Nearly $500,000 in youth development grants awarded across Richmond

NextUp and the City of Richmond will disperse $493,628 from the Positive Youth Development Fund in grants to 42 grassroots and community organizations that provide quality out-of-school time programming and events so that youth closest to communities affected by violence can have resources to disrupt the cycle.

Grants will support various positive youth development (PYD) programs,including STEM summer camps, career exploration, and youth mentorship. The PYD Fund is a critical component of the City of Richmond’s Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention (GVPI) Framework, a comprehensive and inclusive approach to reducing gun violence while strengthening community and individuals across Richmond. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts with community-based organizations across the city, NextUp advances evidence-based approaches to influence the risk and protective factors for youth violence as identified by the Centers for Disease Control.

“I am incredibly grateful for the City’s partnership with NextUp to provide community- based programming for our youth,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “It is important that we provide a diversity of opportunities for youth across our entire city – and that is exactly what NextUp has done by working with our community partners.”

The programs target youth aged 12-19 and provide opportunities to learn, grow, and develop in a safe and supportive environment. Theseinitiatives aim to nurture supportive family environments, bolster youth skills, facilitate connections with caring adults and engaging activities, and cultivate protective community settings while implementing preventive measures to drive positive youth development in the City ofRichmond.

NextUp’s President and CEO, Dr. Traymanesha Lamy, believes, “Quality out-of-school- time programs are a critical preventative measure in combatting gun violence in Richmond. NextUp is committed to investing in our young people and working closely with youth, families andprogram providers to ensure out-of-school-time opportunities are both safe and accessible.”

Through a competitive process, NextUp received over 58 applications and funded 42 organizations. This funding will ensure that over 3,000 Richmond youth will have access to PYD out-of-school-time programsthis summer! With unwavering support from the City of Richmond and collective action from community organizations, NextUp works to turn the tide against crime and build a safer community where every youngperson can thrive.

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