We're about MORE than just giving

Delaina Carraway is a founding member of the Board of Directors for Save Rochester Inc.. She is a Rochester native and a school teacher in the Rochester City School District. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Nazareth College with a minor in Youth Development. She has also earned a Master of Science in Education from Nazareth College with a certification to instruct children from birth through 2nd grade in both general education and special education. 

Delaina has a passion for working with youth and growing up in the inner city has continued to inspire her to give back to her community. She has helped to facilitate and cook hot breakfast meals for church members and those in need in our community. She has put together Thanksgiving baskets with help from Food Link and has played a key role in delegating sign-ups and registering participants for volunteer roles in community engagement. 

Delaina is currently advocating for a more culturally responsive curriculum in Rochester city schools to bring about a more equitable Teachers’ Union, with an emphasis on transparency and collaborative communication. 

Timothy Ellis is a founding member of the Board of Directors for Save Rochester Inc.. He is a native of Rochester, N.Y. and a small business owner. He has successfully owned and operated his business since 2016, wherein he employs and empowers what he considers to be disenfranchised members of Rochester’s community. 

New York State transport, Tim Ellis' moving company, primarily employs Black men, including those with criminal records and those without formal education or vocational training. While in High School, he  realized that traditional academic education did not serve his personal goals, so he left school early to earn his General Equivalency Diploma from Monroe Community College and afterward studied Behavioral Science. Eventually, he found himself serving the needs of underrepresented youth in New York City while working for the  St. Christopher-Ottilie organization. 

While helping youth at St. Christopher-Ottilie with life skills and daily activities, Tim realized that exposing youth to education was essential in ensuring their success as productive citizens. His experience with youth motivated him to provide opportunities for underrepresented populations in his hometown of Rochester, N.Y.

Vincent French is a founding member of the Board of Directors for Save Rochester Inc.. He earned an Associates degree in Liberal Arts from Alfred State College, then earned his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from SUNY Brockport.

Vincent completed his Master of Arts in Teaching from Empire State College and is currently enrolled in the Educational Administration program at SUNY Brockport. He has been happily married since 2011 and he has 3 young children of whom he is extremely proud. His strong sense of family values and education gives him the motivation to invest in the mission of Save Rochester Inc. 

Vincent believes that the exodus of major businesses and people leaving Rochester has greatly contributed to the poverty rate. He is committed to bringing programs to Rochester in order to revitalize his community. 

 LaShara Evans began her journey in education with the Rochester City School District. After graduating from the School of the Arts, she obtained her bachelors in Public Health from the University of Rochester. She then received her master’s in education with a special certification in Urban Education from the University of Rochester’s Warner school of education.  During Evans’ 16 years in the district she has served in various capacities and leadership roles. As a teacher, she completed the Noyce Master Teacher Fellowship program, which prepared math and science teachers to create a critical mass of teacher leaders. Through a combination of coursework, mentored experiences and on-site opportunities, she developed knowledge and skills in STEM content and pedagogy, STEM coaching, and STEM professional development and leadership. As a Noyce Fellow, Evans received her school building and district leadership certification. Evans is also a graduate of the NYCLA Aspiring Principals Program, which develops passionate leaders who are driven to increase outcomes and opportunities for RCSD students, families, and schools.  

Evans transitioned to leadership as an Expanded Learning Resource Coordinator at Abraham Lincoln School #22. Her role ensured students had more and better time at school while connecting with the community. This included creating a program where students had access to more time with core subjects along with enrichment activities. The following year, she was named Assistant Principal at school #22. Evans’ contributions as an Assistant Principal included significant improvements in attendance, family connections and school discipline. The school’s accountability standing improved from receivership to priority and then to focus during her almost 4 years at #22. In late March of 2019, she was named acting Principal of Flower City School #54. In just a few months, the school’s suspensions and discipline referrals decreased dramatically. Later, in June, she was named the permanent Principal of Flower City School #54.  

Evans is also the Executive Director of First Community Interfaith Institute Inc., which was started by her father, the late Lawrance Lee Evans Sr. One aspect of the organization is to provide tutoring to students at a low and affordable rate. Evans is also an adjunct professor at the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education where she teachers Race, Class, Gender and Disabilities and Schools. She is currently a Phd student at Warner School.  Evans prides herself as an instructional leader while creating a culture and climate conducive to teaching and learning. She continues to work within the DEI field by providing professional developments and working as a Diversity ambassador at the Warner School. She also serves on the Rochester Education Fellowship Advisory Council.