WELCOME HOME
WE ARE THE STAY PROJECT
AS YOUNG PEOPLE FROM APPALACHIA, WE ARE CONNECTING ACROSS OUR REGION TO MAKE OUR HOME COMMUNITIES PLACES WE CAN AND WANT TO STAY.
WHO WE ARE
The STAY Together Appalachian Youth Project is a FOR youth BY youth, network of young people aged 14-30, who are committed to supporting one another to make Appalachia a place we can and want to STAY.
WHAT WE DO
The youth-led STAY Project is doing what few other organizations have done:
1. Having youth ask each other what they want and need in order to stay and organize the health of their home communities;
2. Connecting them with the resources and skills they need to make their visions for Central and Southern Appalachia come true;
3. Recognizing that there are young leaders in the region who already creating change and legitimizing their expertise.
Black Appalachian Young & Rising
Black Appalachian Young & Rising (BAYR) is a regional network dedicated to connecting, amplifying, & empowering young Black youth living in Central and Southern Appalachia. BAYR’s mission is to empower Black youth in Appalachia. We resist isolation by inviting Black youth to explore Black Appalachian identity in ways that ring true to our histories and lived experiences. We aim to create meaningful, authentic, and joyful spaces for Black youth to celebrate and reclaim the many shades and melodies of our existence. And we are committed to expanding opportunities for young people by cultivating holistic circles of support at the local level throughout Appalachia.
LET’S TALK ABOUT APPALACHIA.
STAY works to both recognize and affirm Appalachia’s rich, complex history while also staying in tune with the stories, issues, and people that make Appalachia what it is today. Through our collective efforts to connect, organize, and build community with other youth activists in the region, STAY hopes to write a new page in Appalachia’s history and to ultimately make the place we call home a place of equity, community, and opportunity for all.
STAY MEMBER SUPPORT FUND (Mini-Stipend)
Are you 14-30 organizing a project or event in your Appalachian community?
We are able to offer up to $1000 to support members’ projects that align with our mission and core beliefs. Apply here.