Academic and Career Pathways

Study Buddies provides middle school aged youth a safe drop-in learning environment where they can focus, utilize academic resources, learn executive functioning skills, and get help from tutors.

Leaps and Bounds is a high school readiness program for ninth graders. We support the ninth grade student with a holistic approach: we teach high school readiness skills, provide small group social emotional learning and mentoring, as well as help freshman look towards their future and build career readiness skills. We also provide one-on-one academic supports and a space for ninth graders to spend time together and enjoy themselves.

Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves: high school students from low-income families; and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education

Our Gary Comer Youth Center Upward Bound program will provide:

Key Services

➢ academic tutoring to enable students to complete secondary or postsecondary courses, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science, and other subjects

➢ information, activities, and instruction designed to acquaint youth participating in the project with the range of career options available to the youth

➢ mentoring programs involving teachers or counselors, faculty members at institutions of higher education, students, or any combination of these persons

➢ during the academic year and/or the summer, courses to enhance the academic performance of students in the following subjects: mathematics through pre-calculus, lab science; foreign language, composition (English), literature (reading)

➢ exposure to the campuses of institutions of higher education, as well as cultural events, academic programs, and other sites or activities not usually available to disadvantaged youth

➢ assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations and completing college admission applications

➢ information on the full range of Federal student financial aid programs and benefits (including Federal Pell Grant awards and loan forgiveness), and assistance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

➢ resources for locating public and private scholarships

Other Services

➢ advice and assistance in secondary course selection and, if applicable, initial postsecondary course selection

➢ connections to education or counseling services designed to improve the financial literacy and economic literacy of students of the students’ parents, including financial planning for postsecondary education

➢ work-study positions where youth participating in the project are exposed to careers requiring a postsecondary degree

➢ guidance and assistance in secondary school reentry; alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts that lead to the receipt of a regular secondary school diploma; entry into general educational development (GED) programs; or postsecondary education

To learn more or ask questions, please email Ashley Harris aharris@gcychome.org or call him at 773-358-4100. Thank you!

The Talent Search program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to and complete their postsecondary education. The program publicizes the availability of financial aid and assist participant with the postsecondary application process. Talent Search also encourages persons who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education.

In short, the goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education.

Our Gary Comer Youth Center Talent Search (GCYC-TS) program will provide:

Key Services:

➢ connections to high quality academic tutoring services to enable students to complete secondary or postsecondary courses, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science, and other subjects

➢ personal and career counseling, including activities designed to acquaint youth with the range of career options available

➢ mentoring programs involving teachers or counselors, faculty members at institutions of higher education, students, or any combination of these persons (also GCYC staff)

➢ assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations and completing college admission applications

➢ information on the full range of federal student financial aid programs and benefits, and assistance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

➢ exposure to the campuses of institutions of higher education, as well as cultural events, academic programs (i.e. summer programs for high school students), and other sites or activities not usually available to disadvantaged youth

Other Services:

➢ advice and assistance in secondary course selection and, if applicable, initial postsecondary course selection

➢ workshops and counseling for families of participants served

➢ connections to education or counseling services designed to improve the financial literacy and economic literacy of students of the students’ parents, including financial planning for postsecondary education

➢ guidance and assistance in secondary school reentry; alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts that lead to the receipt of a regular secondary school diploma; entry into general educational development (GED) programs; or postsecondary education

➢ personalized referrals for services related to mental health counseling with our Youth Support Services team, health and nutrition guidance from our Culinary Arts team, medical needs from our on-campus ACCESS Community Health clinic, and more based on need

To learn more or ask questions, please email Natasha Webb nwebb@gcychome.org or call him at 773-358-4100. Thank you!

Our goal is for EVERY GCYC Senior to graduate with an authentic, researched, and actionable post-secondary plan. For Seniors who are interested in really digging into post-secondary counseling, Our Post-Secondary Counselor is available to meet with Seniors monthly (or more often if needed) to dig into post-secondary counseling with the GCYC Benchmark Curriculum. This support is perfect for Seniors who do not have the opportunity to meet with their College Counselor at school OR who are looking for extra support.

GCYC is excited to expand our Academic Success Skills Workshop series to ALL GCYC Programs and school partners. These workshops will focus on academic / executive functioning skills lessons with a specific focus on a the skills that students need to be successful in school. Workshops are tailored by grade level (Middle School and High School) and are led by a member of the GCYC College Prep Team. We aim for workshops to be around 45minutes in length, but can adjust based on scheduling needs. Workshops are offered synchronously and asynchronously for instructor flexibility.

Sample Workshops

• How to Effectively Take Notes: This workshop on effective note taking strategies will go over how to take clear comprehensive notes which will better help you understand and learn material for your course assignments or exams.
• Growth Mindset: The first workshop lesson for ninth grade is on growth mindset, something we all should be mindful of during this time when we are having to learn so much that is new to us. The concept of growth mindset is the belief that challenges and mistakes are ways to grow. Research shows that when students have a growth mindset, they tend to have better academic outcomes overall.
• Productivity: Do your students struggle with time management? Would you like them to learn strategies about how to be more productive daily? Well, this is the workshop for you! Through some interactive activities, students will reflect on how they are using their time and research strategies that could help them prioritize their daily responsibilities.
• Financial Aid: The Post-Secondary topics workshops are intended for seniors, but other grade levels can benefit from it. This month’s workshop focuses in on the various forms of financial aid (Grants, Scholarships, Loans) that young people will need to understand and take advantage of in order to finance their post-secondary path.