RICHMOND, VA— This year, twelve students from communities managed by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) will be attending college. Three of these students have won scholarships from the Virginia Association of Housing and Community Development Officials (VAHCDO) to help pay tuition. An additional nine have been accepted to four-year colleges and universities to further their education.
RRHA’s 2022 collegebound students are a story of hope and perseverance. We are proud to be a part of the ‘village’ that nurtures and celebrates the spirit, creativity and hard work of our students who have overcome great obstacles to achieve and thrive.
Sheila Hill-Christian, RRHA Interim CEO
Graduating and being accepted to college is a critical step in changing the environment and outlook of these young people
Ralph Stuckey, RRHA Vice President of Resident Services
RRHA’s “Village” includes those who partner with and serve the Agency’s youth by nurturing, correcting, cultivating, and mentoring the students in public housing communities. Generous donors such as Hill Christian Consulting, Plumber Near Me, Virtual Entertainment Partners, and others have donated to provide the items and materials needed to jumpstart these students’ college careers. Items include furnishings and essentials for dorm rooms, toiletries, school equipment, and much more.
These items and gift cards will be distributed at a private event for the students, their families, and contributing sponsors. The event will take place on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at the Virginia Union University Living and Learning Center, located at 1500 N Lombardy Street in Richmond, VA.
The following are the RRHA college-bound students and the colleges they are attending:
- Jama Ibrahim* (Mosby Court) – University of Mary Washington
- Paris Lance* (Mosby Court) – James Madison University
- Khari Sanders* (Mosby Court) – Old Dominion University
- Daeshaun Brown (Hillside Court) – Ferrum College
- Shaquita Evans (Mosby Court) –Virginia State University
- Dorez Gall (Fairfield Court) – Virginia State University
- Vanity Gilmore-Mondrey (Mosby Court) – Virginia State University
- Suado Maday (HCVP Community) – Virginia Commonwealth University
- Amari McLaurin (Mosby Court) – J. Sargeant Reynolds
- La’Shay Penn (Hillside Court) – Ferrum College
- Deja Smith (Fairfield Court) – Virginia Union University
- Ter’quan Thomas (Hillside Court) – Undecided
* VAHCDO scholarship winner
Those interested in learning more and contributing a tax-deductible donation toward RRHA’s scholarship program for these students can contribute online at rrha.com/scholarships.