When preparing young people for the future, we often focus on academic success, career readiness, and character development. While those areas are essential, some of the most important life lessons begin with something much more fundamental: knowing how to care for oneself and one’s family.
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC), cooking programs are helping young people build practical skills that will serve them for a lifetime. Along with learning recipes, participants learn to make healthy choices, stretch their resources, and build confidence in what they can do for themselves and their families.
Food access is one challenge. According to Feeding America’s Illinois Hunger Facts, nearly one in six children in Cook County experiences food insecurity. Nutrition is another: The CDC reports that approximately one in five children and adolescents in the United States has obesity, increasing their risk for serious health conditions later in life.
Establishing healthy habits early matters, but many families face barriers to accessing and preparing nutritious meals, while rising food costs put additional pressure on household budgets.
For some middle school-aged boys participating in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Club’s ‘Boys to Men Who Cook’ program in East Garfield Park, those challenges are part of daily life. Some members return home after school while a parent works a night shift, help care for younger siblings, and are often given $5 or $10 to purchase dinner.
The question was simple: What if young people had the tools to turn that same $10 into multiple nutritious meals instead of a single fast-food purchase?
Through the eight-week program, members learned how to safely use kitchen tools, grocery shop, budget, and prepare affordable meals using accessible ingredients found in their neighborhood. Many of the recipes cost less than $10 and could be prepared in 15 to 20 minutes, showing participants that healthy meals did not have to be expensive or complicated.
Skills That Go Beyond the Kitchen
A memorable lesson came when participants made salmon patties. Many initially insisted they would not try them. After preparing the meal together, they changed their minds and discovered they liked it.
That moment captured the broader purpose of the program. It was not just about introducing a new food; it was about encouraging curiosity, building confidence, and showing young people they are capable of more than they may realize.
By the end of the program, members were sharing recipes, celebrating their meals, and joking about who could cook best. They had also gained something more lasting: greater independence and confidence in their ability to contribute at home.
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How to Help
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) is one of the oldest youth development organizations in Chicago. Through a wide selection of programs, BGCC equips young people with the emotional, educational, physical, and cultural resources they need to enjoy their childhood and thrive in adulthood.
Susanna Wickham is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in Chicago’s civic and media sectors. As of June 2025, she has brought a dynamic blend of strategic, operational, and creative leadership to Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) as President and CEO. Prior to BGCC, Wickham served as the CEO of PAWS Chicago for four years, during which the organization experienced transformative growth in its resources, visibility, and impact.
