In a recent move to bolster support for Chicago's young residents, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Chicago's Department of Family and Support Services have showcased plans to deeply engage with youth across 15 city regions. During the My CHI. My Future. (MCMF) citywide partners meeting at Harold Washington Library Center's Winter Garden, community leaders, and youth advocates came together to discuss strategies to bridge opportunity gaps for kids and teens, especially in areas hit hardest by the pandemic.
"My CHI. My Future. is more than just a program—it's a promise to our city's young people," Mayor Johnson stated in a commitment to fully always engage and support the city's youth. This initiative is part of a larger investment of $14.2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, as highlighted in a statement obtained by the City of Chicago's press release. Such funding has spurred the rise of 15 delegate agencies, named Community Anchor Organizations, to pioneer collaborative efforts designed to connect young Chicagoans to invaluable out-of-school time programming.
Organizations from neighborhoods including Auburn Gresham, Austin, and Humboldt Park, among others, presented community-specific plans crafted from gathered data and local needs assessments. These plans aim to confront systemic barriers preventing youth access to education, mentorship, and healthy recreational activities. Brandie Knazze, Commissioner of the Department of Family and Support Services, praised the nearly two-year collaborative effort, saying, "DFSS is proud to support the Community Anchor Organizations in fulfilling the MCMF mission of connecting every young person in Chicago to a variety of rich, engaging, safe and youth-centered out-of-school time experiences," as per the same press release.
In-the-field organizations also shared stories of collaboration and progress. Beyond the Ball's Project Manager, Jackie Covarrubias is quoted discussing the initiative's impact in Little Village, stating, "The MCMF Anchor Organizations initiative gave us the opportunity to bring together the many great organizations who serve young people in Little Village." She emphasized the generated network's role in uplifting the quality of programs for local youth. Meanwhile, in the Greater Roseland area, stakeholders and youth directly shaped the community plan, with MCMF Liaison Pauline Sylvain-Lewis of Phalanx Family Services recounting to the City of Chicago's press release, saying, "Working with youth and community stakeholders to develop the Greater Roseland My CHI. My Future. plan has been a powerful experience."
