Programs crafted in Gage Park

At GPLXC, we don’t believe in "charity", we believe in mutual aid. Our programs are built by and for the residents of Gage Park, rooted in the radical idea that our community already has the power and beauty it needs to thrive; it just needs the space to let it shine.

We turn informal acts of neighborly care into life-saving infrastructure.

At GPLXC we’ve moved beyond organizing for basic survival to building collective holistic thriving.

Our programs blend:

  • Art & Culture: Using creativity to learn, claim space and tell our own stories.

  • Mental Health: We integrate trauma-informed, community-based care into all of our programs.

  • Social-Emotional Learning: Equipping our community to lead with joy and resilience.

  • Mutual-Aid: Leaning on the knowledge and skills that already exist within our community.

Learn more
Group of children and adults smiling and posing in front of a colorful banner that reads 'Pequeños Soñadores,' with drawings and decorations, outside a building with flowers and chalk drawings on the sidewalk.

Pequenos Soñadores:

Free Summer Art Camp

Celebrate a summer of growth at the 8th Annual Pequenos Soñadores: Free Summer Art Camp. Created by GPLXC, this immersive two-month journey invites youth (ages 7–11) to explore the vibrant intersection of nature, creativity, and community. Three days a week, our Pequenos Soñadores step into a supportive space where art becomes a tool for social-emotional learning and environmental discovery. It’s more than just a camp; it’s a place where young artists build lasting friendships and discover their unique voices.

Applications open May 1st, 2026: Space is limited, so prepare to secure your child’s spot in this transformative Gage Park summer tradition.

Sign up for alrets

Juntas Nos Apoyamos:

Juntas Nos Apoyamos is more than a support group; it is a sacred space for women and femme-identifying neighbors in Gage Park to exhale, connect, and reclaim their collective well-being. This program honors the traditional networks of support and shared wisdom that have sustained Latinx communities for generations.

In a world that demands our constant labor, we believe that intentional rest and community building are radical acts of liberation. This is a space where we move from surviving to thriving by integrating ancestral knowledge with social-emotional learning and somatic techniques as tools for emotional and physical health.

Spring and Fall cohorts are available annually. Sign up to be the first to know when applications open.

Group of women sitting at a table during a meeting in a room with green walls and a colorful mural featuring a tree, mushrooms, and a river.
Sign up for alrets
A group of people sitting around a table during a presentation or discussion in a decorated room with purple and holographic hanging decorations.

Queer Riot:

Echoes of Queer Resistance and Resilience

Step into a space of radical belonging with Queer Riot: Echoes of Queer Resistance and Resilience, a GPLXC program dedicated to the mental health and creative power of our LGBTQ+ youth community. This cohort-based journey moves beyond traditional support, blending somatic wellness, the practice of grounding and "shaking out" trauma, with a deep dive into our collective Queer history. Through peer-led support and a unique Queer history project, participants explore how resistance is a form of healing and how our resilience creates a roadmap for the future. Join us as we center intentionality, care, and the vibrant culture of Queer Latinx life on the Southwest Side.

Sign up for alrets
People participating in a yoga class in a studio, sitting on mats with arms raised overhead, facing a large window with trees outside.

Yoga en Espanol

In a political climate that often seeks to dehumanize or keep us in a constant state of hyper-vigilance, rest and internal connection become acts of resistance. At GPLXC, we understand that our minds and bodies are not separate from our struggle; therefore, we offer our Spanish language Yoga classes as a sanctuary for the community.

For us, yoga is more than just physical exercise; it is a somatic practice designed to reconnect our people with their own bodies and minds. In times of uncertainty, trauma, and stress are stored in our muscles and our breath. Through our free wellness programs, we aim to release those tensions, allowing our community to reclaim their right to mental peace and physical integrity.

Sign up
Older woman exercising outdoors on track with younger women in background.

Zumba Gratis

At GPLXC, we believe that liberation is a physical practice. Our work toward social justice and equity cannot be separated from the vitality of our bodies; to sustain the struggle for a better world, we must first sustain ourselves.

We are thrilled to introduce our Free Zumba Program, a space where fitness meets radical joy. In many Latino cultures, rhythm and dance are more than just entertainment; they are ancestral tools for storytelling, survival, and communal healing. By bringing these cultural elements into our wellness programs, we reclaim movement as a vital form of mental health support and emotional release.

Tuesdays

sign up

Free Children’s Books

At GPLXC, we believe that a book in the hands of a young reader is a spark for change. Our commitment to literacy is deeply personal; our organization’s journey began within the walls of a local library that faced issues with defunding, fueling our mission to ensure that no community is left without the resources to learn and grow. Since then, we have proudly distributed thousands of books to readers of all ages, a feat made possible through the unwavering support of our partners at Open Books. By providing these books at no cost, we aren't just filling shelves; we’re honoring our roots and ensuring that the right to read remains accessible to everyone, regardless of their zip code.

Drop in to pick up a book during our open hours.

A young girl with dark hair and bangs reading a colorful book indoors, standing in front of a blackboard covered with drawings and writings, with a cafe or library setting visible in the background.
A young girl with dark hair and a black headband is leaning over a wooden table, writing on a notepad with a pink pencil. She is wearing a navy blue shirt, and there are sheets of paper and a yellow pencil on the table.

Academic Support

Our academic support programs at GPLXC are designed to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity. Born from our legacy at our local library, these initiatives provide students with the high-quality tutoring, mentorship, and study resources they need to thrive in a demanding educational landscape. We don't just focus on grades; we focus on building the confidence and critical thinking skills that stay with a student long after the final exam. Whether it’s through one-on-one sessions or collaborative workshops, we meet every learner where they are, ensuring that the loss of traditional community spaces never stands in the way of academic excellence.

Homework Help: Tuesdays and Thursdays through May 28th, 3:30-5:30 pm