About Valley Forward
Who is Valley Forward?
By Brad Blum
Feb 8, 2008 - 11:32:23 AM

“Who Is Valley Forward?”

Given recent comments in the news and from opponents to the “Rockledge” project regarding Valley Forward, I feel compelled to set the record straight regarding the organization – who we are, why it was established, what we have accomplished and where we are going.

Valley Forward is a relatively new organization with over 100 members and is comprised mostly of young professionals from the Roanoke Valley.  

We are community volunteers with full-time jobs.   Many have families, including young children.   As volunteers, we receive no compensation and expect no financial reward for our efforts.   Rather, what has brought us together is a true passion for positive change and helping the Roanoke Valley become the best it can be.  

Early on, Valley Forward’s founders discussed our community’s civic climate and decided to be about solutions and new ideas and not dwell on the struggles our community has faced in the past.   In short, we wanted to be FOR things, propose new ideas and look toward the future.

When I was asked to join Valley Forward, two things immediately struck me:  

1. Passion: This group is passionate about Roanoke and making it even better.

2. Action: This group is clearly about identifying solutions and working to implement these ideas.   Valley Forward is focused on real results, not just commenting on issues or contemplating possibilities.

While Rockledge has been Valley Forward’s most visible project, the group has already accomplished many things in only 13 months.   Some highlights:

1. Gallop 4 The Greenways: The initial G4G in 2007, a race and party to raise funds and awareness for the Greenways, was a tremendous success.   In our inaugural year, we had 371 participants and over 750 people came out to enjoy the post race festivities, which included a catered meal and live music. Valley Forward raised over $35,000 for the Greenways program and created much needed awareness.   Pathfinders for Greenways recognized our organization as their “Volunteer of the Year.”

2. Forum for the Future: The 2007 Forum was a high-energy, interactive event that gave citizens the opportunity to voice their opinions about dozens of community issues, to stimulate dialogue and action, and to connect community members and civic leaders to discuss a common future for our region.   The event included a keynote address by Tiki Barber.

3. Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership Capital Campaign: Valley Forward members participated in the capital campaign “Partners for Prosperity” which raised $6.7 million to further the partnership’s goals.   The Bronze Campaign was co-chaired by two Valley Forward board members.

4. Community Outreach: Valley Forward has participated in over 50 meetings with various groups around the valley to discuss our initiatives and to listen to different perspectives on how to improve Roanoke.   Some of these groups include various Kiwanis Clubs and Rotary Clubs, the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Square Society, the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club and the NewVa Corridor Technology Council. Our board members alone are now volunteering numerous non-profit boards or commissions, as a direct result of Valley Forward’s formation.

5. Support of the Arts Community : Sarah Tune Doherty, a Valley Forward Board Member, founded Young@Art, which allows people to enjoy a mix of cultural events as a group, while providing important support to the Valley’s art scene.   Additionally, many members of Valley Forward are involved with the Contemporaries, a group engaging the younger generation with the arts.

6. Organizational Cooperation:  Valley Forward worked very closely with the other young professional organizations to establish a Young Professionals Council, which is designed to help our organizations communicate our respective goals and the specific programs offered by the groups.   This open dialogue allows all of the organizations that target our generation to work together to achieve our common goals, get people engaged, and support each other’s specific missions.

7. Civic Education :   Valley Forward partnered with the Roanoke Jaycees and NewVA Connects to host a series of non-partisan, informational political education events to engage our peers in the local political process and offer a means to speak out for their dreams and ideas for the region.  

While it’s been a busy 13 months, we are only just getting started. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you are open to new ideas and trying to find solutions.   Ultimately, it takes action to make things happen.   Valley Forward takes action.   The Rockledge proposal is not the only project Valley Forward will work to accomplish.   This is only the start.   With more support today, we can all achieve more tomorrow.