My Block, My Hood, My City event bringing nearly 1,500 youths to Downtown on Saturday
Nearly 1,500 youth will visit Downtown on Saturday, as part of a third annual event that seeks to prevent violence.
"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 feel included,” Jahmal Cole, CEO of nonprofit My Block, My Hood, My City, said in a news release.
“We believe that exposure is violence prevention, and we need to invest in prevention. Downtown belongs to everyone.”
My Block, My Hood, My City is coordinating the event with about two dozen youth organizations from across the city to chaperone participants.
More than 30 businesses and organizations such as Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Apple, Starbucks and chocolatier Kilwins will offer free or discounted attractions, workshops and tours to participants.
In Chicago, large groups of teens downtown is a controversial topic. City Council last month passed an ordinance that would have allowed snap curfews aimed at preventing so-called “teen takeovers,” or large gatherings of teens that have sometimes turned violent. Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed the ordinance.
Violence in Chicago tends to spike in the summer.
Downtown Day begins with a reception at 10 a.m. at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Youth primarily from the South and West sides will visit participating organizations from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
They will be chaperoned in small groups by youth and church group leaders, volunteers and My Block, My Hood, My City staff.
“Many teens growing up on Chicago's South and West sides have never been downtown,” according to Downtown Day’s website. “They can see the Sears Tower from their neighborhood but have never ridden its elevators to the top. … Even more troubling, many teens can’t afford and don’t feel welcome in the city’s business and entertainment districts.”
“Our partnership is a direct outcome of authentically fostering community. We acknowledge the need to be solution-oriented when called upon to address systemic disparities,” said Michael Edwards, CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance, an event partner that connects its member organizations with My Block, My Hood, My City.