Our Beginning
Founded in 1998 by CEO Angelina Zayas, GAP Community Center has grown from neighborhood events into a powerful movement of service and empowerment, rooted in the heart of Chicago. Through partnerships, youth programs, and vital services like our Choice Food Store, we've continued to unlock the potential of our community—even through the challenges of COVID-19—by offering hope, support, and connection every step of the way.
WHAT WE DO
Our Mission
We are unlocking the potential in and with our community by providing dignified access to food, connecting individuals with vital social services, and empowering change through advocacy events that meet real, everyday needs.
Discover the lasting impact we've made in our community through initiatives like our Choice Food Store, youth programs, and vital partnerships. Click here to see how we've been unlocking potential and creating change, and learn how you can contribute.
OUR WORK
What We Do
The purpose of the community center is to provide a variety services to families in the northwest side of Chicago in order to build on individual, family and community strengths and develop the individuals' and families' capacity to thrive. We’re helping our community thrive by offering respectful access to nutritious food, linking people to essential social services, and driving meaningful change through events that respond to the real needs of everyday life.
WE VALUE:
Respectful Access
We believe everyone deserves dignified access to nutritious food, honoring the inherent worth of every individual in our community.
Holistic Support
We connect people to essential social services, understanding that thriving requires addressing diverse and interconnected needs.
Community-Driven Change
We organize meaningful events that respond directly to the real challenges faced in everyday life, fostering lasting positive impact.
Choice Food Store
Our Choice Food Store is committed to supporting our community with dignity and care by providing access to nutritious food three days a week, every week.
Community Events
We design and host impactful events that are thoughtfully tailored to address the real-world challenges people encounter in their daily lives. Through intentional planning and a deep understanding of these issues, our events aim to spark meaningful conversations, empower communities, and create enduring positive change that resonates well beyond the event itself.
Social Services
Through compassionate guidance and trusted partnerships, we connect individuals and families to vital resources, including housing assistance, medical care, and legal support.
Garden Initiative
We are dedicated to serving every member of the Chicago community—regardless of citizenship status. Our goal is to ensure everyone has access to the services they need to live with stability and dignity.
“Thanks to these services, I not only receive food for my family, but also support and a sense of belonging I didn’t know I could have.”
— Choice Food Store Client
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