On this week’s episode of Spotlight On Maryland, we spoke with Matt Hanna, Founder and CEO of Next One Up. Their mission is to transform the lives of young men in Baltimore City by supporting and advancing their academic, athletic, and social development. It started as a summer camp in 2009, and has grown into a long-term commitment to helping young men ages 12-25 overcome significant obstacles to achievement. The program is all about creating what they call generational change.
Next One Up isn’t just an after-school program, they are a life program. The average participant is involved for 8 years. Next One Up provides adaptive, multi-year support for young men from their teen years into the early years of a career. The organization empowers young men as athletes, scholars, leaders, and the next generation of changemakers. Middle and high school scholars receive intensive out-of-school-time support and mentoring that will help them graduate high school and matriculate to college, but support does not stop after high school graduation. Collegegoers receive ongoing mentoring and coaching, combined with summer work opportunities and internship placements. Others receive support and guidance to begin a career in the trades. Career programming, including counseling, skills development, and job placement, completes the connective process of generational change with a promise of upward mobility.
Next year, they will be moving into a brand new 14,000 sq. ft. Base Camp in Belvedere Square that will feature a dedicated academic area to provide tutoring and classrooms, a hands-on maker space for robotics and STEM activities, a tech lab with 3D printers and computer workstations, a recording studio, and independent study spaces. Their gym will include a full locker room, weightlifting, cardio and cross-fit equipment, and warm-up and mat areas. There will also be a social lounge that will offer opportunities for participants to grab a meal from the kitchen, play games, and connect.
Since the program began, 100% of their student-athletes have graduated high school on time, and 95% have matriculated into 2 or 4 year colleges or universities after high school. 67% of NOU participants have graduated college (or are on track to do so) within six years.
Listen to the full interview below and support Next One Up with a donation HERE.