Gary Comer Youth Center

Founded in 2006, GCYC prepares young people from all backgrounds aged 11-24 for college, careers and futures as global citizens.  Its focus has always been health and education equity and community investment to yield high-quality opportunities in all areas. Its approach to youth development is intentionally comprehensive, integrating academic support, out-of-school time enrichment activities, and career exploration. This Includes wraparound services, such as counseling referrals, onsite healthcare, restorative justice services, and food systems support. Since its opening with an 80,000 sq. ft. facility, it has grown into a nationally recognized model for youth development. Key milestones include starting a two-acre farm (2010), opening an ACCESS Health Network clinic (2011), offering free daily meal service (2021), and opening the Francie Comer Culinary Center (2022), and the Best Buy Teen Tech Center (2025).

Issue

How can GCYC expand earned income from its Urban Farming and Culinary Arts programs?

Situation 

GCYC’s Urban Agriculture and Culinary Arts programs have been cornerstones of its youth employment programming for over a decade.  Beginning in 6th grade, youth can explore the ideas of sustainability, urban farming, and food justice, and continue that learning through high school programming, eventually earning a position in the Comer Corps, a registered apprenticeship for youth aged 18-24 in the GCYC kitchen or at the farm. Apprentices run the farm and farmer’s market, meal service and catering operations, gaining an immersive experience in community food systems.  Their work provides over 5,000 pounds of healthy food pantry donations to the local community.

GCYC recently lost a long-term government grant that supported the apprenticeships, creating a $250,000 budget gap for fiscal year 2026. It needs to restore and expand earned revenue to be financially sustainable long term, reducing reliance on grant funds.  Pre-COVID GCYC earned about $110,000 annually from sales of farm produce and event catering.

Project 

GCYC is asking for ACT’s help to develop a roadmap for the Urban Agriculture and Culinary programs to become self-sustaining through earned revenue plans. The ACT team will need to evaluate market opportunities for various farm products including pricing and sales strategies.   Market research and marketing communication strategies will be the key to expanding event catering revenue.   The team will also have to help GCYC balance revenue opportunity with resource constraints where resources are deployed to support its local community missions.

Depending on team capacity and project timing, the work could result in a detailed business plan for one or both programs.