20 Years of Impact
Celebrating 20 years of transforming lives, one young person at a time. Since 2006, GCYC has been the heartbeat of youth empowerment in our community, Building Excellence, Strength & Transformation on Chicago's South Side. Join us as we honor two decades of empowering youth and transforming lives.
The BEST is Here.
For 20 years, GCYC has stood for Building Excellence, Empowering youth, Strengthening community, and Transforming lives. We create pathways for youth to discover their potential, develop their talents, and build brighter futures through comprehensive programs that change lives and strengthen our entire community.
Gary Comer had a vision: to create a place where every young person could discover their potential, develop their talents, and build a brighter future. 20 years later, that vision lives on stronger than ever. GCYC has become a beacon of hope and opportunity on Chicago's South Side, providing comprehensive programs that nurture academic excellence, creative expression, health and wellness, and career readiness. Our story is one of resilience, community, and the transformative power of believing in young people.
Celebrate with us!
Lit Fest
A Black History Month Celebration of Literacy in Our Community
Saturday, February 28, 2026
For centuries, literacy has been a cornerstone of empowerment within the Black community — from reading and storytelling to financial independence, health awareness, and digital fluency. Lit Fest honors that legacy through immersive workshops, panels, performances, and interactive experiences, youth and families will explore how knowledge in all its forms shapes our ability to thrive, tell our stories, and lead change.
Harvest Dinner
A Youth-Led Night to Remember
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Don't miss the 3rd Annual Harvest Dinner celebrating the young people in our Culinary Arts and Urban Agriculture programs. This unique event pairs GCYC's Culianry Arts and Urban Farmer Apprentices with distinguished chefs, urban farmers, local florists and small buisness owners to bring our campus gardens and urban farm to life for a one-of-a-kind, youth-led, farm-to-table dinner.