Our History

The First Move

The Next Move Program first developed in 2010 as an internship program at a large medical organization in Richmond, Virginia. An executive at the company had a child with developmental disabilities. From his personal experience, he knew that this population has access to very few preparatory programs for life after high school. 

Prior to the arrival of these interns, the very same tasks were previously completed by temporary workers. With temps, the business experienced frequent and expensive turnover rates and significant error rates; all of these issues were eliminated once the interns arrived. The company was also surprised by the interns' positive impact on its culture. The interns were motivated and always smiling, which inspired the best work from its employees.

In 2013, Mary Townley and Elizabeth Redford took over the internship program. They opened participation to all of the major school systems in the Greater Richmond Area. They expanded the program to add many additional departments, so that interns could be placed individually into departments and have the best opportunity to gain independence. Mary and Elizabeth, as special educators, added a daily classroom component. They knew that vocational training would help their students gain employment, but education would help them keep employment.

In order to serve more students, The Next Move Program became a separate 501 (c)(3) organization in December of 2015.

In 2019, programming was launched in Williamsburg through a partnership with The College of William & Mary. This site is funded through a grant by The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities.

Tablespoons Baking was launched as an Alumni offering in 2017. That became the start of Tablespoons Bakery, a job training and supported employment site run by Next Move. It opened in November 2021.