Supporting Together Area Youth (STAY) RVA is a movement comprised of parents and neighbors who want to help Richmond’s local public schools thrive. We are a positive-minded, solution-oriented, action-based organization. We want you to be a part of STAY… STAY in the city, STAY committed, STAY open-minded. We want to build communities of support around every school and engage in honest conversations about why schools have not had the resources they need. We want to BECOME genuine community members who work to form relationships with all people.

Richmond is a dynamic city loved by many who call it home. We want to encourage people to STAY, put down roots, and get involved in their community by coming together in support of local schools. In order to be a first-class city, we must provide a first-class education for ALL students.

Through our collaboration with the schools, we are fortunate to witness truly inspiring students, staff and programs on a daily basis. We celebrate these stories and highlight the exciting and engaging projects and learning opportunities RPS students and staff are undertaking.

Ms. Gwen Jallah works at John Marshall High School as the Coaches in the Classrooms Coordinator. Jallah as she is fondly called throughout the halls of John Marshall has the “it” factor when it comes to teaching and caring about youth. She goes above and beyond for families, for students, and for her co-workers every day. She greets everyone with a big smile and takes the time to listen to parents and students alike in her cozy, snack-filled office. Jallah walks kids out to their parents when she sees them after practice or at a game and brags to those parents about the good things their kids are doing! She makes connections, she is real, and she is someone you want to be around!

Keep coming back to check out our success spotlights. If someone in your area is working hard in their local school please reach out to us at info@stayrva.org so we can hear about more of these positive stories and share them here!