The Year Of The Youth on September 19, 2020

Chicagoans are invited to join Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, Joey Purp, and G Herbo in The Year Of The Youth Peace Walk & Give-Back Event on September 19, 2020

Chicago, IL – SocialWorks and SaveMoneySaveLife have teamed up for “The Year Of The Youth” to provide Chicago’s youth and their families with assistance and inspiration as the catalyst for a successful school year. As many critical community events have been canceled, including the Bud Billiken Parade, the aim is to aid as many families as possible who are in need. SocialWorks and SaveMoneySaveLife have come together to:

• Provide families and kids with back to school necessities, shoes, electronics, and nonperishable household goods.
• Provide free feminine care products, COVID testing, voter registration assistance, and a hot meal to Chicago families.
• Organize and lead a community march focusing on educational, community outreach, and youth organizational funding from the city.
• Make a statement on the power and capability of a unified community.

YEAR OF THE YOUTH PEACE WALK & GIVE-BACK EVENT – September 19, 2020 

On September 19, 2020, at 11am startingat Overton Elementary School (221 E 49th St, Chicago, IL 60615), Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, Joey Purp, and G Herbo will lead the culminating event, which will begin with a Peace Walk that focuses on education and solidarity. The route will run Overton Elementary School to King Drive to 47th to State to 51st to Indiana ending back at Overton. The walk will end with a Community Give-Back celebration that starts at 3pm, where all of the donated school supplies, PPE, groceries, feminine care products, and hot meals will be distributed. Additionally, participants have access to a shoe sign-up, that Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, Joey Purp, and G Herbo will deliver at a later date. HIV &  COVID testing and voter registration booths will also be on-site.

COVID-19 precautions will be in place, and participants must wear a mask, keep 6 feet apart, and move in accordance with safety protocols. The event has been designed with community safety in mind. 

BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE 

From August 3– September 13, 2020, SocialWorks and SaveMoneySaveLife will be collecting items for those in need. Donations are still being accepted at locations throughout the city. Click here for the full list.  

Requested supplies include the below (*due to COVID-19 safety precautions, all donations must be NEW or GENTLY USED). 

• Activity books K-6
• Flash cards
• Science Kits 
• Pens / Pencils / Highlighters / Crayons / Colored Pencils / Markers / Paints / 
• Backpacks 
• Folders / Notebooks 
• Coloring Books / Sketchbooks / Canvas 
• Calculators 
• Paint Brushes 
• Paper Towels 
• Lysol Wipes 
• Toiletries 
• PPE 
• Paper Bags 
• Diapers
• Wipes
• Non-Perishable Food Items 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED 

• Buy Supplies via Amazon Wishlist: Here
• Donate to Year of the Youth: Here
• To learn more, visit: Here
• Sign up to volunteer at the event: Here
• Purchase Year of the Youth merchandise, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the cause: Here. 
• Sweepstakes: The Year of the Youth team came together to create a sweepstake that 5 people around the globe can win. 4 winners will receive: Virtual meet and greet with Joey Purp and special guests; Joey Purp merch bundle; and a SocialWorks & SaveMoneySaveLife merch bundle. While one Grand prize winner will receive all of the above and a pair of limited-edition SocialWorks Air Jordan AJKOs (men’s size 9.5). Individuals can enter through donating or sharing event links to their followers. 
• Businesses and patrons looking to get involved can reach out to Essence Smith, SocialWorks Director of Operations and Communications, at essence@socialworkschi.com. 
• Drop-off School Supplies until September 13, 2020: 
  • SMSL Office – 517 47th St (M-W / 2-5pm)
  • Soho House – 113-125 N Green St (Weekly / 8am-10pm) 
  • Fat Tiger Workshop – 836 n Milwaukee Ave (Weekly / Noon – 7pm)
  • Advanced Spine & Sport Care – 624 W Belmont Ave (M-TH 8am-Noon / 3:30pm – 7pm)
  • Young American – 2545 N Kedzie Blvd (W-F / 11am – 5pm) 
  • Homeslice – 938 W Webster Ave (Weekly / 10:30am – 10:30pm)
  • Jet’s Pizza – 1811 North Ave (10am – 12am)

WHO’S INVOLVED 

• Joseph Davis – Better recognized as Joey Purp, is a musical artist from Chicago, IL. Most known for his musical career, Joey has also been involved in and next to many social activations for youth and many patrons of the city of Chicago. 
• SaveMoneySaveLife – Founded by Grammy-nominated musician and activist Vic Mensa, the foundation uses art and entertainment to foster sustainable change.
• SocialWorks– founded by Grammy-award-winning musician and humanitarian Chance the Rapper, SocialWorks aims to empower the youth through the arts, education, and civic engagement. 
• Herbert Wright – Better known by his stage name G Herbo, is a musical artist and songwriter from Chicago, IL.

About SocialWorks 

SocialWorks, founded by Grammy-award-winning musician and humanitarian Chance the Rapper, aims to empower the youth through the arts, education, and civic engagement. Since 2016, SocialWorks has created 5 initiatives that present youth the opportunity to learn and act on their passions. SocialWorks’ programming focuses on education, mental health, homelessness, and performing and literary arts – directly affecting thousands of youth yearly. 

Through the initiatives, OpenMike, Warmest Winter, Kids of the Kingdom, The New Chance: Arts & Literature Fund, and My State of Mind, SocialWorks hopes to inspire creativity, build dreams, and advocate for youth success in all its forms. For more information, visit: https://www.socialworkschi.org. 

About SaveMoneySaveLife 

SaveMoneySaveLife is to use art and entertainment to foster sustainable change. We aim to curate accessible events and knowledge that uplifts and contributes to pushing culture and creativity further.  At our core, SMSL is a creative cohort – engaging community with cross-cultural, interdisciplinary programs and resources. Our place-based and project-oriented work uses S.T.E.A.M. education to facilitate experiences that integrates contemporary cultural art, traditional knowledge, and community service. The overall purpose of SMSL is to highlight and empower BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color). Period. Through a traditional lens, we aim to help where needed, educate and build.  We recognize we are continually learning, and move with humility.  https://www.savemoneysavelife.org 

photo Credit: SocialWorks