Richmond, Va. (May 18, 2026) – NextUp and the City of Richmond have allocated $395,470 in Positive Youth Development (PYD) funding to support nearly 30 organizations managing community-based summer programs for youth ages 11-19 living in the City of Richmond.
Richmond’s Positive Youth Development initiative was created in 2021 when City Council unanimously voted to declare gun violence a public health crisis and made plans to fund gun violence prevention programming. PYD creates opportunities for Richmond youth ages 11 – 19 to join quality local youth programs during the school year and summer at no cost. The initiative is a part of Richmond’s Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention (GVPI) Framework, which uses evidence-based strategies to reduce juvenile crime and strengthen communities.
“The investment in Positive Youth Development and high-quality out-of-school time programs has paid off for the City of Richmond. Post COVID, Richmond has seen a 48% reduction in youth injured by firearms and a 38% reduction in youth involvement in violent incidents. NextUp, a trusted intermediary partner, has been instrumental in linking resources and opportunities for youth and families across the 804.” says the City’s Director of Justice Services, Greg Hopkins.
Since launching in 2021, the PYD initiative has grown into a citywide network serving more than 1,555 unduplicated youth during the 2024-25 School Year and Summer 2025, (up 23% from the previous period).
NextUp, a nonprofit focused on expanding access to quality afterschool and summer programs for Richmond youth, serves as an intermediary organization for Richmond’s PYD funding, vetting process, program data management, and more.
PYD-funded programs include opportunities in STEM, arts and humanities, sports and wellness, career readiness, leadership development and community engagement. Many programs are in neighborhoods most affected by crime and gun violence, expanding access to enrichment where it is most needed.
In surveys from last summer’s PYD-supported programs:
- 85% report they’re challenged by their programs in a good way, and 99% report they’re trying new things, even if they look difficult.
- 95% say its been easy for them to get along with and make new friends in their summer PYD programs.
- 90% say their summer programs help them try harder and do better in school, and 97% say their program helped me find out what I’m good at doing and what I like to do.
- 96% of youth reported feeling safe in their program environment, with 90% reporting strong adult mentor support.
“NextUp uses youth and family feedback, along with city data, to provide access to positive youth development programming throughout the community at no cost to families,” said Dr. Traymanesha Lamy, president & CEO of NextUp. “Our program partners ensure Richmond youth have consistent opportunities to learn, lead and stay connected to enriching out-of-school time activities year-round.”
The following organizations have been approved to receive Summer 2026 Positive Youth Development funding:
| Organization | Project Title | Award Type | Award Amount |
| Anna Julia Cooper School | Summer Open Gym | $8,000.00 | Program Services |
| ART 180 | Summer Atlas Program | $25,000.00 | Program Services |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond | Summer Career Experiences | $30,000.00 | Program Services |
| Challenge Discovery Projects | Camp Discovery 2026 | $8,000.00 | Program Services |
| Culturecated Educational Services | iPlant | $5,500.00 | Program Services |
| Foundation for Art & Health, Inc | Cardio N Canvas | $7,000.00 | Program Services |
| Girls For A Change | Camp Diva Leadership Academy | $26,000.00 | Program Services |
| Girls in Gear | Girls in Gear Camp GiG | $30,400.00 | Program Services |
| Greater Richmond Fit4Kids | Game On Girl Summer Summit | $8,000.00 | Program Services |
| Groundwork RVA | Summer Dream 2025 | $20,850.00 | Program Services |
| Higher Achievement Program, Inc. | Richmond High School Readiness Academy | $10,000.00 | Program Services |
| Hines Foundation Inc. | Juneteenth Celebration | $2,500.00 | Community Event |
| International Rescue Committee | Summer Experiences | $10,000.00 | Program Services |
| International Rescue Committee | Year End Celebration | $2,500.00 | Community Event |
| Kidz R Cookin LLC | STEM Cooking and ME Camp | $17,500.00 | Program Services |
| KR Scholars | The HBCU Bridge Summer Edition | $18,500.00 | Program Services |
| L.O.C.A.L. Adventures RVA | James River Explorers | $20,000.00 | Program Services |
| New Life Community Center Nonprofit | Tooling Up the Future | $18,250.00 | Program Services |
| R.E.A.L Girlz | SumHER Experience | $17,850.00 | Program Services |
| Richmond Hill | Armstrong Leadership Program | $20,000.00 | Program Services |
| Sew What Kidz | Summer Experience | $10,000.00 | Program Services |
| Shizzy Cutz | Back to School Event | $1,500.00 | Community Event |
| Street Smartz Over Safety, LLC | Street Smartz Boyz: Summer Exploration | $25,000.00 | Program Services |
| The Academy | RVA CommUNITY Friday Nights | $2,500.00 | Community Event |
| Unbreakable Minds Coaching | Parenting on Purpose | $2,485.00 | Community Event |
| Victoria’s Kitchen, LLC | Family Table | $10,000.00 | Program Services |
| Virginia Outside | Adventure Camps | $17,885.00 | Program Services |
| Youth Braid and Business Academy | Braid, Beauty, and Business Summer Camp | $20,250.00 | Program Services |
Parents, caregivers and youth interested in enrolling can explore all available programs through NextUp’s Youth Program Locator. The tool makes it easy to search by age, neighborhood and interest area to find free, PYD-supported opportunities across the city.
To qualify for free enrollment, youth must be:
- Registered in their selected program(s)
- Between 11–19 years old
- Residents of the City of Richmond
For more information, visit nextuprva.org.
