Summer Youth Program
The Greencorps Chicago Youth Program (GCYP) is a 6-week summer employment program that exposes youth ages 16-19 to careers and service projects in sustainability related to bicycling and horticulture.
Transformative Program Goals
Skill Acquisition and Career Pathways
Increase exposure to and awareness of environmental opportunities through bicycle safety and maintenance experience and community-based STEAM projects.
Youth Empowerment and Identity Development
Increase sense of identity and agency to self, community, and the natural world.
Civic & Community Engagement
Empower youth to engage positively in their community and daily civic life.
Experiential Learning Curriculum Approach
Sustainability Program Content Overview
- Bike technical skills & safe city cycling
- Gardening & urban agriculture
- Plant science
- Ecosystems & ecological restoration
- Urban forestry
- Nutrition & food systems
- Career readiness & pathway exploration
Positive Youth Outcome
- Developed bicycle technical skills
- Practiced life and work readiness skills
- Built identity and agency within the environmental field
- Realized the importance of caring for their community through active participation
- Achieved a sense of belonging contributing to improved mental and physical well-being
…and had a lot of fun along the way!
9/10 stars
In the end of program survey, 90% of youth participants would recommend or highly recommend this program to a friend.
This program pushes you to help your community, and you get fit with bike rides and the hard labor!
-Solorio Youth
It was fun and I learned new things while getting paid!
-Orr Youth
I had fun! I met new people and had great times with my peers. Working on the farm was the best part.
-Richards Youth