My Block, My Hood, My City

Established in 2015, the mission of My Block, My Hood, My City is to break down the social and emotional barriers of segregation, empower people to meet and serve their neighbors, and inspire Chicagoans to pursue their dreams. In addition to exposing youth to new careers, cuisines, and experiences through its City Explorers program, My Block, My Hood, My City programs also engage adults. My Block, My Hood, My City connects adults to neighborhoods throughout Chicago, where they meet with residents and complete community service projects. This award to My Block, My Hood, My City supports its One Block at a Time initiative which mobilizes civic and corporate volunteers in the Chicago metropolitan area and deploys them throughout south and west side neighborhoods to work alongside residents on neighborhood improvement projects.

My Block My Hood My City (M3) focuses on ensuring that all students graduate from high school and are equipped for college and career success. M3’s program takes teenagers from low-income neighborhoods on educational explorations that provide them with a firsthand look into different cultures, careers, people, and businesses. Its mission is to boost educational attainment, break down barriers to segregation, and counteract poverty and isolation through structured discovery explorations. By exposing youth to communities beyond their own, M3 believes that youth will be inspired to become active, engaged, and self-determined citizens. M3 intends to use award funds to expand its programs and services to Haprer High School and Paul Robeson High School.