Chicago City Wire

Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) announced the recipients of the City of Chicago’s My CHI. My Future. (MCMF) Micro-Grant Program. SGA Youth & Family Services (SGA) will administer this inaugural program to community-based, youth-serving organizations focused on creating or enhancing opportunities for positive youth engagement on the South and West sides.

“From culinary programs to mentorship opportunities to green career development, these grants will go directly to serving our young people,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This program speaks to our commitment to investing in our young people this summer. We know that when we give young people productive opportunities, we are putting them on the path to success for themselves and their communities.”

In total, $600,000 will be distributed in micro-grants across the 15 MCMF Community Strategy Regions.

“The Micro-Grant program speaks to the importance of place-based strategies,” said DFSS Commissioner Brandie Knazze. “We are proud to stand with our partners across the city who are providing innovative programming that is as unique as the communities they are from, all while supporting our young people.”

Mayor Johnson announced the awardees at the Young Men’s Education Network (YMEN) headquarters in Lawndale.

“This micro-grant will allow us to hire 20 additional students for our summer urban gardening program,” said Mike Trout, founder and Executive Director of YMEN. “Not only will we be able to provide more fresh vegetables and produce to the Lawndale community, we will also be able to expand our efforts to teach the next generation about urban farming and agriculture.”

“This program is one of the ways that we build community by coming together and leveraging resources to support youth and families with engagement and education opportunities,” said Maria Velazquez, Executive Director of Telpochcalli Community Education Project, an awardee serving children and families in the Little Village community.

In December 2023, SGA was selected by DFSS through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process due to their long history of serving Chicago’s youth and families. SGA has been serving the Chicago community since 1911 and is primarily responsible for selecting and administering micro-grants to successful applicants. The purpose of this program is to strengthen community-based approaches to youth engagement by providing meaningful programming for youth and families.

“SGA is very excited to work with the City on the My CHI. My Future. Micro-Grant Program,” said Martha Guerrero, SGA CEO & President. "As an agency that has served Chicago’s youth for more than 100 years, we are proud to bring this new project to life to help smaller organizations increase positive youth development in their neighborhoods.”

The Community Areas Served by this program include Auburn Gresham, Austin, New City, Belmont Cragin, Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, Englewood, West Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, Pullman, Roseland Area, West Pullman, Humboldt Park South Lawndale North Lawndale South Shore.

The programs selected will serve youth ages six through 24 years old with a priority on recruiting at least 50% of participants from underrepresented populations.

Visit sga-youth.org/micro-grants/ for more information.

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