About

My CHI. My Future. (MCMF) is a City of Chicago-led initiative that aims to ensure every young person in Chicago (through age 24) can connect to meaningful, out-of-school time opportunities, including events, programs, and jobs.

The initiative empowers community partners and youth to lead at a citywide and community level and encourages the consistent monitoring of the youth opportunity ecosystem to recognize strengths and identify gaps in what opportunities are available for youth.

My CHI. My Future. includes digital, citywide, and community components:

1) Digital: The My CHI. My Future. mobile app and website allow youth and caring adults to access opportunities in their area and throughout Chicago.

2) Citywide: MCMF organizes and market events all year, like Teen Bash and Chicago Fall Fest. MCMF convenes its network of community and City stakeholders to better support youth and coordinate opportunities.

3) Community: The MCMF Safe Spaces program has hired hundreds of youth who plan events for their peers and communities. MCMF Anchor Organizations convene community stakeholders to address challenges youth are facing and develop more opportunities for youth.

Mission and Vision

Every young person in Chicago connects to a variety of rich, engaging, safe, and youth-centered out-of-school experiences that empower them to discover and cultivate their talents, passions, skills, and identities; develop as physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy members of society; build relationships and networks with peers and mentors; and explore multiple pathways to college, careers, trades, entrepreneurship, and life-long learning.

Access and participation in Chicago’s diverse out-of-school opportunity ecosystem must be equitable (not equal) across race, gender identities, age, disability, immigration status, income, neighborhood, and other identities, resulting in all young people (as well as their families, mentors, and caring adults) leveraging community assets and the city’s resources to build positive futures for themselves and their communities.