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July Newsletter

July Newsletter

July Newsletter

We're Wrapping Up an Incredible Summer!

We’re in the final stretch of our 2025 Summer Program! With just a week and a half to go, we’re excited to invite families and supporters to our End of Summer Celebration on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 5:30 PM. Join us as we celebrate the hard work, growth, and unforgettable experiences our students have had this summer!

Welcome our NEW Executive Director!

Please join us in welcoming James Harris, our new Executive Director!

A Camden, New Jersey native and proud military veteran, James brings an incredible background in corporate leadership, education, and nonprofit management. His past roles include senior leadership at Coca-Cola, GlaxoSmithKline, public school districts, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County.

James holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Seton Hall and an MBA from Rosemont College. His mission-driven leadership and passion for youth development align perfectly with our vision at NSTS. We are excited for the road ahead under his guidance!

Summer STEM Highlights – Thank You, Elizabeth River Crossing!

A special thank you to our Summer STEM Sponsor, Elizabeth River Crossing, for making this season of exploration possible! Here’s a look at some of our STEM-focused adventures:

  • Elizabeth River Project Tour – Students learned about water pollution and local cleanup efforts.
  • Virginia MOCA Visit – Hands-on digital art creation inspired by current exhibits.
  • Circle A Home for Horses – Weekly visits to learn horse care and biological sciences.
  • Volunteering at Nauticus – Students participated in ship maintenance and maritime learning.
  • TopGolf STEM Session – Exploring the physics behind swing mechanics.
  • Rudee Inlet Dolphin Tour (Upcoming) – A close-up look at marine biology in action!

We are proud of our students for embracing each opportunity to learn, grow, and serve!

Thank You to the Virginia Club

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Virginia Club for inviting our Founder and President, Chuck McPhillips, to speak at their meeting this month. It was an incredible opportunity to share the vision and mission behind Next Step to Success with Norfolk’s distinguished business and civic leaders. Thank you for your warm welcome and continued support of our work to uplift youth in our community.

After-School Enrollment Update

We are thrilled to share that 94 youth are already enrolled in our 2025-2026 After-School Program! We are continuing to take applications as we prepare for Fall, but space is filling up! Apply now to secure your spot!
Orientation for accepted families is required. Mark your calendars! Sessions for registered families will be held on Wednesday, August 20 & Thursday, August 21, at 5:30 PM. Registered families will begin receiving information starting Friday, August 1st.
Thank you to our families, partners, and supporters for helping us create a meaningful summer experience. We can’t wait to keep the momentum going into the school year!

With gratitude,

The NSTS Team

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