Our Vision
A world where every individual and community thrives, free from the burdens of poverty and injustice.
Our Mission
Partner with people and communities to fulfill their basic human needs and empower them to reach their potential by providing education, nutrition, healthcare support, sustainability programs, and cultural engagement.
Core Values
Justice and Equity
We believe everyone deserves access to education, safe housing, nutritious food, clean water, and opportunities to provide for themselves and their families.
Community-Led Empowerment
We trust that communities best understand their needs and should lead the way in developing their own solutions.
Collaboration & Partnership
We value the power of collective effort, recognizing that meaningful and lasting change happens when we work together.
Sustainability
We are dedicated to building resilient programs and systems alongside communities to ensure lasting impact and long-term benefits.
Compassion & Empathy
We approach every endeavor with genuine care and understanding, striving to ease suffering and foster supportive, respectful relationships.
Our Story
Philanthropist, humanitarian, social activist, and entrepreneur, Manijeh Marvastian was raised in a large extended family in Iran, and spent her earliest years helping her family serve others in their community.
“My parents inspired me to help others,” she says. “During religious holidays my father prepared food for hundreds of people. As a child, I loved to bring bowls of rice and stew to the people. Seeing the joy on their faces lifted my heart.”
After earning a degree in Computer Engineering and spending many years in the corporate world, Manijeh pivoted, dedicating herself to the field of spiritual healing for nearly two decades. She founded Village Rise, a nonprofit that collaborates with local and international organizations to empower individuals and build self-sustaining communities. Focusing on education, housing, healthcare, and cultural preservation, Village Rise uplifts women, children, and the underserved. Guided by deep listening and local wisdom, her mission remains the same: to bring love, justice, and lasting change.
Our Approach
Village Rise is a 501(c)(3) organization and holds no political or religious agenda; instead our goals arise from within the communities we work with. “You must first listen and then convey that you are there to provide resources and guidance. When the people believe in your commitment to them and know their voice will drive the mission, you have the right mix for success,” said Manijeh.
Village Rise is a collaborative partner empowering communities to build a brighter future. We believe in the power of local leadership and invest in long-term relationships to address root causes of poverty and inequality. By co-creating sustainable solutions with our partners, we unlock human potential and foster resilient communities. Our work is grounded in empathy, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to education and equity.
Our work focuses on fostering collective action to create transformational, systemic change that truly meets the needs of the local population. Since its inception, Village Rise has partnered with organizations in three countries, working across linguistic, cultural, and racial barriers to co-create solutions that are replicable, sustainable, and impactful. By addressing challenges in a way that restores hope, dignity, and pride, we help people overcome obstacles and build brighter futures.
At Village Rise we have seen the need for our services grow to a stage that makes it ripe for collaboration. “Our leadership is actively inviting new partners to work with us to have long lasting impacts and affect meaningful change in even more communities within our global village.”
Our Team
Morteza Porsaid
Board Member
Morteza, a visionary civil engineer and entrepreneur, co-founded a company over 30 years ago dedicated to nurturing creativity and learning in children. Passionate about education’s transformative power, he has focused on fostering growth for young minds and building resilient communities. As a Board Member, he has expanded programs, secured resources, and formed partnerships to address the needs of underserved communities. His commitment to community development empowers families, breaks cycles of poverty, and helps create self-sustaining, thriving communities.
Andrew Kutt
Board Member
Andrew Kutt is Founder & Chairman of the Board at Oneness-Family Montessori School in Chevy Chase MD. Andrew also serves on the board of the International Montessori Council. For over 36 years Andrew has contributed to the Montessori educational community as a teacher, administrator, teacher trainer, leadership consultant, speaker and performer. Andrew is the author of numerous articles on education, child development and modern society. He has created curriculum materials for personal reflection, positive discipline, conflict resolution, diversity, world religions and other extensions to the Montessori classroom. Andrew is an accomplished poet and songwriter, with 6 albums and over 125 songs to his credit. He has performed at schools and events across the globe, and he now enjoys writing custom songs for schools, organizations and special occasions. His latest volume of poetry is entitled Flamed Epiphanies, and his newest music release Shine On . To learn more visit www.andrewkuttmusic.com and www.onenessfamily.org.
Shohreh Porsaid
Advisor
A global citizen, humanitarian, and proud Iranian-American, Shohreh brings diverse expertise in retail and creative design. As a partner, former executive and product development lead for an educational toy company, Shohreh offers a strong background in strategic planning and business management. Deeply Committed and passionate about children's education and community empowerment, particularly for women and children, Shohreh has served on non-profit boards, leading marketing efforts and dedicating time and expertise to organizations making a meaningful impact.
Marz Attar
Advisor
Marz Attar is the founder of Highland Cellular Inc., and has embraced a lifelong pursuit of spirituality and human transformation. Guided by the principles of love, unity and community empowerment he co-founded the One Foundation in 2010. The foundation's mission is to foster a world guided by compassion and common purpose rather than dominated by greed and the extraction of resources; a world where people live in harmony with the earth. With a regional and international outlook, the One Foundation supports grassroots organizations and initiatives in central Appalachia and beyond, promoting community revitalization and environmental stewardship.
Lisa Connor
Advisor
Lisa Connor, an advocate for working families, has dedicated her career to organized labor. She has worked for esteemed organizations such as the AFL-CIO DC Labor Council and the National Education Association, empowering workers to better their lives. Her belief in collective action drives her mission to build a more inclusive world. She currently works for the largest labor union in the country, the National Education Association, where she has served for the last 20 years.
Tobi Goss
Executive Assistant
Tobi Goss brings a decade of experience in education to her role as Executive Assistant to the Founder, offering a unique and valuable perspective. With a versatile background, she ensures operational efficiency and provides crucial support to back-end operations. Deeply committed to the mission of Village Rise, Tobi is driven by the organization’s dedication to positive change. Her experience in education fosters a collaborative and organized approach to her work, contributing to the team's success.