Immigration Support
Guidance, referrals and help navigating processes for individuals and families.
Richmond, Virginia
Compassion in Action for Underserved Communities
The Daya Project is a community advocacy and communications initiative connecting people across Virginia with immigration support, mutual aid, and advocacy.
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Our Mission Statement
A Richmond-based initiative built on compassion and service
The Daya Project is a community advocacy and communications initiative focused on immigration support, mutual aid, legislative advocacy, public policy research, and community outreach for underserved communities. We work alongside students, researchers, nonprofit organizations, and public advocates from across Virginia and the United States to connect individuals with resources, advocacy, and support services throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Public communications, outreach materials, advocacy campaigns, and organizational content associated with The Daya Project may be written, edited, reviewed, or distributed through a private communications and policy consulting network affiliated with the initiative.
The project is led by Ally Klotz, a graduate of Richard Bland College with an Associate of Science in Business and an incoming junior at Virginia State University pursuing a degree in Political Science with a concentration in immigration law.
The name “Daya” represents compassion, empathy, and selfless service. The project is named in honor of Dayanara Tamayo Saldana, reflecting a commitment to dignity, community, and advocacy for those whose voices are often overlooked.
Organization details
- Name
- The Daya Project
- Based in
- Richmond, Virginia
- Service area
- Commonwealth of Virginia
- Led by
- Ally Klotz, Founder and Director
What We Do
Five areas of community work
Mutual Aid
Neighbour-to-neighbour support with essentials, transport and emergency needs.
Legislative Advocacy
Tracking bills and bringing community voices to decision-makers in Virginia.
Public Policy Research
Research and briefings produced with students, researchers and partners.
Community Outreach
Workshops, tabling and communications that connect people to resources.
Gallery
The network in action
Photos and short films from The Daya Project assemblies, community workshops, and advocacy at the United Nations. Use the arrows, the thumbnails, or the left and right arrow keys to move through the collection.
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Community Voices
What neighbours
and partners say
“When my work permit renewal was stuck, they sat with me for two hours, translated every page and found a lawyer who took my case for free. I stopped feeling like I was doing this alone.”
Rosa M.
Community member, Southside Richmond
Staff & Volunteers
The people behind the project
The Daya Project is a small, growing team of organizers, students and volunteers based in Richmond, working across immigration support, mutual aid, policy research and outreach.
Ally Klotz
Founder and Director
Partnerships, advocacy and press
Ally holds an Associate of Science in Business from Richard Bland College and is an incoming junior at Virginia State University studying Political Science with a concentration in immigration law. She leads the project's advocacy and community partnerships.
Email AllyMarisol Ventura
Immigration Support Lead
Immigration support and referrals
Marisol is a DOJ-accredited representative in training who guides families through work authorisation, asylum and green card paperwork. She coordinates referrals to pro bono attorneys across the Richmond metro area.
Email MarisolDarnell Prince
Mutual Aid Coordinator
Mutual aid requests and distribution
Darnell runs the weekly grocery and household goods distribution out of Southside Richmond and keeps the emergency fund request queue moving within 48 hours.
Email DarnellPriya Raghunathan
Policy Research Associate
Public policy research and legislative tracking
Priya tracks immigration, housing and language access bills through the Virginia General Assembly and writes the plain-language briefs the project shares with partners before each session.
Email PriyaHector Alcántara
Community Outreach Associate
Events, tabling and volunteer coordination
Hector organises know-your-rights workshops with churches, laundromats and school parent groups, and onboards new volunteers for tabling shifts across Richmond and Petersburg.
Email HectorGrace Whitfield
Communications Associate
Newsletters, social media and outreach materials
Grace produces the project's bilingual newsletter and resource flyers, and manages the Instagram account where most families first find the intake form.
Email Grace
Interested in joining the team as a volunteer or student researcher? Email ally.klotz@dayaproject.org and tell us what you would like to work on.
Contact
Reach out today.
Whether you need support, want to volunteer, or represent an organization interested in partnering on advocacy, we would like to hear from you. Reach us in the way that works best for you.
- Emailally.klotz@dayaproject.org
- IntakeRequest support
- Based inRichmond, Virginia
- Instagram@official_dayaproject
Every message is read by a member of The Daya Project team, and we reply within a few working days. Support is available in Spanish on request.