UPRVA: A Dream Fulfilled

Through resolve, street smarts, and considerable help, though, he’s managed just fine, and there’s a growing group of young people – actually, underserved young people – who are benefitting from his commitment and dedication.

A 2006 Collegiate School graduate, Desch is the founder and executive director of UPRVA, a non-profit which facilitates the transition to area independent schools for students from Richmond’s East End and, once they enroll, provides encouragement, mentoring, and financial assistance beyond scholarship aid.

“The goal,” Desch explained, “is to help with extra costs like a calculator, t-shirt, or field trip.  The plan is to build a bridge for a student to be successful in a new educational venture.”

The young men and women to whom UPRVA ministers attend (or graduated from) Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School, a faith-based middle school for students of limited economic resources.  Over time, Desch will expand his outreach through referrals from community organizations and word of mouth.
    
“It’s been my dream for a long time to make independent education available to more people than just the folks in the Far West End,” Desch said.  “I thought that if a student could be accepted, their life would be changed, but I found that making everything work sometimes proves too hard for families.”

Desch, who grew up a couple of blocks from Collegiate, knew early on that he wanted to teach. After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, he spent three years working at his alma mater, the last two as Upper School student life coordinator and head JV football coach.

 “As a 21-year-old kid,” he said, “I did observations in the inner city of Richmond and saw the tough situation some kids had.
    
“Fast-forward six years. At Collegiate, I got to work with a student (from the East End) and found that just getting to school every day, having access to technology, and having a plan in place when she stepped on campus was really hard for her family.”

So UPRVA – the U-P means Unlimited Potential – was born.

“UPRVA helps in three ways,” Desch continued.  “One, we provide daily transportation to and from all independent schools.  The main ones are Collegiate, Trinity, St. Christopher’s, and St. Gertrude.
    
“Two, we’re opening an after-school program inside Anna Julia Cooper for high school students.  We’ll provide them with dinner on a nightly basis and have two tutors on staff. And we've hired a full-time after-school director to oversee our growing program.
    
“Three is creating an advocacy program.  We’re the middle man between the student’s family and the school.  We let the schools know in a little bit more in-depth way the background of the student they’re getting.  We also help the family know more about the school and who they need to reach out to.”

Initial funding for UPRVA came from $150,000 in private donations, which Desch raised in about a month.  Going forward, he’ll rely on contributions from individuals and companies as well as grants.

Those who know Desch recognize and appreciate his gregarious nature, his passion for education, his social conscience, and his abiding belief that young people need caring and dedicated advocates.

UPRVA, then, is a logical step in his journey, a testament to his endearing attributes, and a tangible example of his philosophy of service before self.

“I was a middle-of-the-road student who could have gotten lost in a big school system,” he said.  “I benefitted from an independent school wrapping its arms around me and showing me that hard work pays off.  There’re students across the city, especially children living in poverty, who don’t get that chance.  We’re giving them an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. I want to empower them to own where they’re from and be proud of it.  I want them to get the best education possible.”
                                    -- Weldon Bradshaw