CYC’s Out-of-School Time (OST) Enrichment program serves children ages 6-18, offering them a creative outlet to explore interests and build upon classroom knowledge while keeping them safe during critical afterschool hours. CYC’s existing program operates with a club-based model wherein school-age children and teens enroll in afterschool and summer programming for 3 hours a day, five days a week, for up to 48 weeks a year. Our ever-changing world requires young people to be equipped with strong social-emotional skills. These skills are embedded in our daily interactions and curriculum. Practicing these competencies today helps children build bright futures for themselves, their families, and our communities.

Our OST program is offered at three CYC Centers in Neighborhoods and six school-based CYC on Campus locations.

+ STEAM

To help CYC children explore and build a wide range of practical skills, we deliver a robust STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Music) education program to provide access to software, equipment, and expert one-on-one mentorship necessary to thrive.

In this program, youth explore many subjects including:

  • IT networking and coding
  • Electrical engineering and robotics
  • Biology and life sciences
  • and much more!

Many STEAM activities take place in the CYC Maker Lab, a creative and technical workshop where children become innovators. As they dream, design, and build, they develop technical skills, delve into critical thinking about complex problems, work in teams, and create masterpieces!

+ HEALTH AND WELLNESS

For our children to grow, dream, and thrive, their basic needs must be met. CYC provides healthy meals and snacks to all youth who attend our programs.

CYC’s Health and Wellness program provides nutritious meals and nutrition education, and helps children cultivate healthy lifestyles. We partner with organizations to teach families how to prepare healthy meals, make sustainable nutrition changes, and celebrate culture through food. CYC also provides a safe place for children to practice physical fitness and enjoy the outdoors.

Some popular Health and Wellness programs at CYC include:

  • Hip Hop and Ballet Dance
  • Martial Arts
  • Culinary
  • Sports and Recreation

+ ACADEMIC SUPPORT

At CYC, we define these non-cognitive skills as the Four C’s: communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity.

For every age group within our Centers, we create project-based learning opportunities that fuse academics with non-cognitive skill development so children can thrive wherever they are. Whether our children are engineering a robot in the Maker Lab, on a high-ropes course field trip, or creating a galaxy drawing in chalk, they are discovering and experiencing their unique potential.

Everyday from 3-4PM, our talented staff also provides homework help for all subjects and ages.

+ COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

CYC staff help connect youth's interests and dreams to possible career paths through all ages of our OST Program.

Because many CYC children are first-generation college students, staff members are ready to help guide families through:

  • Test preparation
  • Understanding the high school courses that will best prepare them for the colleges of their choice
  • Comparing financial aid packages and college fit
  • Writing effective and compelling college application essays
  • Sending students to college with the right supplies, expectations, and support systems in place

CYC youth also go on field trips to visit college campuses! Trips include tours and potentially attend events for current high schoolers, where college students share experiences and advice. When possible, CYC connects entering college students to other CYC alumni at their school to serve as mentors.

CYC also keeps in touch with college students, providing virtual guidance and support to help them persist and graduate.

+ OUTCOMES

In our most recent program year, survey results demonstrated the following reports from OST children:  

  • 86% of youth reported that when they grow up, they would like to have a job that allows them to be creative and innovative.
  • 91% of youth reported that when they can’t learn something right away, they keep trying until they get it.
  • 87% of youth reported that they like to learn new things in math.
  • 90% of youth reported that they enjoy building things.
  • 89% of youth reported that they are good at solving problems.

+ FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

CYC offers a variety of workshops, mentoring opportunities, and one-on-one meetings with parents to ensure that their children are receiving what they need to meet cognitive and behavioral milestones. We encourage parents to volunteer at our Centers to witness our work first-hand, build stronger bonds with their children, and develop a supportive network with other parents. Family Engagement is offered at all CYC locations.

We work with parents so they can better support their children’s academic progress. We emphasize the importance of completing homework, attending class regularly, and seeking out mentors—such as the teachers and youth workers at CYC—for guidance. We also offer recommendations to social service agencies and health providers as needed, so families are able to receive what they need to keep their children healthy and ready to persist in school.

CONTACT

Tina Ayala
Chief Operations Officer
tina.ayala@chicagoyouthcenters.org