GARY COMER YOUTH CENTER
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Mission Statement
The Gary Comer Youth Center on the Comer Education Campus was established in May 2006 as part of a community revitalization project in Chicago's Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. Our mission is to ensure students graduate from high school prepared for college and careers. We provide a safe and supportive environment for youth after school, on weekends and during school hours. We are committed to developing the full potential, talent and skill of young people from 5th grade through college graduation. We offer programming in three primary categories: academics, enrichment and college success.
About This Cause
The Comer Education Campus is comprised of Gary Comer Youth Center, Gary Comer College Prep and Gary Comer Middle School, and is open to students from across the South Side of Chicago. Working with best-in-class partners, we currently serve over 2,000 youth annually. With a comprehensive approach to education and youth development, the Campus is dedicated to helping youth achieve their personal, academic, and professional aspirations. The Comer Education Campus program areas include: Academic Enhancement The Gary Comer Youth Center provides academic programs that provide a support network for elementary and high school students, building a foundation for lifelong learning. Members have access to one-on-one and small group tutoring and homework help, and programs such as Leaps and Bounds and Upward Bound programs. College readiness programs and supports include pre-college courses, academic coaching, and in-college support. Media & Technology Youth are exposed to the latest technology in the Youth Center’s state-of-the-art recording and television studios as well as the computer lab. Through GCYC’s technology programming, youth explore and build skills related to technical careers, such as graphic and web design, robotics, game creation, word processing, sound engineering and video production. The Youth Center operates a technology center, which provides youth access to technology to build skills, work on special projects, and complete applications for scholarships, jobs, colleges and universities. Visual, Cultural and Performing Arts The Gary Comer Youth Center integrates arts into a variety of programs, and also offers a range of arts-specific programs for youth. Members may participate in visual arts classes such as painting, sculpture, and design, as well as arts-integrated technology programs such as comic book production, video production, and animation. Students enjoy performing arts such as modern and hip hop dance classes, music production, stage production, choir, piano, drumming, band, and spoken word. Civic Engagement & Leadership Development GCYC provides its youth members with programs that focus on civic responsibility, as well as personal and community development. Youth lead projects that address community needs such as recycling, safety, environmental stewardship, senior citizen support and neighborhood beautification. Students learn to manage projects by participating in leadership roles, facilitate meetings, plan events and fundraise. Programs allow youth to sharpen leadership skills, build self-esteem and develop positive relationships. Urban Agriculture & Culinary Arts The GCYC gardens provide a laboratory for youth to make connections between a wide variety of subjects including agriculture, horticulture, soil and food sciences, and STEM. GCYC provides internships, employment and career exploration programs for youth. Through the Green Teens program, youth support and maintain GCYC’s Rooftop Garden and the 1.75 acre Youth Education Garden. GCYC’s kitchen programs allow youth to explore culinary careers while learning food preparation and cooking skills. Sports, Fitness & Recreation The Youth Center is committed to the physical well-being of members. The Youth Center offers team sports such as volleyball, flag football, basketball and kickball. Youth are also challenged to reach their personal physical best through fitness and nutrition classes, and personal training. Activities are grounded in best practices, including the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, Common Core Standards and SPARK. During May 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama visited GCYC with the spouses of foreign leaders to recognize its impact on the lives of young people. The White House Council for Community Solutions featured GCYC as an exemplary institution serving as a model for other communities.