Give today for a better tomorrow!

Game Changer's Luncheon a Success

This group of middle schoolers joined 150 guests for our Game Changer's Luncheon on May 30th at Carver Recreation Center. Several of the youth created a film in collaboration with Light House Studio, and luncheon guests were treated to a screening of their films. The event raised over $23,000 to support our cradle-to-career pathway. We are very grateful to our sponsors and donors for contributing to this success. If you were unable to attend, we hope you will enjoy reading the inspiring words of our speakers. You may also visit this link for additional photos.

Raylaja Waller

Junior, Virginia State University

"It is because of the City of Promise staff, past and present, that I am who I am today. They have all made an impact on my life and shaped me into a stronger leader than I was before. They have encouraged me to stay active in my community, work with the kids from my former neighborhoods, and encourage them to keep striving for greatness."

Nalaiah Branch

6th Grader, Walker Upper Elementary School

"When I look into my future, I see myself at Yale University for four years, then having my own choreography studio. This will allow me to choreograph tours for different artists, give lessons, and perform. I believe that being involved with City of Promise will give me the resources I need to reach my school, personal, and life goals."

LaKeisha Warfield

Former City of Promise parent

"The City of Promise means a lot in the community. It gives the kids and parents a positive step into what type of education and career they want for themselves. With their encouragement, and with the help of the Network2Work Program, I went to school to be a Certified Nursing Assistant. I am proud to say that I have moved out of Westhaven, and I am continuing to work hard to provide for myself and my family."

Ridge Schuyler

Dean, Division of Self-sufficiency Programs, PVCC

"Self-worth can be instilled. And this is a key to what makes City of Promise so effective. The parents and children touched by the City of Promise not only see the pathway to increasing their worth. They have the confidence to know that they can travel that pathway successfully, and their results show how effective this approach can be."

Mary Coleman

Interim Director

"I believe Charlottesville is a city of promise. I believe the work we do is just as important as the work happening over at the cancer center. The difference is that everybody knows somebody who has battled cancer. Not everybody knows someone who has battled poverty. City of Promise provides an opportunity for you to know your neighbors and to contribute to their thriving. We are counting on you, and we appreciate your affirmation and support."

Sarad Davenport

Keynote Speaker

Founding Director, 2012-2017

"Many of our outcomes will not change until we truly believe in the inherent humanity and intelligence of those that we are privileged enough to serve. To be successful, we must take the posture from the beginning that we may learn as much or more than we will deposit into others. It is an asset-based way of thinking to say that those who are closest to the problem are closest to the solution; and our role is technical assistance, mobilization, investment, and the strategic deployment of resources to support individuals and populations as they chart out their destiny."

Denise Johnson

Director, 2017-2019

"You have believed that we can and will continue to help lead families out of poverty, toward education, and sustainable employment, and hope. This is the pathway of promise.

…The beauty of City of Promise is that when we look at the people who feel trapped by poverty or other adverse circumstances, we always see promise and potential, not problems."