About The ARK Youth Entrepreneurship Program Community
The ARK is a dynamic youth entrepreneurship program community located in South Lawndale and Blue Island. We serve youth and young adults ages 5–23 through workforce development, vocational training, business education, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial learning.
We empower young people to discover their unique talents, develop valuable skills, and learn how to turn those skills into thriving businesses through our entrepreneurial courses.
Our Story
The ARK Entrepreneurial Center began in 2019 with a simple but powerful idea: use entrepreneurship to open doors for inner-city youth. Early programs focused on exposing young people to business ownership, financial literacy, leadership development, and career readiness through hands-on, engaging experiences.
What started as a vision to serve youth through innovative programming has grown into a comprehensive entrepreneurial development organization. Over the years, The ARK has expanded its programs, deepened its impact, and built a strong network of support for youth and families.
Through years of program development, relationship building, fundraising, and community engagement, The ARK has grown into an organization serving youth and families throughout the Chicago area. The ARK has built partnerships with businesses, foundations, financial institutions, schools, and community organizations to provide hands-on learning in entrepreneurship, workforce development, financial literacy, technology, leadership, and career exploration.
Today, The ARK Entrepreneurial Center continues to evolve to meet the needs of youth, families, and communities. The organization believes entrepreneurship is more than starting a business. It is about helping young people discover their talents, build skills, solve problems, lead with confidence, and create pathways toward economic mobility for themselves and their communities.
Partner With Us
The ARK Entrepreneurial Center believes that lasting change happens when communities work together. We partner with schools, businesses, financial institutions, foundations, community organizations, and donors to expand access to entrepreneurial education and workforce development for inner-city youth.
Partners support youth through sponsorships, workshops, mentorship, apprenticeships, financial support, volunteer opportunities, and community collaborations. Together, we create pathways to economic mobility and help young people build brighter futures.
Support the Mission
Your support helps provide youth with access to entrepreneurship education, workforce development, mentorship, technology, financial literacy, and real-world learning experiences. Every gift helps create opportunities for inner-city youth to learn, lead, and build brighter futures.