Our Mission
Rays of Sunlight promotes mental health, inspires self-love, and builds community through the arts and education, for students ages 12 to 18 years old.
Our Mission
Rays of Sunlight promotes mental health, inspires self-love, and builds community through the arts and education, for students ages 12 to 18 years old.
It Takes A Village
Through collaborative efforts, sharing information and uniting for the greater good, we can challenge ourselves to impact and leave an imprint on as many Sunrays as possible.
Mental Health Is Important
It is never too early to discuss mental wellness. Teens have a lot to deal with and sometimes lack outlets or the ways to express mental health issues or concerns.
Embrace Diversity
Our differences are what make us beautiful, unique, and powerful individuals. We empower our team and our Sunrays to embrace diversity, no matter how they identify.
Love Yourself
Everyone has a superpower, a talent or skill that makes them uniquely remarkable. We believe in empowering people to find their light and love themselves for having it.
It Takes A Village
Through collaborative efforts, sharing information and uniting for the greater good, we can challenge ourselves to impact and leave an imprint on as many Sunrays as possible.
Mental Health Is Important
It is never too early to discuss mental wellness. Teens have a lot to deal with and sometimes lack outlets or the ways to express mental health issues or concerns.
Embrace Diversity
Our differences are what make us beautiful, unique, and powerful individuals. We empower our team and our Sunrays to embrace diversity, no matter how they identify.
Love Yourself
Everyone has a superpower, a talent or skill that makes them uniquely remarkable. We believe in empowering people to find their light and love themselves for having it.
It Takes A Village
Through collaborative efforts, sharing information and uniting for the greater good, we can challenge ourselves to impact and leave an imprint on as many Sunrays as possible.
Mental Health Is Important
It is never too early to discuss mental wellness. Teens have a lot to deal with and sometimes lack outlets or the ways to express mental health issues or concerns.
Embrace Diversity
Our differences are what make us beautiful, unique, and powerful individuals. We empower our team and our Sunrays to embrace diversity, no matter how they identify.
Love Yourself
Everyone has a superpower, a talent, or skill that makes them uniquely remarkable. We believe in empowering people to find their light and love themselves for having it.
Our Story
Rays of Sunlight was founded by our CEO, Daraiha Greene. At 27 years old, she realized that she can turn her pain into growth and help others see that there is no such thing as a “traditional” family.
Daraiha Greene CEO of Rays of Sunlight
The Rays of Sunlight Board
As a teen, her tight-knit family of four was divided, leaving her and her sister to
split time amongst her divorced parents. The breakup and subsequent marriages affected the
entire household and prompted Daraiha to question her self-image, her future, and that of her family.
Instead of allowing the pain and confusion of the difficult experience to
define her, Daraiha found peace in the arts. It was her self-imposed therapy that
helped her get grounded and focus her energy on positive outlets in her life.
With the unconditional love from her parents, support from her mentors and creative expression
through dance, music, and theater, Daraiha was able to heal and find the light at the end of what could
have been a dark tunnel. With Rays of Sunlight and the invaluable support of her team, she is on a
mission to use her light to give back and inspire teens to heal and shine through art and education.
As a teen, her tight-knit family of four was divided, leaving her and her sister to
split time amongst her divorced parents. The breakup and subsequent marriages affected the entire household and prompted Daraiha to question her self-image, her future, and that of her family.
Instead of allowing the pain and confusion of the difficult experience to define her, Daraiha found peace in the arts. It was her self-imposed therapy that helped her get grounded and focus her energy on positive outlets in her life.
With the unconditional love from her parents, support from her mentors and creative expression through dance, music, and theater, Daraiha was able to heal and find the light at the end of what could have been a dark tunnel. With Rays of Sunlight and the invaluable support of her team, she is on a mission to use her light to give back and inspire teens to heal and shine through art and education.
Our Story
Rays of Sunlight was founded in March 2018 by our CEO Daraiha Greene. At 27 years old, she realized that she can turn her pain into growth and help others see that there is no such thing as a “traditional” family.
Daraiha Greene CEO of Rays of Sunlight
The Rays of Sunlight Board
As a teen, her tight-knit family of four was divided, leaving her and her sister to split time amongst her divorced parents. The breakup and subsequent marriages affected the entire household and prompted Daraiha to question her self-image, her future, and that of her family.
Instead of allowing the pain and confusion of the difficult experience to define her, Daraiha found peace in the arts. It was her self-imposed therapy that helped her get grounded and focus her energy on positive outlets in her life.
With the unconditional love from her parents, support from her mentors and creative expression through dance, music, and theater, Daraiha was able to heal and find the light at the end of what could have been a dark tunnel. With Rays of Sunlight and the invaluable support of her team, she is on a mission to use her light to give back and inspire teens to heal and shine through art and education.
Paid Speaking Engagements
Throughout the academic year, Rays of Sunlight staff and affiliates partner with schools to offer guest keynotes and workshops that bring students and faculty together. We focus on mindfulness, pro-social skills, business development, and start dialogue shaping future conversations about mental health.
Donate to Rays of Sunlight
We want to reach as many Sunrays as possible. With your thoughtful contribution, we will fund program necessities including, catering to provide healthy meals, travel, and other materials that will make our conferences and programs shine.
Together, we can provide a brighter future for tomorrow’s leaders.
We appreciate your donation!
Donate to Rays of Sunlight
We want to reach as many Sunrays as possible. With your thoughtful contribution, we will fund program necessities including, catering to provide healthy meals, travel, and other materials that will make our conferences and programs shine.
Together, we can provide a brighter future for tomorrow’s leaders.
We appreciate your donation!
What We Do
Rays of Sunlight exists to provide Sunrays — students between ages 12 to 18 years of age who join our organization — access to resources, support, and the necessary skills they need to thrive in society. We want Sunrays to understand the importance of mental maintenance and mental health and teach them how to channel their energy in productive ways through arts and education.
In order to best support our Sunrays, we have designed semi-annual conferences, a Midsummer Mindfulness Intensive program and other empowering events. All of our programs are rooted in improving mental health awareness, self-esteem, prosocial skills, and business leadership skills. Sunrays will feel liberated to have the option to choose from four uniquely designed growth tracks that develop creativity and plant the seeds for career development in every Sunray.
We believe everyone has a journey, and our Sunrays deserve a safe and welcoming environment to express themselves through the magic and healing power of art. We want them to feel secure, independent, appreciated, and accepted from the moment they step into our light.
Our Events & Programs
Rays of Sunlight Youth Spring Conference
Our annual youth conferences set the stage for Sunrays to have a fun-filled day of learning, community, and empowerment. The goal is to encourage creative expression through art and education while highlighting the importance of mental wellness and how it impacts the ability to be comfortable and confident in their skin.
We will focus on...
- Communication
- Self Empowerment & Self Reflection
- Acceptance
- Self Awareness & Introspection
- Mindfulness
- Productivity
- Team Building
- Goal Setting
- Business & Manifestation
Which Growth Track Is Right For You?
Culinary Nutrition
Sunrays who choose this path will discuss various aspects of home economics and nutrition in interactive and fun ways. They will get insight on healthy eating habits and learn cool and fun recipes for healthy, simple and delicious snacks.
We will introduce them to dining etiquette and the importance of sharing meals with loved ones. Sunrays will also have an opportunity to share their cultural backgrounds and learn about international cuisine.
Performing Arts
Sunrays will embark on a journey to achieve creative liberation. Our goal is for participants to leverage the Performing Arts growth track to relax, get grounded, achieve greater levels of empathy, and form strong connections with their accompanying peers.
Sunrays will feel empowered to express themselves in positive ways with exercises rooted in theater, interpretive dance, sensory, improvisation, storytelling, and reflection.
Sports Executive Administration
Sunrays will get a front-row seat to what it is like to be in the sports industry. From understanding different job functions to what it is like to close a deal, we will equip students with analytical thinking practices via mock drafts and other role-playing scenarios.
Sunrays will also build their dream teams. They will love learning how to place and gauge the value of players, creating draft boards and value charts, trading players, and crunching numbers to match salaries.
STEAM
Sunrays in our science, technology, engineering, and mathematics growth track, will dive deeper into their passions and gain further knowledge about STEAM careers.
They will learn the latest in technology; from applications to robotics, understand the fundamentals of how systems work in both physics & science and go deeper into the problem-solving portion of Math that applies to everyday life.
Which Growth Track Is Right For You?
Culinary Nutrition
Sunrays who choose this path will discuss various aspects of home economics and nutrition in interactive and fun ways. They will get insight on healthy eating habits and learn cool and fun recipes for healthy, simple, and delicious food.
We will introduce them to dining etiquette and the importance of sharing meals with loved ones. Sunrays will also have an opportunity to share their cultural backgrounds and learn about international cuisine.
Performing Arts
Sunrays will embark on a journey to achieve creative liberation. Our goal is for participants to leverage the Performing Arts growth track to relax, get grounded, achieve greater levels of empathy, and form strong connections with their accompanying peers.
Sunrays will feel empowered to express themselves in positive ways with exercises rooted in theater, interpretive dance, sensory, improvisation, storytelling, and reflection.
Sports Executive Administration
Sunrays will get a front-row seat to what it is like to be in the sports industry. From understanding different job functions to what it is like to close a deal, we will equip students with analytical thinking practices via mock drafts and other role-playing scenarios.
Sunrays will also build their dream teams. They will love learning how to place and gauge the value of players, creating draft boards and value charts, trading players, and crunching numbers to match salaries.
STEAM
Sunrays in our science, technology, engineering, and mathematics growth track, will dive deeper into their passions and gain further knowledge about STEAM careers.
They will learn the latest in technology; from applications to robotics, understand the fundamentals of how systems work in both physics & science and go deeper into the problem-solving portion of Math that applies to everyday life.
What We Do
Rays of Sunlight exists to provide Sunrays — students between ages 12 to 18 years of age who join our organization — access to resources, support, and the necessary skills they need to thrive in society. We want Sunrays to understand the importance of mental maintenance and mental health and teach them how to channel their energy in productive ways through arts and education.
In order to best support our Sunrays, we have designed semi-annual conferences, a Midsummer Mindfulness Intensive program and other empowering events. All of our programs are rooted in improving mental health awareness, self-esteem, prosocial skills, and business leadership skills. Sunrays will feel liberated to have the option to choose from four uniquely designed growth tracks that develop creativity and plant the seeds for career development in every Sunray.
We believe everyone has a journey, and our Sunrays deserve a safe and welcoming environment to express themselves through the magic and healing power of art. We want them to feel secure, independent, appreciated, and accepted from the moment they step into our light.
Our Events & Programs
Rays of Sunlight Youth Spring Conference
Our annual youth conferences set the stage for Sunrays to have a fun-filled day of learning, community, and empowerment. The goal is to encourage creative expression through art and education while highlighting the importance of mental wellness and how it impacts the ability to be comfortable and confident in their skin.
Which Growth Track Is Right For You?...
Culinary Nutrition
Sunrays who choose this path will discuss various aspects of home economics and nutrition in interactive and fun ways. They will get insight on healthy eating habits and learn cool and fun recipes for healthy, simple and delicious snacks.
We will introduce them to dining etiquette and the importance of sharing meals with loved ones. Sunrays will also have an opportunity to share their cultural backgrounds and learn about international cuisine.
Performing Arts
Sunrays will embark on a journey to achieve creative liberation. Our goal is for participants to leverage the Performing Arts growth track to relax, get grounded, achieve greater levels of empathy, and form strong connections with their accompanying peers.
Sunrays will feel empowered to express themselves in positive ways with exercises rooted in theater, interpretive dance, sensory, improvisation, storytelling, and reflection.
Sports Executive Administration
Sunrays will get a front-row seat to what it is like to be in the sports industry. From understanding different job functions to what it is like to close a deal, we will equip students with analytical thinking practices via mock drafts and other role-playing scenarios.
Sunrays will also build their dream teams. They will love learning how to place and gauge the value of players, creating draft boards and value charts, trading players, and crunching numbers to match salaries.
STEAM
Sunrays in our science, technology, engineering, and mathematics growth track, will dive deeper into their passions and gain further knowledge about STEAM careers.
They will learn the latest in technology; from applications to robotics, understand the fundamentals of how systems work in both physics & science and go deeper into the problem-solving portion of Math that applies to everyday life.
Contact Us
Our approach provides customized intimate, powerful, and fun learning environments that appeal to our Sunray’s individual learning paths. Nominate a Sunray, get involved as a volunteer, or give us feedback. We are looking forward to hearing from you.