For Richmond mom Shaneka Brown, having her children stay involved in extracurricular activities has always been a priority. Her son Cody, a senior in the southside of Richmond, spends weekdays after school and Saturdays in the Miles and Mentors program hosted by Shan Rennalls of Virginia University Preparatory. Through Miles and Mentors, Cody and other Richmond teens build meaningful relationships with community mentors while staying active. Some days students run the stairs at Libby Hill Park; other days they are training along the Capital Trail or working out on their own high school campuses. These shared physical challenges create space for authentic conversations about life, school, goals, and decision making.
“Being a single mother of four boys, I always want to keep my sons around positive role models,” Shaneka said. “Since starting with [Virginia University Preparatory], Cody’s become more mature, he’s excited about college and stays active in the community.”
In the program, Cody not only exercises, but he also receives academic support, enhances his leadership skills, and is encouraged to pursue higher education and a career. “My first pick [for college] would be Old Dominion University,” Cody said. “I want to study business, and I look forward to becoming a mentor in my community.” His coaches attend his games, provide emotional support, and help guide him in his transition to college.
Stories like this reflect the growing importance of high-quality out-of-school programs. Young people spend up to 80% of their time outside the classroom, yet access to structured afterschool and summer programs remains limited. For every child enrolled in an afterschool program in Greater Richmond, four more are waiting to get into one.
NextUp was created to help close that gap. NextUp serves as an intermediary organization that equips and mobilizes a network of more than 150 youth development organizations to deliver quality afterschool and summer programs across Richmond. By embedding partner programs in Richmond Public Schools and supporting community-based programs citywide through the city’s Positive Youth Development (PYD) initiative, NextUp expands access to out-of-school time activities for youth ages 11 to 19 at no cost to families.
NextUp supports programs focused on career exploration, enrichment, and skill building. PYD-supported programs like Miles and Mentors reflect strong outcomes. For example, 96% of PYD-participating youth said their program helps them feel more confident about themselves, and 84% said their afterschool or summer activities help them do better in school.
Parents see benefits as well, with 94% saying afterschool programs help them keep their jobs, and 83% say knowing their child is safe helps boost their productivity at work. An overwhelming majority agree that afterschool and summer programs excite their kids about learning, improve school attendance, and decrease screen time.
The impact extends beyond individual families. Since 2017, Richmond has experienced a significant decline in youth gun violence incidents — a change the city has attributed in part to sustained investment in out-of-school time programs.
NextUp’s long-term vision is to ensure every young person in Richmond, like Cody, has access to meaningful expanded learning experiences, and that quality out-of-school time is recognized as a vital part of each student’s education.
How You Can Support
Community members can support NextUp by donating, participating in awareness or community events, or advocating for expanded access to free afterschool and summer opportunities for youth across Richmond. To learn more, visit nextuprva.org.
