Posted 10 months ago
Press contact: Ariella Gibson | Marketing and Communications Manager, Chicago Loop Alliance ariella@chicagoloopalliance.com | 708-543-4002
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | July 10, 2023
CHICAGO— Today, Chicago Loop Alliance announces an additional expansion of the Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassador Program, which will partner youth ambassadors with Chicago Loop Alliance ambassadors throughout the Loop including on State Street, beginning July 10 through August 12. The Ambassador program is contracted by Chicago Loop Alliance through Streetplus, a national business improvement district service, and will patrol the corridor during afternoons and evenings. Current Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassadors will serve as mentors to the youth ambassadors shadowing in the initiative. Program details are available for the public here.
“As more initiatives continue to emulate our successful ambassador program, we gratefully welcome the opportunity to mentor Chicago youth in nonviolent and community focused work, aimed at creating a healthy, safe and welcoming downtown for all,” said Michael Edwards, President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “During a season that often leaves youth and young adults seeking short-term opportunities, we hope that the summer ambassador program will engage Chicago youth as stewards of our great city and all that it has to offer.”
The ambassador program is made possible through One Chicago Summer, an effort that brings together government institutions, community-based organizations, and companies to offer employment and internship opportunities to youth and young adults ages 14-24. Ambassadors will be primarily from South and West side community areas.
“Developing critical skills in our youth through employment is vital to the success of our city,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I’m grateful to our partners at the Chicago Loop Alliance and across the Corridor Ambassador program for collaborating with our One Summer Chicago initiative to expand opportunities for young people. Their collective hiring of more than 40 youth is another great example of what we can do together.”
Chicago Loop Alliance Youth Ambassadors will wear yellow and black t-shirts while shadowing current ambassadors as they provide directions; greet and engage visitors, workers, and residents; conduct business check-ins; prevent and report negative behavior; provide information on wayfinding for those shopping, dining, and exploring; maintain the Loop through cleanliness efforts; and assist individuals in need of social services or experiencing homelessness.
The Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassador program primarily services State Street Special Service Area #1-2015 (SSA #1-2015), which includes State Street from Ida B. Wells to Wacker Drive and select portions of Wabash Avenue and Dearborn Avenue. Through the city’s Corridor Ambassador program, the Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassador footprint has temporarily expanded for a second summer to include the central Loop from Dearborn to Canal to the west, and parts of Michigan Avenue and Wabash Avenue to the east.
About Chicago Loop Alliance
Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA)’s mission is to create, manage and promote positive and inclusive programs that attract people to the Loop and accelerate economic recovery. CLA is a membership organization as well as the sole service provider for Special Service Area#1-2015, and the Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation produces public art projects and events. For more information, visit LoopChicago.com.
About Streetplus
Streetplus has been providing cleaning, safety, and hospitality services to improvement districts throughout the United States since 1991 and currently provides its signature clean, safe, and friendly services to over 90 different districts. Streetplus has been proudly supporting the Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA), Special Services Area #1 since 2013. Streetplus’ professionally trained Street Teams of Cleaning and Safety Ambassadors are an integral part of the fabric of daily life, helping to foster the growth of a vibrant urban experience that is at the heart of the CLA’s mission. The Streetplus Street Teams focus on public safety issues like hospitality, panhandling and homelessness, liaise with the Chicago Police Department to address nuisance crimes and augment the City Department of Streets & Sanitation to help keep the streets clean, healthy, and safe.
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