Jay Valle

United States

Reporter at NBCU Academy

Journalist & Contributing Correspondent @nbcnews @nbcuacademy | Send story tips: [email protected]

Articles

Sunshine Kids Connects Childhood Cancer Survivors

2 weeks ago | nbcuacademy.com | Jay Valle

Before a recent trip to Beaver Creek, Colorado, 13-year-old Zoe Durias had never skied. But the cancer survivor is used to pushing through the discomfort. “It’s all about the ups and downs in life, and that’s what Zoe is accomplishing as we’re skiing together,” said Beaver Creek Resort Ski Instructor Chloe Wasserstrom.
How Soccer Improves Teens' Grades in This Small City

1 month ago | nbcuacademy.com | Jay Valle

Daniela Oviedo, 14, never played soccer before joining Project Goal. Born and raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island — a town just over one square mile — Oviedo said the program not only ignited her passion for the sport, but also for her schoolwork. “When I joined Project Goal, my grades really went up a lot,” she said.
LGBTQ people find confidence and community in self-defense classes

1 month ago | gaysonoma.com | Jay Valle

Features/ Health/ Top Stories Self-defense classes geared toward LGBTQ people can be found sprinkled across the United States, and instructors and students say the skills these classes provide are giving attendees a boost of confidence and a sense of community in a fraught political environment. “Pretend someone’s coming for you. How would you kick them if you were fighting for your life?” an instructor at Queer Fight Club in St. Louis asked attendees during a recent self-defense class. Tori...
LGBTQ people find confidence and community in self-defense classes

1 month ago | nbcnews.com | Jay Valle

Self-defense classes geared toward LGBTQ people can be found sprinkled across the United States, and instructors and students say the skills these classes provide are giving attendees a boost of confidence and a sense of community in a fraught political environment. “Pretend someone’s coming for you. How would you kick them if you were fighting for your life?” an instructor at Queer Fight Club in St. Louis asked attendees during a recent self-defense class.
Pop Up Choir Connects Strangers Through Song

2 months ago | nbcuacademy.com | Jay Valle

New York vocal coach Matt Goldstein never anticipated a gathering of his friends singing pop songs would become a viral sensation. But that 2021 meetup evolved into Gaia Music Collective, which organizes pop-up singing groups across the country, from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to an intimate warehouse space in Los Angeles. Sign up for our newsletter! “There’s a hunger for this,” Goldstein said of Gaia.
HIV Clinic Serves Vulnerable Latino Community at No Cost

Mar 5, 2025 | nbcuacademy.com | Jay Valle

When Jesus Salas moved to Florida to be with his husband, he thought it’d be easy to find HIV care. But that wasn’t the case. He only had a one-month supply of his HIV medication and Spanish-speaking specialists were hard to come by. Language and cultural differences are barriers for many Latinos seeking HIV care. While new HIV diagnoses remained steady across the U.S. between 2018 and 2022, rates increased 19% among Latinos, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
'Wicked' Broadway Actor Paves a Path for Artists with Disabilities

Feb 13, 2025 | nbcuacademy.com | Jay Valle

In March, Jenna Bainbridge will be the first wheelchair user to play the role of Nessarose in “Wicked” on Broadway. Her announcement comes months after Marisa Bode, who also uses a wheelchair in real life, portrayed Nessa in the blockbuster film. “We need to hear disabled stories,” Bainbridge said.
How K-9s Are Solving Navajo Cold Cases

Jan 14, 2025 | nbcuacademy.com | Jay Valle

Ryan Tom went missing in Red Mesa, Arizona, on June 11, 2022. The Navajo man’s family filed a police report but said updates from authorities were little to none. “We won’t simply forget about Ryan,” said his aunt Rosina Tom. “Even if it takes more than two, three, or four years, we still want to know what happened to him.”Sign up for our newsletter! To aid in the search, the family turned to the community-led 4 Corners K-9 Search and Rescue team.
These knitters are keeping thousands of LGBTQ homeless youths cozy this winter

Dec 18, 2024 | nbcnews.com | Jay Valle

Dec. 18, 2024, 2:22 PM UTCLike many who took up new hobbies during the pandemic, Austin Rivers found comfort in knitting. But his craft took on a larger meaning when he realized his scarves and hats could also support his New York City queer community. He was particularly eager to help homeless LGBTQ youths, who comprise up to 40% of the country’s homeless youth population.
How Knitters Keep Thousands of Homeless LGBTQ Youth Cozy

Dec 10, 2024 | nbcuacademy.com | Jay Valle

Like many who took up new hobbies during the pandemic, Austin Rivers found comfort in knitting. But his craft took on a larger meaning when he realized his scarves and hats could also support his New York City queer community. He was particularly eager to help homeless LGBTQ youth, who make up “I don’t have the capacity to build a shelter, the network or the connections to help in that way, but what I can do is knit,” Rivers said.