Community Youth Development Institute - CYDI

Meet Sandra Walker, a CYDI Class of 2026 graduate who used to doubt every cut, every measurement, every move, and learned to trust herself anyway.

Sandra came in with a different picture of her future. Singing, dancing, the usual. CYDI introduced her to construction, and something clicked. Real tools. Real work. Real confidence she didn't have before.

She also came in rude. She'll say it herself. But the school taught her how to talk to people, how to listen, how to respect what somebody else is going through.

"Construction is always mistakes. You going to make mistakes. That's normal, even in life."

Miss Ali kept her going on the days she didn't want to. Half asleep, unmotivated, didn't matter. She got pushed to finish what she started.

Now Sandra's crossing the stage with one of the biggest goals of her life knocked off. And she knows how important that is, even if most people don't realize it yet.

Enroll now and give your student a place where they can become who they're meant to be.
Visit cydiready.org | Link in bio

Sandra Walker | CYDI Interview In this episode, we sit down with Amaria to hear all about her expe...

Meet Amaurielle, a CYDI Class of 2026 graduate who was a year behind and wasn't planning on finishing.

She'll tell you straight. She didn't think she'd graduate. But the teachers at CYDI wouldn't let her quit on herself, and that support changed everything.

The biggest lesson she learned? Everything doesn't need a reaction.

"The teachers are really helpful. Get close to them. Don't push them away."

That's advice from someone who almost didn't make it and is walking across the stage because she did. A school that refuses to give up, even when the student is ready to.

Enroll now and give your student a place where they can become who they're meant to be.
Visit cydiready.org | Link in bio

Amaurielle Wickliffe | CYDI Interview In this episode, we sit down with Amaurielle Wickliffe to hear all ...

Meet Amaria, a CYDI Class of 2026 graduate who walked in nervous and walked out with a plan.

A small school made her uneasy at first. Over time, it became the reason she thrived. Smaller meant closer. Closer meant real support, real guidance, and people who made sure her path to graduation was clear.

The biggest lesson CYDI taught her? It doesn't hurt to ask for help.

"Graduating means I finished something I started when I was six years old. I'm finally completing it."

That's not just a diploma. That's a promise she kept to herself. And now she's heading to college for forensic science.

That's CYDI.

Enroll now and give your student a place where they can become who they're meant to be.

Visit cydiready.org | Link in bio

Amaria | CYDI Interview In this episode, we sit down with Amaria to hear all about her expe...

Your path to a diploma doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. 💚

At CYDI, you can learn at your pace, receive support built around your needs, and prepare for college, a career, the military, or the trades.

Be part of a school community that recognizes your strengths, listens to your goals, and helps you keep moving forward.

Through personalized instruction, hands-on learning, mentorship, and career preparation, you can build skills that matter in school and beyond.

Your next chapter can start now. Reimagine school and enroll today.

🔗 Learn more through the link in our bio.

Know a young adult ready to build practical skills and explore a career in clean energy?

Community Development Institute, offers YouthBuild Global Solar, combining hands-on solar training with workplace safety, construction knowledge, career preparation, and work-based learning.

Learn more and apply:
https://cdichicago.org/workforce/youthbuild-solar/

Meet James Harris, a 2026 CYDI graduate who had the vision but not the push until he got here.

James knew what he wanted. He just didn't have people outside his family telling him to go get it. CYDI changed that. Real mentors. Real motivation. The kind that hits different when it comes from someone who chose to believe in you.

Then came basketball. That season shifted something. Gave him ambition he didn't know he had and showed him a version of himself he'd never seen on the court.
"Honestly, I never thought I'd graduate. I was blowing grades. But I made it. I'm graduating the right year."

That's not luck. That's a student who found the right environment and ran with it.
That's CYDI.

Enroll now and give your student a place where they can become who they're meant to be.

Visit cydiready.org | Link in bio

James Harris | CYDI Interview In this episode, we sit down with James Harris to hear all about hi...