In light of yesterday’s horrific and heartbreaking events, I wanted to reserve today’s blog post to introduce something actionable. ♥️
My Block My Hood My City (M3) is an amazing Chicago-based nonprofit organization that provides people with opportunities to step outside their comfort zones and “explore new communities, cultures and cuisines in an effort to gain a greater understanding of the world.” It offers mentoring for underprivileged youth; youth-senior wellness calls for those isolated by the pandemic; and aid for senior citizens in need of things like hand sanitizer, food and toiletries. You might remember me talking about M3 over the holidays, too, as they worked to decorate 12 miles and over 500 homes along the historic Martin Luther King Jr. Drive this year! Pretty incredible!
The My Block My Hood My City website is fantastic, and I really urge you to explore it! These days, especially during COVID, searching for ways to take action can be overwhelming. But M3 makes it very easy. Here are a few ways that you can do something right now—even if you don’t live in Chicago!
Help with the Senior Viral Response
With the global spread of Coronavirus, My Block My Hood My City is helping to ensure that seniors have access to hand sanitizer, health supplements, toiletries, and food. To help, you can donate money or goods, sign up to deliver care packages, and/or sign up to make wellness check-in phone calls.
Purchase a M3 Chicago Neighborhood Silk Tie
M3’s newest project! (I got Mitch the blue with red stars for Valentine’s Day!)
By purchasing one of M3’s ties, you’re representing M3, representing your neighborhood, and becoming a part of their ever-growing #NeighborhoodTies network. When M3 first started selling ties, it was a way to give high school seniors ties for events as they went off to college… and now it’s expanded to tons of different neighborhoods across the city and to executives at high-level corporations!
“Whether you’re in a board meeting or in a classroom teaching students, you can help spread the mission of M3 and show the world your connection with the neighborhoods of Chicago. Here at M3, we’re all about connecting neighborhoods and being involved with communities, no matter what level that’s on. We believe in a city of interconnectedness and focus on bringing people together at the ground level.”
Help the M3 Explorers Program
Every month, MBMHMC takes a group of interested teenagers on a city-wide exploration, visiting hidden gem businesses and artful intersections, uncovering neighborhoods and challenging preconceived notions. By taking local youth outside their comfort zones—but right next door in their own city—they can see what Chicago has to offer, and experience a different perspective that will awaken ownership and pride in them.
“So close, but yet so far away” is a phrase that applies to the situations of many disadvantaged youth who are in close proximity to downtown Chicago but who live in isolated and far different environments. The Explorers Program offers new and exciting perspectives of their city, and helps them perceive a world beyond their boundaries while also viewing their own smaller communities in a positive light. It also inspires them to get involved. By revealing to them that they are a part of something bigger, they’re more likely to want to become involved and part of the dream!
Want to help? You can donate, sign up volunteer or get in touch about hosting an exploration day.
Sign up to find out about other volunteer opportunities
M3 always has something up its sleeve and has several projects going on at all times. Get in touch and keep in touch!
