NextUp

This week is all about afterschool (and all out-of-school time) professionals! OST professionals are heroes and pillars in our community, delivering quality afterschool, weekend, and summer programs across our communities. THANK YOU to the NextUp Network of OST professionals for your dedication to delivering quality programs for Richmond youth! Our community (and NextUp) wouldn’t be the same without you.

We're thrilled to welcome Naudy Solano-Daye as NextUp's new Evaluation and Outcomes Manager! Naudy will spearhead the development of our research-driven evaluation framework, monitor program effectiveness, and provide technical support to enhance our afterschool and summer programs. Naudy brings a wealth of knowledge with her background in program development and evaluation. She served as Director of Programs at the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia and has extensive experience managing youth and family-centered programs, including programs serving immigrant and refugee communities. Please join us in welcoming Naudy to the NextUp team! 👏

Our office is closed today, Good Friday, April 18. We'll be back bright and early on Monday.

L.O.C.A.L. Adventures and Street Smartz Over Safety students had a blast during their spring break programs! The L.O.C.A.L. Adventures crew (in partnership with Peter Paul) spent time hiking, scaling ropes courses, and ziplining. Youth enjoyed soaking up the sun, exploring nature, and stepping out of their comfort zones. They returned home with new stories, snacks, and a whole lot of confidence! Street Smartz Over Safety traveled to Atlanta to tour colleges, learn about marine life at the aquarium, catch a Hawks game, and more! Students said their top highlights included: 🥤Tasting an array of international soda flavors at the Coca-Cola factory 🎓 Touring out-of-state universities and gaining exposure to college life 💭 Rooming and traveling with their peers and discussing each other's perspectives during the trip This was a spring break for the books, and it was made possible through incredible programs like L.O.C.A.L. Adventures and Street Smartz Over Safety, which dedicate their time delivering quality out-of-school time experiences for Richmond youth. These programs are also supported by Positive Youth Development from the City of Richmond, Virginia. Preston Slaughter Dre'mon Miller

One thing we always enjoy about teaching our Teen Middle School Programs - is the Enjoyment of getting them to try new things. In doing so - their Confidence Soars. This is one of our local partner sites - where teens learn Life Skills in the Kitchen. NextUp

Virginia University Preparatory believes in shaping future leaders—on the field, in the lab, and beyond. Xtreme Engineering, SportsMax, and Max Prep programs are embedded in multiple Richmond Public Middle Schools through the NextUp Middle School Alliance with the BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO RICHMOND and the YMCA of Greater Richmond. These programs equip students with the skills and experiences to excel in sports, STEM, and academics. 🚀Xtreme Engineering: Students get hands-on with engineering by welding chassis, rewiring electrical systems, and fine-tuning acceleration and braking for electric vehicles. This program brings STEM concepts to life through real-world application. 🏀SportsMax: Designed for student-athletes, SportsMax sharpens skills in basketball, soccer, track, and tennis while integrating sports science and performance analysis. With exposure to college scouts, it’s a game-changer for young athletes. 📚Max Prep: Beyond athletics, Max Prep builds leaders through sports journalism, media training, and college readiness. Students gain experience covering games, preparing for SAT/ACT exams, and navigating scholarships for their next steps. This program is supported by Positive Youth Development funding from the City of Richmond, Virginia. Together, these programs create a pipeline of future professionals in our community! Shoutout to Shan Rennalls and the Virginia University Preparatory team for your dedication to delivering quality afterschool programs for Richmond youth and making learning a blast.

Everyone needs safe spaces to be their true, authentic self…that’s what R.E.A.L Girlz is all about. Through afterschool and summer programs, participants are: 💗 Encouraged to be responsible at home, in school, and in their communities 💗 Empowered to use their voice 💗 Loved for who they are The hype around this program is R.E.A.L. and tangible! Founder Tammie Mobley has been a part of the NextUp Network of providers since 2019. Middle schoolers can join R.E.A.L. Girlz after school at MLK, Jr. Middle through the NextUp Middle School Alliance with the BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO RICHMOND. Richmond teens can also sign up for free daily SumHer (summer) programs through Positive Youth Development with the City of Richmond, Virginia. Thank you to Tammie and the R.E.A.L. Girlz team for your dedication to Richmond youth and their families. Your impact is tangible, and we're grateful for your partnership!

Let's pass the #youthvoiceweek mic 🎤 to the Youth Ambassadors at Maymont to share what they love about their afterschool program! Every week, youth engage in activities to explore leadership, community engagement, service learning, content creation, animal care, gardening, public speaking, and future career paths. 👏 A round of applause 👏 to program leaders like Krista Weatherford for collecting these videos and providing opportunities for youth to connect to nature, animals, and themselves! The Youth Ambassadors at Maymont are supported by Positive Youth Development funding from City of Richmond, Virginia. Afterschool Alliance

Free to Move: The Role of Zero-Fare in Advancing Health and Justice in Richmond was an amazing presentation and event by Rapid Transit. Congratulations Faith Walker and RVA Rapid Transit. https://lnkd.in/dhQi_V4m

Cheer University is an afterschool program encouraging young people to use their voices 📣 while gaining the skills and confidence to join their school and local cheer teams! This program comes at no cost to youth through the Middle School Alliance. Kamryn, Ja'Maria, and others are loud and clear...they love Cheer U, the friendships they make, the freedom to be themselves, and the opportunity to learn something new every week. A massive round of applause to program provider, Tanikka Wynn, for your time and energy in providing quality afterschool cheer programs in multiple Richmond Public Schools middle schools. And we can't forget to thank the BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO RICHMOND and the YMCA of Greater Richmond for your partnership in the Middle School Alliance! Stay tuned for more #youthvoiceweek testimonials from student leaders this week! Afterschool Alliance