2022
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Original JPG File | 2309 × 2051 pixels (4.74 MP) 7.7 in × 6.8 in @ 300 PPI |
565 KB | Download |
Website and Low resolution print | 2000 × 1777 pixels (3.55 MP) 6.7 in × 5.9 in @ 300 PPI |
301 KB | Download |
Screen | 850 × 755 pixels (0.64 MP) 2.8 in × 2.5 in @ 300 PPI |
88 KB | Download |
Preview | Screen Preview |
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Named person(s)
Victor Omar, Portrait
Date photo taken
04 March 2022
City/Town
Fresno
Province/State
California
Country of origin
United States
Region
West Coast MCC
Photo credit
MCC Art/Cynthia Velazquez
Themes
Education and training
Description
This portrait represents Victor Omar's migration story from Cuba.
Personal/Project impact
Cynthia Velazquez, community artist and educator, West Coast MCC, created this illustration of Victor Omar. Omar was an asylum seeker from Cuba who found respite at Casa Alitas , a shelter in Tucson Arizona. The artist states, “Through his facial expression, the portrait represents hope, dignity, joy, and courage. The eagle represents Omar's guidance and strength (Isaiah 40:31); they face the same direction to represent migration.”
This illustration accompanied an article about welcoming the stranger, written by Katherine Smith, a West Coast MCC staff person. Smith, who helps with welcoming asylum seekers at Casa Alitas, met Omar and heard his story. He told her that the shelter was the only place he felt respected and cared for in his entire immigration journey.
He told Katherine: "The attention at Casa Alitas was phenomenal. The volunteers were charismatic and attentive, providing us with information and helping with everything we asked for," Omar said. He told me this is where he received a proper meal and clothing for the first time since leaving Cuba and where he could finally call his family, who had been desperate to hear from him.
Casa Alitas is a partner of West Coast MCC. The partnership is primarily in the form of supplying Smith’s time to serve there.