Our Mission
Rise Up Stay Up Foundation provides disaster relief, supports community recovery, and empowers youth and underserved communities through sustainable, resilience-driven initiatives that create lasting impact locally and globally.
Our Vision
We envision a world where communities are equipped to recover, rebuild, and thrive beyond adversity — where every individual, especially the next generation, has access to the resources, support, and opportunities needed to succeed.
How we got started
Rise Up Stay Up Foundation was born from a deep commitment to serve and uplift communities during times of need.
In the aftermath of hurricane damage in Jamaica, we witnessed firsthand the challenges families (including our immediate families) and communities faced — from disrupted daily life to limited access to essential resources. What began as an effort to provide immediate support quickly revealed a greater need: not just for relief in moments of crisis, but for ongoing support that helps communities recover, rebuild, and move forward stronger than before.
This experience inspired the creation of Rise Up Stay Up Foundation — an organization dedicated to responding to urgent needs while also investing in long-term solutions that empower individuals and strengthen communities.
Today, our work continues to be guided by that same purpose: to stand with communities in times of hardship and to help create pathways toward resilience, growth, and opportunity.
We are building more than a nonprofit — we are building a movement rooted in compassion, action, and the belief that when we rise together, we build stronger communities.
Our Values
Compassion
We lead with empathy and care, meeting people where they are and responding with understanding and respect.
Community
We believe in the power of connection and collaboration, working together to create meaningful and lasting change.
Resilience
We are committed to helping communities not only recover from hardship, but grow stronger through it.
Integrity
We operate with transparency, accountability, and a deep sense of responsibility to those we serve and those who support us.
Impact
We focus on creating real, measurable change — both in moments of immediate need and in long-term community development.
Our Values come to life through action.
Join us in creating meaningful impact.
Meet the Leadership Team
Donna Tingling
Founder & Executive Director
My name is Donna Tingling, and I am passionate about serving others and uplifting communities through compassion, outreach, and action.
Witnessing the challenges faced by families impacted by hurricane damage in Jamaica reinforced the importance of not only responding in times of need, but being part of the long-term recovery and rebuilding process. It became clear that meaningful impact requires both immediate action and sustained support.
Through Rise Up Stay Up, I am committed to creating impact, restoring hope, and building stronger futures.
I live by one simple truth: If you’re not serving, you’re not living.
— Donna Tingling
Charo Ferrier
Founder & Board Chair
As someone with roots in Jamaica, witnessing the impact of hurricane damage on communities and families made the need for support feel immediate and real. What began as a desire to help in a moment of crisis quickly grew into something greater.
I realized that true impact goes beyond immediate relief — it requires ongoing support that helps communities recover, rebuild, and grow stronger over time.
That realization led to the creation of Rise Up Stay Up Foundation.
This work reflects my commitment to serve, to give back, and to help create lasting change in communities that need it most.
— Charo Ferrier
Ashlae Guilliams
Director of Community Engagement
Hello, my name is Ashlae Guilliams, I am a first-generation American born to two Guyanese parents. I was raised with the belief that hard work is non-negotiable and that nothing in life is simply handed to you. That upbringing shaped my drive, discipline, and determination to create a better future, not only for myself, but for others as well.
Through my professional experience in special education and nonprofit work, I’ve seen how powerful guidance, structure, and support can be in helping people grow beyond their circumstances. I’ve also learned that trying to succeed in isolation makes the journey harder, and that community is often the difference between surviving and truly thriving.
My passion for service comes from a genuine desire to see people win. As a board member of Rise Up Stay Up, I’m committed to supporting Caribbean communities by helping create access to resources, opportunities, and mentorship for those who are ready to elevate their lives and build something greater.
— Ashlae Guilliams
Initiate a Partnership for Lasting Impact
We believe meaningful impact is created through strong partnerships. Whether you are a city, business, school, or community organization, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate and make a difference together.
If you’re interested in partnering with Rise Up Stay Up Foundation, please complete the form. Our team will review your submission and follow up with next steps.