Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

• Chicago Youth Centers
• September 18, 2024
• Chicago, IL

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About Chicago Youth Centers

The mission of Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) is to provide high-quality early learning and out-of-school time enrichment in under-resourced neighborhoods to holistically support children of all ages, their families, and their communities. Since 1956, Chicago Youth Centers (“CYC”) has been the place Where Possibility Lives : a trusted partner on Chicago’s South and West sides, ensuring that kids have a safe place they can go to explore, to discover, to process, and ultimately to envision a bright future that they can create for themselves. In early learning classrooms, afterschool programs, and summer day camps, youth ages 15 months to 18 years find joy in learning, grow socially and emotionally, and build skills for the jobs of tomorrow. CYC children are deeply engaged, with many attending our after-school programs five days a week, 48 weeks a year.

CYC operates programs for youth and families from 13 locations, predominantly on the south and west sides of the city. It employs over 120 personnel and had a budget of over $10 million in FY23. CYC served over 1,300 children in FY23, more than 80% of whom were Black or African American. The organization is growing, having recently opened a new youth center in the Calumet Heights neighborhood. Recently, CYC completed a strategic planning process aimed at increasing the number of kids served and further enhancing the quality of its programs. The strategic planning process has been complemented by a capital campaign focused on investing in quality programs, our people, and facilities.

The Opportunity

The Board seeks a leader with passion for serving children and families. The individual will be a proven and respected leader whose skills will inspire continued growth in fundraising, stakeholder engagement and brand awareness. Internally, they will maintain excellence in the content and delivery of CYC’s programming and services, ensuring that it continues to adapt and innovate to best meet the needs of the youth and families we serve. Additionally, the right candidate will be a “culture-first” CEO, that understands the environment with which Heart-Centered staff want to work and thrive.