Our Mission
RISE-WV exists to Restore, Integrate, Support, and Empower West Virginians impacted by homelessness, generational poverty, and reentry after incarceration. Through coordinated services including housing stabilization, food security, health care access, workforce development, and community partnerships, RISE-WV helps individuals and families move from crisis toward long-term stability and opportunity
About Us
RISE-WV was founded on October 16, 2025, in response to a growing and urgent need across West Virginia. Individuals and families facing homelessness, justice involvement, food insecurity, and generational poverty often encounter systems that operate independently rather than collaboratively.
Housing resources may exist without employment pathways, workforce programs may lack access to stable shelter, and health care, food access, and reentry services are frequently disconnected. As a result, many West Virginians navigating multiple barriers must attempt to coordinate complex systems on their own, increasing the likelihood of continued instability. RISE-WV was created to bridge these gaps.
Our organization is built on the belief that lasting change requires a coordinated, person-centered approach that addresses immediate needs while creating clear pathways toward long-term stability. RISE-WV works to align essential supports including:
Housing stabilization
Food security
Health and behavioral health access
Workforce development and employment pathways
Reentry navigation and case management
Coordinated referrals to community partners
By bringing these supports together, RISE-WV serves as a central access point for individuals and families seeking stability and opportunity. West Virginia is home to many dedicated organizations doing critical work, yet individuals facing overlapping challenges often fall between service systems. RISE-WV strengthens the existing ecosystem by connecting services, filling gaps, and helping individuals navigate resources effectively.
RISE-WV is currently finalizing its legal structure and organizational infrastructure to ensure strong governance, transparency, and sustainability. This foundational phase allows the organization to launch programs intentionally and responsibly while positioning RISE-WV for measurable community impact.
At its core, RISE-WV is grounded in dignity, belonging, and opportunity. We believe every person has the capacity to rise when given the right support, a stable foundation, and a clear path forward. Through collaboration and compassion, RISE-WV is committed to building stronger futures for individuals, families, and communities across West Virginia.
Clayburne Stevens is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of RISE-WV. Driven by a deep conviction that family matters and that every individual deserves a safe and stable place to rebuild their life, he leads with a vision of a stronger West Virginia where opportunity, dignity, and support are accessible to all and no one is left behind. With more than 15 years of leadership experience across housing, healthcare, transportation, and complex operations, Clay brings a people-centered approach grounded in strategic planning, financial oversight, and human-centered program design, enabling RISE-WV to deliver integrated services including housing, food security, education, healthcare access, and pathways to long-term stability. He holds an MBA from Marshall University and has led multi-site care operations, managed substantial property portfolios, and built high-performing teams focused on measurable impact. Recognized as an Emerging Leader of the Year and holding multiple professional certifications, Clay pairs professional excellence with a lifelong commitment to service through volunteer work with organizations such as West Virginia Special Olympics, domestic violence shelters, Boys & Girls Clubs, and the American Legion. Driven by compassion and accountability, he is committed to mobilizing partnerships, empowering volunteers, and scaling solutions that help individuals rise above hardship, strengthen families, and rebuild communities across the Mountain State.
Our Team
Jack Moore serves as Chief Financial Officer at RISE-WV, bringing a powerful blend of financial acumen, technical expertise, and a deep-rooted commitment to community transformation. With an MBA from Marshall University and a B.S. in Computer Science from West Virginia University, Jack has spent nearly two decades supporting both public and private sector innovation, including key roles with the Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. His experience as a full-stack developer and systems analyst informs his strategic approach to financial management, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and long-term sustainability. At RISE-WV, Jack applies his skills to support the organization's mission of empowering individuals and families facing poverty and homelessness, viewing every budget and system not just as operational tools, but as pathways to meaningful, lasting change.
Wesley Dorcas serves as the Chief Operating Officer of RISE-WV, and is a trusted face in the Greater Charleston community, bringing years of dedicated local service and professionalism to our mission. A West Virginia State University graduate with a degree in Communications, Wesley has built a strong track record in organizational leadership, case management, and youth mentorship serving as a Child Protective Service Worker and Family Support Specialist with WVDHHR, and earlier managing community programs at the South Charleston Recreation Center. He is deeply committed to empowering young people as coach and mentor for school athletic teams, advocating for families, and fostering positive relationships across Charleston. Wesley’s passion for service, grounded in integrity and empathy, ensures RISE-WV delivers compassionate, effective support to individuals and families facing homelessness or poverty.
Sarah Hinkle serves on the Board of Directors of RISE-WV, bringing a grounded, real-world perspective shaped by family, work, and community life in West Virginia. A lifelong West Virginian, Sarah is a mother of two children in the public school system and the wife of a coal miner, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges facing working families, education, and the state’s labor force. Her professional background in the banking industry contributes valuable experience in financial responsibility, accountability, and sound decision-making, while her experience caring for the elderly provides a deep understanding of the needs of seniors and their families. Sarah represents the everyday West Virginian, and her lived experience allows her to help guide the organization’s mission with practical, common-sense solutions focused on real-world impact and meaningful support for the communities served.
Tyler Lafferty is a Board Member of RISE-WV and a subject matter expert in criminal justice, regulatory compliance, and public sector oversight. He holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from West Virginia State University and brings extensive experience from his work with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, where he investigated Medicaid fraud and helped safeguard public resources through complex regulatory and investigative processes. Tyler currently serves as an Energy Security Lead with the West Virginia Office of Energy, providing critical expertise at the intersection of federal and state compliance, program integrity, and risk mitigation. His background navigating highly regulated environments strengthens RISE-WV’s commitment to accountability and sustainable program design. Deeply aligned with RISE-WV’s mission, Tyler is a dedicated advocate for reducing recidivism and homelessness across West Virginia and contributes a systems-level perspective focused on long-term, measurable community impact.
Dr. Wendellena Mays is a highly respected physician specializing in internal and emergency medicine, bringing more than 30 years of clinical experience to the RISE-WV Board of Directors. A graduate of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, Dr. Mays embodies a deep commitment to medical excellence and community service. She successfully owned and independently operated a thriving medical practice in Clermont, Florida for many years, providing comprehensive, patient-centered care across a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. Dr. Mays has since brought her decades of medical expertise back to West Virginia, where she is dedicated to strengthening healthcare access for communities across the state. Her extensive frontline experience, leadership in private practice, and lifelong understanding of real-world healthcare challenges provide invaluable guidance to RISE-WV’s mission.