About Us

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The Out West Block Party is a yearly community initiative hosted by For The Kids Media & Arts in partnership with DEE JEFF MEDIA. It was created as a way to combat the City’s ongoing gun violence, and sets out to create a safe neighborhood environment for the youth to be able to play and enjoy without fear. OWBP also aims to motivate neighbors to get outside and get to know one another. There is no community without ‘unity!’  

Since 2019, OWBP has been able to partner with local businesses and nonprofits throughout the City, the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Department of Health to provide much needed resources to the community. In 2021, we were recognized by NBC 5 Chicago's local newscast for their Making A Difference segment for our work providing free meals to over 100 people, and passing out more than 50 back to school book bags to young people! We also were able to get 25+ vaccinated against COVID-19, the most at any single community led event in Chicago. Last year, for #OutWest3 we were able to nearly double our efforts and hand out over 75 back to school book bags and feed close to 200 people.

In 2023, #OutWest4ever continued providing youth and their families with a safe space to enjoy their neighborhood with activities like basketball, double dutch, arts & crafts, karaoke, bouncy houses, free food, giveaways, raffles and so much more! We also got young people ready to go back to school with free hair braiding and haircut services, in addition to passing out more than 100 book bags filled with school supplies, and providing more than 300 meals to those in the community, at no cost to them.