Why Village Green RVA?
For decades—even centuries—the village green was the heart of community and family activities.
The village green was where families frequently gathered in fun and fellowship throughout the week, and human needs were met by caring and compassionate families within the community.
While villages have now become cities—and families have grown exponentially in number, diversity, and complexity—people and compassionate organizations yearn to come together to be the village green for families and communities in the RVA region.
And that’s where you come in!
Leadership
Katie Kenyon,
Executive Director
As the Executive Director of Village Green RVA, Katie is a dedicated community leader committed to promoting healthy food accessibility and providing comprehensive wrap-around support for individuals and families in need. With a Master's in Divinity and a passion for community development, Katie brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of making a positive impact in the nonprofit sector.
Katie is a strategic thinker who understands the importance of a holistic approach to community well-being. Recognizing that food accessibility is often intertwined with various social and economic factors, she has championed the integration of wrap-around support services. Through partnerships with churches, other nonprofits, corporations, healthcare providers, mental health professionals, and employment agencies, Katie’s passion and guidance ensures that individuals and families receive the comprehensive assistance they need to thrive.
Katie and her husband Danny have 4 children (ranging in age from 6 to 23!) and have been foster parents through Richmond City Department of Social Services. Together, they are very involved in the Greater Richmond area’s many offerings for service and experiences.
Chris Winans,
Executive Chef
At the age of five, Chris’s stepmother allowed him to explore the wonders of cooking by teaching, then turning him loose in her kitchen. His passion for cooking has grown over the fifty-nine years since. He gains much satisfaction when his food gathers people together, and he sees the joy it brings to others. He has a deep desire to meet the needs of the community by providing healthy food through many outlets, such as online ordered grab-and-go meals as well as in-person and online cooking classes.
Chris holds a B.A. in Sacred Music and a Master of Divinity with Church Music. He has years of experience cooking for large groups of people both as a Minister of Music/Worship in churches and in commercial kitchens. While serving in ministry positions, he cooked for a Bed & Breakfast part-time, then served as Sous Chef for a local wedding venue. Living overseas as a missionary afforded him the opportunity to use his talents to reach out to and develop relationships with the nationals. It also gave him a strong passion to explore the cuisines of many ethnicities. He and Deborah, his wife of 38 years, have three children and two grandchildren.
Sarah Vancil,
Director of Community Engagement
Inspired from a young age by the way her parents served in their local church, Sarah exudes a genuine passion for nurturing individuals and fostering community growth. She has always had a drive to serve others, whether that be through her 14 years of experience in a music classroom, volunteering at her local church, or on service trips. With a lifelong dedication to education and service, Sarah’s journey with Village Green signifies a continued commitment to forging impactful connections and contributing to transformative programs.
Sarah holds a Bachelor's in Music Education from Wingate University and a Master's in Music Education from Boston University. Her teaching career has taken her to both public and private schools in North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Sarah’s experience with students and their families has deeply impacted her understanding of the pivotal role community support plays in shaping the trajectory of children’s lives.
Since relocating to Richmond with her husband, Taylor, and their two children in January 2021, they have enjoyed exploring the area, trying new restaurants, and continuing to seek ways to create meaningful change together as they make Richmond their home.
