The City of Richmond and NextUp, an out-of-school time intermediary, will distribute $510,626.50 in Positive Youth Development (PYD) funding to 43 youth organizations this summer. Funds will support afterschool programs and youth-centered community events from June 9 to August 15, 2025, providing safe, enriching activities for Richmond youth ages 11–19. Positive Youth Development funding also supports multiple school year and spring break programs and community events.
The PYD Fund is a key part of Richmond’s Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention (GVPI) Framework, using evidence-based strategies to reduce youth violence and strengthen communities. PYD was created in 2021 when Richmond City Council unanimously voted to declare gun violence a public health crisis and made plans to fund gun violence prevention programming. PYD programs have grown to serve more than 800 youth annually. In 2024, initiatives like these contributed to a 64% drop in shootings involving youth since 2017.
“It’s crucial to give young people opportunities to retain knowledge from the school year and stay engaged with summer learning activities empowering them to explore their interests and future career paths,” says Mayor Danny Avula. “Summer programs also keep youth connected to friends and trusted adults. This combats isolation and keeps positive influences close.”
“The Positive Youth Development initiative is an innovative partnership between program providers, the City and NextUp,” said Cynthia Newbille, Ph.D., Richmond City Council President and 7th District representative. “This programming has helped reduce youth crime in the city over the last several years and with Council’s continued support, I am hopeful we will continue to see additional declines in incidents amongst Richmond youth.”
PYD programs support learning and provide avenues for constructive self-expression and career exploration. In surveying youth enrolled in last year’s Positive Youth Development- funded summer programs:
- 96% report coming to PYD programs helped them feel good about themselves and discover what they’re good at.
- 94% say attending helped them make new friends and 90% get along better with friends after attending.
- 86% share that attending programs helps them try harder and do better in school.
These summer programs include activities based in Arts and Humanities, STEM, Sports and Health, and Career Readiness and Leadership. Many PYD-funded programs are in areas of the city most impacted by crime and gun violence.
“NextUp uses data and feedback from youth, families and program providers to place Positive Youth Development programs near high populations of priority youth and within programming deserts. Transportation and cost are common barriers to youth coming to and staying engaged in afterschool and summer programs. By mobilizing the NextUp network of out-of-school time partners, we ensure programming throughout the community that keeps young people connected and excited to learn.” says NextUp CEO, Traymanesha Lamy.
The City’s Positive Youth Development programs are chosen by community volunteers who hand-select quality youth programs. The following list contains the approved organizations receiving funding for Summer 2025 PYD programs and community-building events:
| Organization | Contact Name | Award |
| Ambassadors Of Virginia | Earl Thompson | $16,000.00 |
| Anna Julia Cooper School | Krissi Morley | $7,500.00 |
| ART 180 | Maurice Leoni-Osion | $20,000.00 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond | Katie Rhodes | $25,000.00 |
| Broken Men Foundation | Ellery Lundry | $18,000.00 |
| Challenge Discovery Projects | Cyndy Weldon-Lassiter | $18,000.00 |
| Foundation for Art & Health, Inc | Shanee Harmon | $5,000.00 |
| Girls For A Change | Angela Patton | $26,000.50 |
| Girls in Gear | Gabrielle Rossi | $25,000.00 |
| Greater Richmond Fit4Kids | Katie Daniel | $5,000.00 |
| Groundwork RVA | Melissa Guevara | $15,000.00 |
| Higher Achievement Program, Inc. | Katey Comerford | $8,231.00 |
| Just C, Inc | Chenice Brown | $15,000.00 |
| Kidz At Work | Tanya Jackson | $10,000.00 |
| Kidz R Cookin LLC | Wendy Huett | $12,500.00 |
| KR Scholars | Kristen Johnson | $15,000.00 |
| L.O.C.A.L. Adventures | Preston Slaughter | $12,500.00 |
| Metropolitan Business League (MBL) | Allison Hunter | $1,000.00 |
| New Life Harvest Church | Maria Benjamin | $12,500.00 |
| Nu Collar Solutions | Curtis Hall | $1,000.00 |
| Podium RVA | Charmeya McMurray | $1,000.00 |
| Precision RVA Inc. | Andrea Burke | $7,500.00 |
| R.E.A.L Girlz | Tammie Mobley | $21,000.00 |
| Reel Em In Inc. | Eric Walton | $7,500.00 |
| Richmond Hill, Inc. | Yvette Rajput | $15,000.00 |
| Rising Towards Success | Monica Ball | $1,000.00 |
| Servant Partners | Amy Johnson | $18,000.00 |
| Sew What Kidz | Talasha Carrington-Lewis | $7,500.00 |
| STEM-Ed Partners | Katrina Entzminger | $12,500.00 |
| Street Smartz Over Safety, LLC | Dre’mon Miller | $15,000.00 |
| The A.C.E. Sports Academy | Eric Rainey | $20,000.00 |
| The Academy | Michael Edwards | $1,000.00 |
| The Enough Foundation | Pamela Spratley | $1,000.00 |
| The Men of Barton Heights Youth Organization | Jermaine ONeil | $10,000.00 |
| The Village Against Violence | Shavon Ragsdale | $12,500.00 |
| The Well Collective (dba BareSOUL Wellness) | Ashley Williams | $20,000.00 |
| Top Secret LLC | Travon Brown | $900.00 |
| Unbreakable Minds Coaching | Yolanda Hall | $1,000.00 |
| Victoria’s Kitchen | Ellen Luckey | $12,500.00 |
| Virginia Outside | Thomas Huss | $12,500.00 |
| Virginia University Preparatory | Shan Rennalls | $15,000.00 |
| World Fitness Dance Academy LLC | Cynthia Thomas-Rustin | $6,995.00 |
| Youth Braid and Business Academy | Rossie Dean | $23,000.00 |
Parents, caregivers, and youth interested in enrolling can visit these organizations’ websites for more information. To attend and qualify for free program enrollment, youth must be:
- Registered in their selected program(s)
- 11 – 19-years-old
- Living within the City of Richmond
