Chicago Muslim Youth & Family Center

Chicago's South Side has one of the largest Muslim communities in the Midwest, and one of the highest rates of youth disengagement, gang involvement, and school dropout among Muslim teenagers in any US city.

The two are connected. When young Muslims have nowhere to go after school — nowhere that reflects their identity, their values, and their culture — they are left to find belonging wherever they can. Too often, that means finding it in the wrong places.

We are building a solution.

The Chicago Muslim Youth & Family Center (CMYFC) will be a 4,500 sq ft facility on East 63rd Street, serving young people aged 10–25. We have a 10-year lease signed. We need fit-out funds.

What the Center will offer:

• After-school homework and tutoring programme (Mon–Fri)
• Basketball court and multi-sport space
• Art, calligraphy, and creative workshops
• Mentorship pairing with Muslim professionals
• Sisters' space with dedicated programming
• Teen Quran and Islamic studies circles
• Careers and college application support
• Family counselling referral services

Budget breakdown:

Item	Cost
Construction and partitioning	$72,000
Sports court installation	$38,000
Furniture and equipment	$31,000
Technology (computers, projectors, sound)	$18,000
Kitchen fit-out	$12,000
Exterior signage and security	$9,000
Contingency	$20,000
Total	$200,000

We are being led by Imam Dr. Khalid Yasin (no relation to the scholar) and a board of 7 community leaders. We have the backing of the Islamic Council of Illinois and three local masajid who will refer families to us.

"The best of people are those who benefit people most." (Al-Mu'jam Al-Awsat)

Invest in a generation. Invest in a city. Invest in the ummah.