Richmond youth ages 11–19 can have greater access to free afterschool and summer programs through the Positive Youth Development (PYD) initiative. Co-managed by nonprofit intermediary NextUp on behalf of the City of Richmond, PYD helps connect youth to safe, engaging, and enriching experiences — all while supporting gun violence prevention efforts.
What is the Positive Youth Development Initiative?
The Positive Youth Development initiative 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 creates opportunities for Richmond youth ages 11 – 19 to join quality local youth programs during the school year and summer at no cost. The number of free slots varies by program and grant allowance.
Annually, more than 800 youth are connected to PYD-supported afterschool and summer programs, and the initiative has been attributed to a 64% decrease in youth harmed by gun violence since 2017.
NextUp’s role in PYD
NextUp, an out-of-school time intermediary and nonprofit, helps oversee the Positive Youth Development initiative by:
- Managing the community-led vetting process for program selection
- Managing and distributing funds to selected programs
- Conducting site visits (scheduled and unscheduled) to monitor program quality
- Tracking program data and outcomes
- Monitoring quality, safety, and compliance standards and ensuring contractual obligations are met (required to receive funding)
- Providing free professional development and coaching to youth development partners for continuous program quality improvement
NextUp and the City of Richmond announce programs receiving funds annually (includes granted amounts per program).
How to connect with Positive Youth Development programs
Positive Youth Development-supported programs are available year-round and can be found on NextUp’s Youth Program Locator. Slots fill quickly. Reach out directly to programs to secure a spot or for questions.
