Holding Space

Ryan is a rising senior studying Political Science and International Studies. “I've been to seven countries and hope to visit a lot more in my lifetime. So far, my favorite pla

ce has been rural Kyrgyzstan.” But when he first arrived at VCU, he didn’t know anyone. “I’d never been to Richmond before. I had no idea what to do,” he recalled. An ad for Stories & Lunch led him to the Pace Center.

“I came to that first event not knowing anyone,” Ryan said. “But people really made the effort to learn my name and get to know me. That was huge. It felt like I had found my first real community on campus.”

That early experience of being seen and welcomed gave Ryan the confidence to branch out. Through someone he met at Pace, he joined RVA Adventures, a student org that explores Richmond. “I grew up in the suburbs of Northern Virginia, so living in a city was new. Exploring places like the art museum and the James River Park helped me start to really love Richmond.”

Ryan’s adventurous nature blended well with the spirit of connection he found at Pace. Over time, he not only participated in programs but also began leading them. His favorite was a Thanksgiving Potluck that brought together VCU students and members of Reveille United Methodist Church.

“The event was a big success—about 80 people came—and it gave me real confidence that I can make a difference by sharing my gifts,” he said. “It was powerful to realize that, as a VCU student, I could meaningfully contribute to a collaboration with older adults. The mix of perspectives made the event truly special.”

At Pace, Ryan learned skills that he now uses in the 10 student organizations he's a part of. “As a member of VCU’s Student Government, one of my main roles is connecting with students to gather their feedback. At Pace, I learned how to hold space for others—especially those who are shy or unsure of how to join a conversation. That’s helped me create environments where everyone can feel seen and heard.”

For Ryan, Pace has been a model of what inclusive, meaningful community can look like. “Pace exemplifies how to connect across differences, how to support others, and how to bring people together.” Thanks to your support, Pace can continue to help students like Ryan find community in Richmond.