{"id":4770,"date":"2023-06-30T15:14:52","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T15:14:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loopchicagodev.wpenginepowered.com\/my-block-my-hood-my-city-to-host-downtown-day-for-chicago-youth\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T19:41:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T19:41:00","slug":"my-block-my-hood-my-city-to-host-downtown-day-for-chicago-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loopchicago.com\/es\/chicago-loop-blog\/my-block-my-hood-my-city-to-host-downtown-day-for-chicago-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"My Block, My Hood, My City to host Downtown Day for Chicago youth"},"content":{"rendered":"

2 MIN READ — On July 8, My Block, My Hood, My City (MBMHMC) will host a citywide event, aimed at bringing 1,000 youth, ages 13-22, to explore downtown Chicago. Thanks to the collaboration of many partners, dozens of youth organizations, local businesses, restaurants, and community-based organizations are supportive of making this day a success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe reason I started this organization was because for too many youth in Chicago, their entire worlds are limited to their own blocks and neighborhoods. They\u2019ve never been to one of our great museums, never been to the lakefront, never even been downtown. They\u2019ve been cut off from important life experiences and opportunities,\u201d said Jahmal Cole, CEO and Founder of My Block, My Hood, My City. \u201cThis event will show youth that they can access ALL of Chicago, and all of its opportunities. I thank the many partners who have signed on to support this Downtown Day and make it a great day for these young people.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day-long event will kick off at 10:30 a.m. at the Harris Theater<\/a> near Millennium Park<\/a> and end at 5:45 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, all in coordination with local law enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThis Downtown Day initiative helps show how the Loop is truly everyone\u2019s neighborhood, filled with iconic architecture, art, culture, shopping and history that make our world-class city unique,\u201d said Michael Edwards, President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. \u201cIt is vital that youth and adults from across Chicago \u2014 from Buena Park to Chatham and Austin \u2014 feel that downtown is theirs to call \u2018home.\u2019 Chicago Loop Alliance remains committed to authentically addressing the systemic disadvantages that make Chicagoans feel unwelcome and unseen, and our partnership with My Block, My Hood, My City continues to advance that mission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The Magnificent Mile\u00ae district is excited to host the My Block, My Hood, My City event on July 8,” said Kimberly Bares, President and CEO of The Magnificent Mile Association. “Several of our businesses will be participating in the day’s festivities, and we look forward to seeing Chicago’s youth enjoy The Mag Mile on this special day and every day thereafter.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

See an abbreviated 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