welcome to Chicago

2023 Annual Report

Jahmal Cole

Founder & CEO

Annual Report Fy23

Jahmal Cole,

Founder & CEO

Watch our 2023 year in review

why we do it.

Our mission is to inspire youth, empower communities, and build a better world, one block at a time. We know that real change happens at the block level. Our goal is to create an equitable future for Chicago through exploration and rapid mobilization. My Block My Hood My City  targets unjust systemic barriers and invests in quality youth programming and community development initiatives to ensure access to holistic care, no matter your zip code.

Out-of-State Trips

Students traveled to

Traverse City,

Michigan

Students traveled to

Crystal Mt.,

Michigan

Explorers
THE EXPLORERS PROGRAM PROVIDES YOUTH FROM UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS WITH AN AWARENESS OF THE WORLD AND OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THEIR COMMUNITY.

Students traveled to

Long Beach, California


Students traveled to

Boulder, CO

Schools / Urban Prep starting in January

Explorations / Touchpoints

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Summer Event: Downtown Day

Explores

My Block, My Hood, My City provides youth from under-resourced neighborhoods with an awareness of the world and opportunities beyond their community. We believe Exposure is Key to youth success and that Exploration is transformative. We take isolated youth on educational field trips (“Explorations”) intended to inspire and awaken new passions, goals and career paths for the next generation of leaders.  Explorations focus on 5 key areas: 1)Vocation & Education 2) Arts & Expression 3) Culinary Experiences 4) Recreation and 5) Community Engagement. 

Since its inception, the Explorers Program has taken over a thousand young Chicagoans to hundreds of different exploration sites, both within the city and beyond! Check out the video to see an Exploration in action!



Youth Led TOURS

My Block My Hood My City was proud to bring back its very popular Youth Led Community Walks program for a 5th summer in a row! Our program hires youth from the community to tell the rich and powerful Civil Rights history of the great community of North Lawndale! Guests join us on a walk through history and experience hidden modern gems alongside youth guides who call North Lawndale home. All ticket proceeds go back towards youth employment and support.


We hope you join us next summer: Check out highlights of past tour programming above!


I Gotchu Scholarship Fund

My Block My Hood My City has launched a wrap-around scholarship opportunity for alumni of the Explorer's Program! The I Gotchu Scholarship Fund provides wrap-around support to High-School Seniors in their pursuit of post-secondary initiatives. In addition to college and university tuition, the I Gotchu Scholarship Fund can be used for a variety of costs associated with post-secondary education. This includes short-term credentials, certificates, trade school costs, uniforms, supplies, materials and general supportive services. Most importantly, this scholarship opportunity supports each awardee with an entire 4 years of financial, mentorship, and guidance support! 


Please help to support this initiative today!


Youth Led TOURS

The Youth Led Tours program empowers and employs youth as tour guides of their own community.

Tours available to the Public

Tours for Private Partners

Block Clean Ups

I Gotchu Scholarship

Support Explorers Program Alumni with up to 4 years of Post-Secondary scholarship and mentorship support.
$

$3k  Annual Scholarships

Given to 20 youth

Youth Served

Youth & Mentor

Meeting Sessions

One block at a time

Engage volunteers and serve block clubs with community clean up events



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Blocks Cleaned

Volunteers

50 gallon garbage bags used

Vacant Lots Cleaned

Alleys Cleaned

Homes Impacted

Block club 

Engage volunteers and serve block clubs with community clean-up events.
$

block club grants

Block Clubs Receiving Grant

BLOCK CLUB SIGNS

Senior Services

“M3 is like red cross of the hood!” - Jahmal Cole
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food deliveries to Seniors

Aldi care packages

Food deliveries

 per month

Engage volunteers and serve block clubs with community clean-up events

Be A Part of the Light

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homes decorated

Corporate Event

 ATTENDEES

Street poles decorated

Engage volunteers and serve block clubs with community clean-up events

Block Club Program

We support community leaders in their effort to keep their neighborhood connected, clean, and safe. We provide organizing training, access to a network of 100+ community leaders, and community infrastructure like garbage bins, benches and block club signs. 


One Block At A Time 

What's something simple you can do? With the help of our volunteer network we're able to serve block clubs with community clean ups. In only a few hours we make an immediate impact. 


Be A Part Of The Light

Every year we're working to make King Dr. as magnificent as the mag mile. With the help of our volunteers we're able to light up 12 miles of King Dr., decorating homes, schools, parks, and street poles. 


Senior Services 

What better way to give back than to those who came before us. We support seniors with snow removal, PPE, and food delivery. We're always developing new ways to serve.


Special Events

We're creating days of service out of many meaningful holidays, including MLK Day, Earth Day and Juneteenth. Look out for opportunities to volunteer and attend community events on these special days.


Powering the community through  grant distribution.

Our deepest thanks to every person who has donated. Whether it was $1 or $200,000, we couldn’t take care of people no matter what, without your help.  Your gift gives us the power to not only hone and strengthen the work that we’re already doing in Chicago, but to continue our growth and sustainability as an organization so that we can continue to tackle the challenges and needs in our communities.


our supporters

We couldn't do this work without you!

One block at a time.

Our Board

Tonya Hooks

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