Legendary Lands’ End Founder Brings Hope to the ‘Hood
Welcome to the Gary Comer Youth Center

What images come to mind when you hear the address: “72nd & Ingleside on the South Side of Chicago.” I would imagine you wouldn’t expect that one of the America’s visionary business leaders and founder of the legendary company, Lands’ End, Gary C. Comer grew up just blocks from there. Comer graduated from the Paul Revere Elementary School, just one block away, over sixty-five years ago. I also imagine that you would not expect to find a state of the start cultural learning center built and designed solely for some of Chicago’s most underprivileged youth. Well, believe it. Both items are true, and, that’s only the beginning.

Before Gary Comer lost his battle with cancer in 2006, he worked closely with architect John Ronan and the Founder and Director of Chicago’s legendary South Shore Drill Team, Arthur Robertson, to build a positive, safe, and empowering world class facility to propel the students of this Chicago neighborhood to new, high, and incredible heights. Their creation, The Gary Comer Youth Center (GCYC), Home of the South Shore Dream Team, is an amazing example of what is possible when concerned citizens, talent, and resources work together to uplift a community.

The GCYC is a remarkable gift of love, hope, and opportunity to students and neighborhood residents of the Paul Revere Elementary School and the members of the South Shore Drill team. The building itself is a much as a work of art as it is a transforming location for students. The colors, structure, architecture, and design, created by award winning Architect, John Ronan, are stunning, both inside and out. Upon arrival to the campus, you know that you are in a special place even before you step foot onsite. The facility is simply incredible.

A world class, state-of-the-art youth center, that contains over 80, 000 square feet, a hardwood basketball court that, at the touch of a button, converts into a 600+ cushion seat auditorium with a performance stage. The center also features a cafeteria, workout room, locker rooms, computer lab, library, television / recording studio, arts room, dance studio, classrooms, and a rooftop garden. After school and during the summers, students participate in educational programs, arts and crafts, television, music, and computer training, dance, step, and so much more. The GCYC also provides educational training, formal comprehensive nurse coursework and instruction, and more.

The Paul Revere Alumni Association (PRAA) is based at the GCYC and they work closely with the center and the Paul Revere Elementary to help position its students and parents for academic success. Tosha Downey, Director of PRAA, and Jeremiah Harris, Assistant Director, of the PRAA, have developed personal, deep, and genuine relationships with its students and parents. They lead, design, and manage programs to help students select, apply, and enroll in high schools. They provide high school and college scholarships for Paul Revere alums. They give kids the guidance, training, love, and the support that many are desperately missing and needing.


Gary Comer was known for his passion, commitment, and unconventional approach to business, leadership, and philanthropy. He never forgot his old neighborhood or the members of that community. He never looked down on those less fortunate than he became. He always sought to be the solution to challenging problems. Based on his loving and generous example, Gary C. Comer has helped ensure that, if you are an alum of Paul Revere Elementary, you will have an opportunity to be safe, learn as much as you possible can, and enjoy the best facilities money can buy to provide you with the opportunity to find your greatness within.

The Great Student Network was founded based on a fundamental belief that “Every student deserves a chance to be great.” The Gary Comer Youth Center is a living example of what is possible when concerned citizens, business leaders, educators, and philanthropists work together to rebuild their community one student at a time.

The Great Student Network salutes Gary C. Comer, Arthur Robertson, and all of the amazing leaders, staff, and devotees that made and make the GCYC come to life.

To learn more about the Gary Comer Youth Center please visit their website: www.gcychome.org

To see Lands’ End tribute to its legendary founder, Gary Comer, please their website: www.landsend.com

To learn more about the Paul Revere Elementary School, please visit their website: www.paulrevereschool.org