Richmond, VA – NextUp and The City of Richmond are proud to announce the allocation of $328,823 in Positive Youth Development (PYD) funding to 20 organizations across the city. These funds will support afterschool programs during the 2024-2025 School Year that provide safe, enriching environments for youth during after-school hours, fostering their growth and development. 

The PYD Fund is an essential part of the City of Richmond’s Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention (GVPI) Framework. This comprehensive approach works to reduce gun violence while strengthening the community by fostering protective factors and engaging youth in positive development. Through strategic partnerships with community-based organizations, NextUp advances evidence-based strategies to address youth violence risk factors identified by the Centers for Disease Control. 

“I am proud of our partnership with NextUp to serve our youth in such an impactful way,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “When I became Mayor, we did not have the network of after-school programs we have today – and the investments to expand our programming options are paying off. Not only are these community-based after-school programs helping to reduce youth violence in the City of Richmond, but they are also ensuring our youth ages 11-19 have supportive places to learn and grow.” 

The programs target youth aged 11-19, offering opportunities to learn, grow, and develop in a nurturing environment. By connecting youth with caring adults, building essential life skills, and creating supportive community settings, these initiatives aim to foster resilience and drive positive outcomes for Richmond’s youth. 

Building on the success of last year’s PYD programs, which served over 800 youth, the school-year programs will continue to offer opportunities for youth including, STEM, career exploration, mentorship, and other engaging activities. Last year, 95% of youth who participated in PYD programs reported trying new things, even if they seemed challenging. Additionally, 93% of youth shared that attending these programs helped them feel good about themselves, and 95% indicated that they have an adult in their program they will listen to and respect. 

“We are excited to continue investing in Richmond’s youth through these critical afterschool programs,” said Dr. Traymanesha Lamy, President & CEO of NextUp “The feedback from last year’s participants shows the positive impact these initiatives have on young people, and we are committed to building on this success throughout the school year.” 

These programs are a vital part of the City’s commitment to ensuring that young people have access to safe, supportive spaces where they can learn, grow, and thrive. NextUp will continue collaborating with local partners to make sure these resources reach as many youth as possible. 

The following list contains the approved organizations that received funding for School Year 2024-2025 programs and community-building events, along with their award amounts: