{"id":4631,"date":"2025-07-14T18:11:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T18:11:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loopchicagodev.wpenginepowered.com\/downtown-day-initiative-aims-to-welcome-chicagos-youth\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T02:18:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T02:18:25","slug":"downtown-day-initiative-aims-to-welcome-chicagos-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loopchicago.com\/es\/chicago-loop-blog\/downtown-day-initiative-aims-to-welcome-chicagos-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"Downtown Day initiative aims to welcome Chicago’s youth"},"content":{"rendered":"

3 MIN READ — On July 19, My Block, My Hood, My City (MBMHMC) will host Downtown Day<\/a>, a citywide event, aimed at bringing nearly 1,500 youth to downtown Chicago in an effort to expose Chicago teens to the dynamic opportunities of the Loop and downtown area. Over 30 downtown businesses will offer free or discounted attractions; intimate workshops; tours and culinary experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“What we are doing right now is part of the solution. Downtown Chicago is one of the most inspirational places in the world and our own young people don’t\u00a0feel included,\u201d said Jahmal Cole, Founder and CEO of My Block, My Hood, My City. \u201cWe believe that exposure is violence prevention, and we need to invest in prevention. Downtown belongs to everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day begins with a welcome reception for participating youth at 10 a.m. at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Youth are free to explore and interact with participating businesses from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants will be chaperoned in small groups by representatives from youth organizations from across the city along with a collection of volunteers and MBMHMC staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe view our participation with My Block, My Hood, My City\u2019s Downtown Day program as an opportunity to enable the youth of Chicago to embrace the Loop as their own,\u201d said Michael Edwards, President & CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. \u201cOur partnership is a direct outcome of authentically fostering community. We acknowledge the need to be solution-oriented when called upon to address systemic disparities, which is why it continues to be our pleasure to play the role of connector between M3 and our member businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDowntown Day reflects what\u2019s possible when we come together with a shared commitment to our city\u2019s future,\u201d said Kimberly Bares, President & CEO of The Magnificent Mile\u00ae Association. The Magnificent Mile is more than a destination;\u00a0it\u2019s a gateway to opportunity, connection, and pride. We\u2019re honored to partner with My Block, My Hood, My City and Chicago Loop Alliance to ensure that young people across Chicago feel welcome and inspired here.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All youth attendees will be wearing My Block, My Hood, My City branded shirts and will receive a $50 gift card for retail, restaurant, or cultural activities.\u00a0Due to the partnership with local institutions, dozens of different free or discounted activities are accessible to participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See a full list of partners below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organizations:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n