Pathways into and experiences of homelessness vary by race, historically and today, due to structural racism. This refers to the macro-level systems, institutions, and ideas that produce and reinforce in our society advantages for white people, and disadvantages for people of color.

Learn more about Chicago homelessness statistics here.

To effectively and equitably address homelessness, we must move beyond color-blind approaches to research and policy. Learn more on racial equity in policy for the unhoused from the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness.

My Block, My Hood, My City is a Chicago-based youth and community development nonprofit that inspires youth, empowers communities, and builds a better world one block at a time.

M3 is known for its community-based programs like:

“At My Block, My Hood, My City, we believe in taking care of people no matter what. We believe in a Chicago where people don’t just survive, they thrive. We believe in a Chicago where ALL youth and residents feel supported and heard.”                                                                         -Bintu Njie

Towards the end of January, we saw near-record cold temperatures, with windchills reaching -35 degrees Fahrenheit on the 23rd. Due to these conditions, Chi-Care board members Basheer Hassan and Meraj Alam took it upon themselves to lead additional routes in order to get potential life-saving supplies to those desperately in need. While our clients were of course thankful in the moment, we would like to publicly thank them here as well!

The warm weather supplies like coats, hats, gloves, hand warmers, and heaters, along with our usual supply of warm meals, socks, snacks, and hygiene kits that we provide on routes like these are only possible because of donations and support from people like you. If you would like to help us get these winter essentials out into the community, please consider donating.