Museum of Illusions and Loop Dreams, 25 E. Washington’s community initiative, have joined forces with My Block, My Hood, My City (M3) to welcome as many as 1,300 Chicago youth and their families to the Loop on July 11 as part of M3’s Fourth Annual Downtown Day.
The Downtown Day event connects young people from Chicago’s South and West sides with the city’s cultural, educational and recreational opportunities. It highlights the positive role businesses play in creating an inclusive, welcoming downtown experience. Because of M3’s Downtown Day, many of these young people experience their first trip to the Loop.
“Downtown Day also reflects the commitment of participating businesses and organizations like Museum of Illusions and Loop Dreams to create positive experiences for young people,” said Jahmal Cole, the Founder and CEO of M3. “This event draws tremendous support from all over Chicago and demonstrates how collaboration among businesses, nonprofits and families can help strengthen connections between Chicago’s neighborhoods and downtown.”
Downtown Day participants receive a $50 prepaid debit card that can be used in four categories: vocation and education, arts and expression, culinary experiences, and recreation and fun. Organizers expect up to 1,300 youth and family members to participate.
For 25 E. Washington, Museum of Illusions and Loop Dreams, Downtown Day offers a contrast to events that occurred in April 2023 and drew national attention. Instead of the highly publicized youth gatherings that closed Washington St. between State St. and Wabash Ave., it will show a different outcome on the same street.
According to Dan Shannon, Managing Partner, Aspire Properties, the support for Downtown Day is a natural extension of 25 E. Washington’s commitment to build community and strengthen connections among the office building’s tenants and between downtown businesses and communities throughout Chicago.
Through Loop Dreams, 25 E. Washington’s charitable initiative brought the building owners, tenants and contractors/service providers together to support programs that expand opportunities for students in underserved neighborhoods, including a fundraising campaign that helped replace a passenger van for student-athletes and transportation to other after-school programs.
“Being part of M3’s Downtown Day demonstrates the power of community at every level,” Shannon said. “What began as an effort to create a stronger sense of purpose within our building has grown into opportunities that connect young people across Chicago with experiences that can broaden their horizons and shape their futures.”
Founded by Jahmal Cole in 2015, My Block, My Hood, My City works to expose young people to opportunities beyond their immediate neighborhoods through educational, cultural and community-building experiences. Since 2023, Downtown Day has given teens and their families a chance to explore Chicago’s business, cultural and tourism districts.
Lydia Lopez from Museum of Illusions said, “Museum of Illusions Chicago is proud to open our doors to the young people and families that My Block, My Hood, My City serves. Chicago is our home, and Downtown Day is a perfect reminder of why we do what we do; creating experiences that spark curiosity and bring people together. We’re excited to welcome them.”
Additional supporters of Downtown Day include the Chicago Loop Alliance and the Magnificent Mile Association, whose participation helps expand opportunities for youth and families to experience downtown Chicago in a welcoming environment.
