Chicago's youth are celebrating the culmination of their summer efforts in creating secure local environments with the My Chi. My Future. (MCMF) End of Summer Celebration. The event, held at the Chicago Cultural Center, acknowledges the integral part that young people play in fostering community safety. Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services welcomed some 250 to 300 guests, including students between the ages of 16 to 24, as well as staff representatives from partner organizations. According to the City of Chicago's official press release, the celebration represents a significant nod to the positive changes in the city's public safety atmosphere.
During the event, hosted on Aug. 13, witnessing the fruits of their summer-long labor, youth in the Safe Spaces program showcased their poster presentations and partook in an awards ceremony. "I am thrilled to celebrate our young people and the progress they have made to build safer, thriving communities this summer," Mayor Johnson stated. He linked the historic decreases in crime and violence across Chicago to the city's investment and empowerment of its young residents. Operating under the My CHI. My Future. initiative, the Safe Spaces for Youth program had employed 224 young individuals, overseeing more than 120 youth-centric events throughout the year.
The platform at the End of Summer Celebration not only celebrated achievements but also highlighted the program's capacity to transform Chicago's youth into community leaders. "The Safe Spaces program provides unique infrastructure that enables Chicago’s youth to take on leadership roles in addressing public safety," quoted Angela Green, DFSS Commissioner, in affirming the significance of the initiative. With contributions like free pizzas from Home Run Inn, the gathering grew into more than just a commemorative event, but a collective demonstration of the city's support for its younger demographic.
One of the program's young pioneers, Nyilah Walton from Think Outside Da Block in Chicago Lawn, shared, "Being part of this work shows me that my voice matters." Through various events such as neighborhood marches, open mics, and wellness fairs, these young contributors have actively enriched their communities. The programs, "let us know there are people that think of us as teens who want to enjoy themselves, rather than teens that are lost to the streets," said Robert Rodgers, a participant, working with the YMCA in Humboldt Park, according to the city's press release.
Several community-focused agencies are involved in the Safe Spaces for Youth program, including After School Matters, Metropolitan Family Services, and Young Men's Christian Association, reflecting a broad coalition supporting the youth-driven safety initiative. Funded in part through the American Rescue Plan, the program addresses the pandemic's lasting effects on both the city's youth and the neighborhoods they inhabit. For more information on the program and celebration, inquiries can be directed to the DFSS Director of Public Affairs, Linsey Maughan.
