rincón)