Advancing our mission of youth retention through educational, economic, and community building opportunities in the Upper Ohio Valley.

🎯 Professional/Personal Development
🎯 Civic Engagement 
🎯 Fun


MISSION

We are an independent, non-profit focusing on youth retention by bringing local youth, seasoned entrepreneurs, professionals, policy makers, and directors of commerce together to create space for our youth within the community.

VISION

Why Don’t You Stay Awhile creates the space for impactful and mutually beneficial relationships within our community to blossom; thus creating economic impact, the dreams of our youth to be actualized within the Upper Ohio Valley, and ultimately a reversal of our declining population. 

 




become a member - become a mentor - become a donor


BECOME A MEMBER


THIS IS COMMUNITY BY US AND FOR US.

✨ BECOME A MEMBER ✨



Develop Hone not only your professional skills, but improve yourself as a human
Network Build your network + community with other young, ambitious people while also uplifting the youth around you through engagement opportunities
Volunteer Give back + support causes that enhance the Upper Ohio Valley




👥 WHAT YOU’RE GETTING


🔌 Monthly Meetups


Evening Buzz

Forge connections with other young people in a social setting to further your network, capitalize on opportunities, and make genuine personal connections. We also highlight a local young professional each month for a chance to learn from them and enhance ourselves.

***Prospective members are always welcome.


Access to Our Member Directory

Access to Our Jobs Postings for the Coolest, Most Impactful Jobs in Town

Secret, Membership Only Beverages @ Evening Buzzes




Campus Touchdown

Bridge the gap by sharing our community with our collegiate students.

Three Free Workshops Per Membership Cycle and Discounts for the Rest
 Masterclasses taught by professionals within their field ranging from sales, interviewing, resume building, business card creation, natal chart readings, website building, government filings + tax preparation, professional engagement, with more being planned.




đź“Ś Quarterly Functions

Three Free Workshops (for members) Per Membership Cycle and Discounts for the Remaining Workshops 
(non-members are always encouraged to attend!)


 Masterclasses taught by professionals within their field ranging from sales, interviewing, resume building, business card creation, natal chart readings, website building, government filings + tax preparation, professional engagement, with more being planned.



🖇️ How to Join


Standard Membership is twelve months.




🫡 Member Expectations


Engage as much as possible, especially through event attendance. You extract as much as you give. 
Volunteer for at least two to three events per year.
Be Passionate to learn, grow, experience, share your gifts, and create a vibrant community for us to play, live + work.




upcoming events upcoming events upcoming events upcoming events upcoming events upcoming events




01/22 @ Attention to Detail
02/19 Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream

members + college students -- free
non-members -- $10 per event
6:30-7:30PM

High School Turn Ups

 01/?? @ ????

Campus Touchdown

01/?? @ ??

upcoming events upcoming events upcoming events upcoming events upcoming events upcoming events



12/18 Evening Buzz x Night Market @ Waterfront Hall

11/13 Evening Buzz @ Leva’s Jewelry

10/24 Evening Buzz @ Stages

09/24 Evening Buzz @ Outdated Threads


photos by Katie Bizanovich


past events past events past events past events past events past events


civic work




Board of Directors

Spencer Porterfounder + chair of the board

A native of the Ohio Valley, with pockets of time spent living in Europe, the US west coast, and the Hawaiian Islands, Spencer is so happy to be back home as the owner of a small business publishing St. Clairsville Living and Wheeling Neighbors magazines for the local communities. As a past bikini brand founder + designer, she’s had her pieces adorned by singer Halsey, models Candice Swanepoel, and Gigi Hadid on the pages of Sports lllustrated, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar. 

Fueled by possibility and the desire to connect people, Spencer offers a unique perspective on how shaping the Ohio Valley through a collective and creative approach can yeild results we never thought possible.
Timothy Judkinstreasurer


With five years of dedicated experience in the real estate industry, including three years as a Marketing Director, Timothy Judkins brings a wealth of expertise in digital content development. His background includes over six years as a Creative Director for a multimedia production company in Los Angeles and Atlanta. 

Driven by a passion for turning ideas into reality, Timothy is committed to using his skills to make a meaningful impact and advance the mission of WDYSA.
Vincent DeGeorge, PhD secretary

A lifelong West Virginian, scientist, writer, and community advocate. From Morgantown, WV Vincent earned his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Published on the front page of the Sunday New York Times, in Wheeling, WV DeGeorge pivoted to nonprofit grant writing and community projects where he has brought over $4 million into the Valley for local food systems, environmental issues, and community building. Vincent's work and service has included the House of Hagar, the Wheeling Human Rights Commission, Generation WV, the WALS Foundation, and Why Don't You Stay a While.
Megan Murphy
This Wheeling native is a dedicated registered nurse with over a decade in providing exceptional care to the Ohio Valley community. Throughout her nursing career she has gained expertise in various settings, including travel nursing. 

Currently serving as the Safety and Education Coordinator at Good Shepherd nursing home, Megan is focused on building the education department to enhance the quality of care and support for both staff and residents. 

Beyond her professional life, Megan is a devoted mother to her 14 year old daughter, Ava. Together they embrace the joys of living in Wheeling, creating lasting memories and fostering a nurturing environment, aligning with the mission of WDYSA. 
Kara Erwin
As the Regional Director for The Arc of Ohio’s eastern region, a national civil rights grassroots organization that advocates for people intellectual and developmental disabilities Kara is an Ohio Valley resident. Kara moved to Ohio from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania in 2006 and worked as a therapeutic provider for kids with autism and Union Local and Saint Clairsville schools where she honed the art of Applied Behavior Analysis. Through her current career, she networks with multiple counties in the valley freqently working with doctors, legislators, grant writers, school districts, first responders, and mental health/medical facilities in order to connect people in our community with the most helpful resources. 

Kara created the annual community event, Everyone’s Got Talent. This inclusion event highlights all abilities on stage. This experience has grown into a carnival with hometown heros and local social services on site.
Nic Provenzano
An Ohio Valley resident and owner of thrift shop, Outdated Threads, in Wheeling’s Centre Market. Nic believes in the importance of fostering community by frequently hosting local artists and bands to further the local arts culture.
Vondel Bell
An East Wheeling native and former football star at Wheeling Park High School and California University of Pennsylvania, is a mural, portrait and graphic artist. 

He’s created more than 500 different pieces of art including large murals that adorn the hallways of Bridge Street Middle School, Wheeling Park High School, West Liberty University, local hospitals and more! His portraits often depict sports, music, historical and social justice icons. 
Troy Zimmerman
BA Studio Fine Art Graduate from West Liberty University. Signed commercial model and scout for U Model Management in New York City. Founder of Ego Sum clothing company. 

Focused on growing personal creative ventures and expanding the opportunities of creatives in his hometown of Wheeling, West Virginia and the surrounding areas.
Rosemary Ketchum

Executive Director of the West Virginia Nonprofit Association advocating for nonprofits at the state and local levels. As a former mental health professional and City Councilor, Rosemary has worked closely on issues related to housing, small business, homelessness, and urban development. In 2023, Rosemary was named Appalachian Statesperson of the Year and has been a returning guest on MSNBC including profiles on The Today Show, Time Magazine, and CNN for her work in community organizing and politics.
Andrew Lewis

With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, he has worked at three local institutions, making significant contributions to student success and academic support. Originally from Shadyside, Ohio,  Andrew now resides in Wintersville, Ohio. A proud alumnus of West Liberty University, he holds a Master’s degree in Education and is dedicated to fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments. Passionate about advocacy, Andrew is committed to supporting students who haven't yet found their voice. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his husband and three dogs, as well as hanging out with friends and family.  
Katie Bizanovich
With 16 years of experience in the photography
industry, she is an award-winning
photographer and videographer at Technology
Services Group & TSG Photography with a
passion for making an impact. 

Katie has years of volunteer experience in
the Wheeling area & strives to continue
making an impact in the local community.
Katie brings her expertise in the digital space
forward, along with her social media
management and leadership experience to aid
in any way she can in the mission of inspiring
and lifting up others in the local community.
Jack Fisher

An Ohio Valley native hailing from Martin’s Ferry.  After graduating in 2009, he completed college at WVU and West Liberty where his focus was music education and psychology. He went on to grad school at Kent State where he earned his masters in education. As the current high school principal at Bridgeport Schools, he lives in the district  with my wife, Rebecca, and our two young children, Jacob and Riley. His hobbies include carpentry, building, and anything that involves house renovations. Jack is dedicated to his community, and especially our youngest members hence his deep involvement in youth retention in the Ohio Valley.


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2024 - St. Clairsville, OH - 740-310-8754 - Why Don’t You Stay Awhile - All Rights Reserved