Cicero District 99 has officially wrapped another unforgettable season of Unify Fridays and what a season it was.

For 16 amazing Friday nights, Unity Junior High was transformed into a place where families came together to laugh, move, connect, and create memories. Unify Fridays has become a tradition our community looks forward to every single week.

From our massive open gym filled with pickup basketball, volleyball, and soccer games... to the high-energy Zumba classes that quickly became a favorite among our parents... to a live DJ keeping the energy high all night long — there was truly something for everyone.

Families enjoyed arts and crafts, board games, bounce houses, and one of the best (and most affordable) concession stands around — packed with everyone's favorite snacks.

Unify Fridays also places a strong focus on mental health and wellness. Each week, guest speakers and community vendors joined us to provide valuable insight, conversations, and resources centered around mental health support for students and families. From wellness education to access to local services, these partnerships helped ensure our families left with meaningful support and connection.

But what makes Unify Fridays truly special goes far beyond the fun. It's a safe, positive, and welcoming space for our entire community.

It's a place where our middle school students in grades 6-8 can attend independently, giving our young teens a safe environment to spend their Friday nights — away from places they shouldn't be, away from isolation, and away from screens. Instead, they're surrounded by friends, mentors, activity, and community.

That kind of impact doesn't happen by accident. It takes a village.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Town of Cicero President Larry Dominick and the Board of Trustees for their continued support to our youth. President Dominick has always been a true champion for keeping our students safe and engaged, and because of that support, Unify Fridays remains completely FREE for District 99 families.

We also thank the Illinois State Board of Education and its After School Programs Grant for helping make this possible.

A special thank you as well to our newest community partner, Higher Ground Refuge, for providing additional security and adult presence to help ensure every family feels safe and supported the moment they walk through our doors.

Unify Fridays is about more than entertainment. It's about strengthening families. It's about supporting our youth. It's about building community. And we want it to keep growing.

Our goal is simple: we want every District 99 family to say they've experienced a Unify Friday. We want every middle schooler and teenager to know this is THEIR space. We want the gym packed, the music loud, and the community stronger than ever next year.

So now we're asking YOU. If you've been to a Unify Friday, if you want to see Unify Friday return next year, if you believe our kids deserve more safe spaces like this...

❤️ Drop a heart below. Share this post. Help us spread the word.

Let's show everyone just how much Unify Fridays means to Cicero. Because when families show up, communities grow. And when communities grow, everyone wins.

See you next season.