Every Friday and Saturday night, AJC opens its doors to middle and high school boys from the community for Open Gym. Thanks to financial support from NextUP RVA, in partnership with The City of Richmond’s Positive Youth Development initiative, we are able to provide a safe, welcoming space where youth can build relationships, have fun, and develop basketball and teamwork skills.

Open Gym is lovingly overseen by husband and wife duo, Bree and Oldson Duclos, who find joy in creating a safe place for youth each weekend. A brainchild of Head of School Mike Maruca, he recently shared, “Open Gym is so symbolic of who I believe AJC is at its best: an open door to a safe and loving space for our students and our neighbors.” About 40 boys participating each week—some AJC students, and many from the wider community.

The Positive Youth Development initiative, which funds AJC’s Weekend Open Gym, was created in 2021 when Richmond City Council unanimously voted to declare gun violence a public health crisis and made plans to fund gun violence prevention programming.