First session Friday, July 17

Come build with AI, 3D printers,
and blockchain.

A free six-week tech space for South Shore youth — hands on the tools, not just talk about them. We're standing this up with Alderman Yancy, Lost Boyz, and Lawrence Hall, with support from the Solana Foundation and Oddities R Us.

6 Fridays · Jul 17 – Aug 21
12:00 – 2:00 PM
1802 E 71st St
Free · Drop in
Register — it's free Support the space
Parents are welcome too — pull up a chair and watch it happen.

What you'll get into

AI Prompting, building small tools, and seeing what these models actually do — and don't.
3D Printing Design something, watch it come off the printer, take it home.
Blockchain Wallets, tokens, and what a public ledger is good for — plain language.
Plus mentors who actually want to help.
6free Fridays
$0to walk in
0experience needed
3tools to try
The schedule

Six Fridays, 12–2pm

Drop in for one or come for all six. No experience needed, nothing to bring but yourself.

Week 1
Fri, Jul 17
Week 2
Fri, Jul 24
Week 3
Fri, Jul 31
Week 4
Fri, Aug 7
Week 5
Fri, Aug 14
Week 6
Fri, Aug 21

Things we might get into

No fixed syllabus. We've got the printers and the computers, and we'll follow whatever people actually want to dig into. Some of what's on the table:

  • Meeting the gear and printing your first thing
  • What AI actually is — how to talk to it, what it's bad at
  • 3D printing start to finish — design it, slice it, run it
  • Wallets, ledgers, and why anyone cares about blockchain
  • Building small tools that do something real
  • Showing each other what you made

Come to one, come to all six. Miss a week and you haven't fallen behind — there's nothing to fall behind on.

Registration

Save your spot

Youth, families, volunteers, and partner organizations — all through the same form. Takes about a minute.

Ballpark is fine — this just helps us plan stations and staffing.
Heads up: we sometimes photograph sessions to share what's happening with funders and the neighborhood. Rather not be in a photo? Note it above, or just tell us at the door.
Free · No experience needed · Questions? Email us

You're in.

Thanks for registering — we've got you. Nothing else you need to do right now.

What happens next

  • We'll email you details before the first session.
  • Fridays, 12–2pm starting July 17.
  • 1802 E 71st St, hosted by Lost Boyz. Lot and street parking. Just walk in.
  • Bring nothing. Everything's provided, and it's free.
Add all 6 to calendar
Where

Hosted by Lost Boyz Inc.

1802 E 71st St
Chicago, IL 60649

We're putting the 3D printers and computers from the OnionDAO activation to work in Lost Boyz's space. Steps from the 71st St bus.

Parking lot and street parking both available.
Open in Google Maps →
1802 E 71st St, Chicago
Directions
Good to know

Questions parents ask

The stuff worth knowing before Friday. Anything else, just email us — a real person answers.

Is it really free?
Yes — completely. No fees, no materials to buy, nothing to sign up and pay for later. Every last thing — computers, 3D filament, all of it — is covered.
Who is it for?
South Shore young people — come curious and that's enough. No prior tech experience needed, and it's fine to show up alone or roll in with friends.
Do parents stay, or is it drop-off?
Either works. You're welcome to stay and see the space, or drop off and come back at 2pm. Sessions are run by our team and partner mentors from Lost Boyz and Lawrence Hall.
What should they bring?
Just themselves. Computers, 3D printers, and all the materials are provided. If they've got a laptop they like, they can bring it — but they don't need one.
What do you do with our information?
We use it only to plan sessions and email you details. We don't sell it or share it with anyone outside the program. That's it.
Will photos be taken?
Sometimes — we might snap a few photos of the space and what people make, to share the story with funders and the neighborhood. If you'd rather not be in them, just tell us at the door and we'll keep you out of frame. No explaining needed.
Do they have to come every week?
No. Drop in for one Friday or come for all six. There's no set curriculum to fall behind on — each week stands on its own. Save a spot here.
Who's behind this

Partners & supporters

Bootstrapped, but not alone. This is a coalition of people who think South Shore youth should have the tools in their hands.

Lost Boyz Inc.
Lawrence Hall
Alderman Desmon Yancy, 5th Ward
Solana Foundation
Oddities R Us

We're bootstrapping, and the hope is this grows into a permanent drop-in space for youth to tinker with tech. If your organization wants in — equipment, mentors, funding, or just a good idea — tell us in the form.

Register — it's free