CTC Information

Over the past year, Chicago has seen a rise in what people are calling “teen takeovers.” Large groups of young people gathering in public spaces, often organized through social media. Sometimes it’s harmless. Sometimes it escalates. Either way, it has everyone asking the same question: What is going on with our youth? But if we pause for a moment and look deeper, the answer is not as complicated as it seems. Teen takeovers are not just a public safety issue. They are a signal. A signal that...

When you donate to Chicago Training Center (CTC), you are investing in far more than a sport. You are investing in access, equity, opportunity, and in the belief that every young person deserves the chance to discover what’s possible for their future. CTC is one of the only rowing programs in the nation that is completely free for every athlete. Rowing is traditionally an expensive sport—boats, oars, travel, coaches, regatta fees, uniforms—but we remove every barrier so that cost never...

At Chicago Training Center (CTC), we believe something powerful: when you increase access, you increase opportunity — and when you increase opportunity, you expand the future. For nearly 20 years, CTC has opened doors for Chicago youth who deserve consistent access to safe spaces, caring mentorship, and new experiences that help shape who they will become. As we’ve grown, one thing has become clear: expanding access—whether to equipment, coaching, transportation, or competitive...