Never in a million years did I think that I would fall in love with Roanoke. After attending Roanoke College in tiny Salem, Virginia for four years, I desperately wanted the world to be my oyster. Thoughts of moving to Charlotte, D.C., Atlanta, and NYC and seeing the world sounded glamorous and exciting, but the closer it came to graduation, the more I realized that I wanted to stay exactly where I was. Not only was I comfortable with my beautiful surroundings, but I really felt as if could really make a difference living in the Roanoke area.

With the connections that I had made through my involvement at Roanoke College as an English major with a communications concentration, I quickly found myself writing fashion articles for Bella Magazine for a brief time. Additionally, I became the Human Resources Technology Specialist at Delta Dental of Virginia, which has been a blessing to work for a great company.

Growing up in Winchester, VA my parents were extremely active in the community and taught me at a young age to get involved and give back. I became involved in the Junior League of the Roanoke Valley and The Contemporaries, which has allowed me to meet so many incredible people. Whether it’s chatting about our latest read in our book club with a few glasses of wine from Wine Gourmet, letting our dogs run loose at Six Wags Dog Park, taking a hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway, or gobbling up some s’mores at the Fork in the Alley, my friends and I are always having a blast.

I really am an advocate for living in the Roanoke area, especially when I hear my friends who live in large cities complaining about their high cost of living, long, dreaded commutes to work, and not feeling as if they’re a “part” of they live. In Roanoke, you can make a difference and your voice will be heard—not to mention that the connections you make here will help you throughout your life. I’m blessed to live in this area and look forward to many more days in the Roanoke area.

• Lauren’s Occupation: Human Resources Technology Specialist, Delta Dental of Virginia
• Lauren’s Hometown: Winchester, VA
• Lauren’s Social Profiles: Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace

I am a recent college graduate who wants to change the world. Typical story, I guess, but I chose an atypical location and am so glad I did. Growing up in Northern Virginia and graduated from the University of Virginia, I decided that I wanted to move to a friendly city rich with non-profits, with less congestion, a lower cost of living and slower pace of life, surrounded by nature. I wanted to develop a career in non-profits that would allow me to better the community in which I lived. I soon discovered that a great way to do that is to move to Roanoke and work for United Way of Roanoke Valley. When I started last May at United Way, I really had no idea of what driven people and a great organization can accomplish. I am learning about the challenges that the Roanoke Valley faces, but I also see how many people there are here that really want to make a difference. This community encourages me to do big things and I am excited about what the future will bring.

I got my idealistic notions through my involvement with Alternative Spring Break (ASB) at UVA as a participant and on the Executive Board as well as some non-profit internships. I learned from ASB that there is always something we can do to help someone and that I wanted to seek out these sorts of opportunities. I still hang on to this ideal, and am now leading an ASB trip through United Way. I believe that the young people of today are true change-makers and I want to mobilize them to enact that change.

Upon moving to Roanoke, I realized that I wanted to be a part of showing young professionals here that they have the power to really affect a community for the better and that Roanoke is a great place to do it. United Way of Roanoke Valley is creating a Young Leaders Society (name to be determined) to bring young professionals together with goals of service, philanthropy, awareness, and personal professional success. I am happy to be working on the project with some great volunteers and successful young professionals from our community.

I am excited for what the future holds for young professionals in the Roanoke Valley and young people in non-profits more specifically. I am so happy to call the Roanoke Valley my new home with its relaxed, friendly, and encouraging atmosphere. I believe Roanoke to be a great place to live, work, relax, socialize, explore, grow, and most of all, make a difference.

• Jas’s Occupation: Development Manager, United Way of Roanoke Valley
• Jas’s Hometown: Fairfax County, VA
• Jas’s Social Profiles: Facebook