Gary Comer Youth Center

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Gary Comer Youth Center

We prepare young people for college, careers and futures as well-rounded, global citizens. Summer Camp registration is open!!!

Call membership at 773-358-4100 to set an appointment, learn more and register your rising 6th - 8th grader at today at while spots last!

08/14/2026

✨ TICKETS ARE NOW LIVE: HARVEST DINNER - SEPTEMBER 24TH ✨ GCYC’s culinary apprentices spend time leading up to the event learning, creating and gaining hands-on experience alongside Chicago chef mentors!

Our culinary apprentices recently had the awesome opportunity to work alongside Chef Rafa of Gilda, learning from his expertise and getting a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring a dish from concept to table 👨‍🍳✨

We’re so proud of this year’s GCYC culinary apprentices and can’t wait to see their creativity come to life at Harvest Dinner er 🌱🍽️ Here’s what’s in store for September 24th as we’ll be celebrating 20 years of impact at our 3rd annual Harvest Dinner:

🍹 Twilight cocktail hour with farm-fresh bites and garden-inspired cocktails
🌸 Interactive rooftop garden + hydroponics tour led by youth leaders from the Comer FFA Chapter
🌱 A multi-course farm-to-table dinner at the GCYC Food Sovereignty Hub, where culinary apprentices collaborate with Chicago mentor chefs using produce grown and harvested by GCYC youth

🎟️ Join us for an evening celebrating the talent, leadership and creativity of GCYC youth. Click the link in bio to get your tickets and learn more about Harvest Dinner 2026!

08/10/2026

This Friday, August 14th, 3pm-7pm at the Gary Comer Youth Center, join us for our annual Greater Together Back to School Block Party - our biggest community celebration of the year!

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of free food, music, games, arts & crafts, water activities, go-karts, a rock-climbing wall, raffles, and valuable community resources. Plus, we’ll be giving away hundreds of free backpacks and school supplies (while supplies last) to help students start the new school year with confidence.

✨ RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/greater-together-back-to-school-block-party-tickets-1986239987270

07/30/2026

We’re excited to share that Gary Comer Youth Center is a finalist for the 2026 Cubs Charities Community Awards, presented by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation! The awards recognize nonprofits making a difference for young people through sports and education.

We’re asking our community to help us earn a $10,000 grant that would support the programs and opportunities our youth count on every day. Every vote helps us continue creating spaces where young people can learn, grow, explore their passions, and build bright futures.

🗳️ Vote for Gary Comer Youth Center once per day through August 21st: https://www.mlb.com/cubs/community/cubs-charities/community-awards/vote

Voting is limited to one vote per day, per email address. Thank you for taking a moment to support our youth ❤️

07/27/2026

Meet Cordé Perryman, a pre-apprentice in our Visual Arts Program who is entering his senior year of high school and has been part of the youth program at Gary Comer Youth Center for about four years! 🎨

In this video, Cordé reflects on his experience working with Green Star Movement to help create the E. 71st Street mural, sharing how the project allowed him to make a lasting impact on his community.

Through the GCYC Visual Arts Program, Cordé has discovered that art is about much more than creating. Along the way, he’s strengthened his communication skills, grown as a leader, and learned how to mentor younger artists by teaching them new techniques and encouraging their creativity.

We’re proud to see young leaders like Cordé use art to build connections, inspire others, and create lasting change in their community ✨

As we continue this summer of programming, your support helps make opportunities like these possible. Please consider making a donation to invest in the next generation of young leaders ➡️ Visit garycomeryouthcenter.org/donate

07/22/2026

🎉 The official Grand Opening of the Best Buy Teen Tech Center at Gary Comer Youth Center is tomorrow! Hear from GCYC alum Joi Lee as she gives an exclusive sneak peek inside the new Best Buy Teen Tech Center 👀✨

This is where creativity meets technology! From audio engineering and film production to graphic design, screen printing, 3D printing, virtual reality, and more, youth are gaining hands-on experience, building real-world skills, and exploring future career paths alongside supportive mentors. In partnership with the Best Buy Foundation, the Best Buy Teen Tech Center empowers young people to discover their passions, develop in-demand tech skills, and prepare for the careers of tomorrow.

The Best Buy Teen Tech Center is open to all youth ages 13–18 during summer drop-in hours:

✨ Monday-Thursday: 2-4pm
✨ Friday: 12-4pm
✨ Saturday: 8am-4pm

07/17/2026

This past Wednesday, youth from Gary Comer Youth Center had the incredible opportunity to participate in a soccer clinic with the Chicago Stars FC before cheering on the FIFA World Cup together at a community watch party hosted by Home Court at the Obama Presidential center by Obama Foundation ✨

From learning new drills and sharpening their skills on the field, our youth had an amazing day filled with teamwork, fun, and inspiration. We’re so grateful to be part of a community that invests in young people and creates opportunities like these!

Thank you to Home Court for hosting such a fun watch party and creating a space for our youth to celebrate the game together. Shoutout to After School Matters, Chicago Sky, Chicago Tempest and Chicago Winds for also making this amazing experience possible! ⚽ ❤️

07/13/2026

What an incredible day celebrating the grand opening of our Food Sovereignty Hub & Farmer’s Market last Friday! 🌿

We heard inspiring speeches from:
🌱 Kingston, a current apprentice in GCYC’s Urban Agriculture Production Program, who shared his experience and growth through the program
🌱 Sanaa, who began their journey as a participant in GCYC’s Green Teen Program, became a Comer Crops intern, and now serves as our Urban Agriculture Program Instructor - a true testament to the opportunities and pathways created at GCYC
🌱 Executive Director Remy, who spoke about the importance of food access, community, and creating opportunities for our youth

The GCYC Farmer’s Market is now open every Tuesday and Friday from 3-6pm throughout the summer! Stop by for farm tours, to shop fresh, locally grown produce grown by our youth, browse artwork created by participants in our Visual Arts Program, and enjoy baked goods and other treats made by our Culinary Arts program. Every purchase supports youth learning while showcasing the incredible talents of our young people. You’ll also find a variety of local business vendors, making the market a vibrant community gathering place 🥬🎨🍪

As we continue another summer of transformative programming, please consider making a donation to help us provide meaningful learning opportunities for our youth.

➡️ Visit garycomeryouthcenter.org/donate ✨

07/09/2026

💻✨ Introducing the Best Buy Teen Tech Center at the Gary Comer Youth Center!

This is where creativity meets technology. Through hands-on experiences in audio engineering, film production, screen printing, graphic design, 3D printing, virtual reality, and more, our youth are building real-world skills alongside supportive mentors. An initiative of the Best Buy Foundation, this program empowers young people through opportunities to explore their passions, develop in-demand tech skills, and prepare for the careers of the future.

🎉 The official Grand Opening of the Best Buy Teen Tech Center is just two weeks away on July 23, marking an exciting new chapter of innovation, creativity, and opportunity for our youth.

The Best Buy Teen Tech Center is open to all youth ages 13–18 during summer drop-in hours:
✨ Monday-Thursday: 2-4pm
✨ Friday: 12-4pm
✨ Saturday: 9am-5pm

Stop by to explore the latest technology, work on creative projects, and connect with mentors. If you’re not currently enrolled in another GCYC program, be sure to complete the Partner Membership Form with a parent or guardian before attending: https://tinyurl.com/5hffaxaf

The future is being built right here. 🚀

Address

7200 S Ingleside Avenue
Chicago, IL
60619

Telephone

+17733584100

Website

http://www.garycomeryouthcenter.org/, http://garycomeryouthcenter.org/benefit, https://www.garycomeryouthcenter.org/geti

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