When Caliyah Bennett talks about her path—from Richmond’s East End to Collegiate, to Denison University, and now to serving her community through AmeriCorps—she carries one theme through every story: possibility grows when someone shows up for you.
From the very beginning, what stood out to her was the way UP RVA showed up—consistently, intentionally, and with deep belief.
“My first real taste of generosity.”
“UP RVA has a hand in who I am today,” she says.
“When you have a family that isn’t your blood, but still shows up at your toughest moments? That was my first real taste of generosity. I’ll forever be grateful to UP RVA. Forever.”
Toby remembers that same spark:
Caliyah was full of energy. She showed me that there were no obstacles too big. She was willing to overcome any obstacle that came her way.
Turning lived experiences into purpose
Today, Caliyah serves as a Project Coordinator with AmeriCorps Recovery Corps, helping individuals facing substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health challenges transition back into the community.
Her passion for this work is deeply personal:
“I learned a lot about addiction through my mom’s journey to sobriety—about powerlessness and helplessness, but also about change. Her process made me want that for other people.”
And she’s not done growing. In the next five years, she hopes to be in law school or telling essential community stories through journalism. “Whether it’s law or writing, I want to be giving people the truth.”
Her message to future UP RVA students
“You don’t know how much you can get from this organization until you become part of it.
Let yourself be supported.
Let yourself be loved outside of just your family.
You’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t.”
Her message to those who make this work possible
“You’ll be building up a generation of leaders—and you may not even know it.
“I’m full of a lot of gratitude. Truly.”
