In honor of surpassing 1M Lime Hero trips and donations exceeding $500K, we are thrilled to introduce a new monthly series called “Hero of the Month!”

This month, we are spotlighting My Block My Hood My City (M3). M3’s mission is to inspire youth, empower communities, and build a better world one block at a time.

We spoke with Nathaniel Viets-VanLear, Director of Engagement & Outreach from M3 for a fireside Q&A.

Can you give us a brief overview on what you do?

As Director of Engagement and Outreach I help form strategic partnerships for the organization that help us to build in coalition, magnify our impact, and elicit fiscal support for the many community facing programs we engage in.

How does M3 measure its impact on Chicago?

We use video testimonies to showcase much of our work in the city as we work to capture the true nature of our community engagement through the stories of folks affected on the ground. We also utilize surveys for our Block Clean Ups, Youth Explorations, and other impact work.

What is your favorite part about M3?

As someone who began in our Youth Development department, the work of the Explorers program is my favorite thing that we do. Introducing youth to new opportunities through travel and exploration is amazing to be a part of and witness. No two trips are the same, nor is their impact. We get to participate in the joy of showcasing all that the city has to offer while connecting youth with businesses and institutions willing and ready to welcome them. It's just great to be along for the ride!

What is the biggest obstacle M3 faces?

Although our programming and impact has been consistent, funding trends have not! Since the end of 2022 businesses have begun to shift their focus away from black organizations and community social service work. We need continued support in order to create change!

How did you get involved in M3?

I came on board the team back in 2019 in the earlier days of the organization. We were very small back then with only 6 of us mostly working out of coffee shops and in the streets to stretch the impact of this work across the city. As a start up, we each needed to do a little bit of everything in order to be successful. It's amazing to see how much the organization has grown and developed since then. We are now touching thousands of lives each year but still have a start-up mindset in how we innovate and activate.

What was the biggest project you worked on in 2023? What was the impact?

Our downtown day initiative! In the summer of 2023 we hosted a massive citywide event, aimed at bringing 1,000 youth, ages 13-22, to explore downtown Chicago. Thanks to the partnership of many organizations, dozens of youth organizations, local businesses, and restaurants we were able to pull it all together and create an amazing, and positive, day for youth from all across the city. When they arrived we provided them with an M3 t-shirt as well as a $50 gift card to spend as they chose. Many of these young people had never been downtown before: Watching them engage in a whole Saturday full of new activities and views was a sight to remember!

What's ahead for 2024?

Due to the popularity of its pilot year we are bringing Downtown Day back in July of 2024! We are also planning a large-scale March on Madison against gun violence in August, in honor of JJ: one of our explorers who lost his life in a shooting in his own community. We encourage folks to participate in both these initiatives this summer, as volunteers, donors, and/or to spread the word! We will also of course be continuing our youth development and community development work all-year long. A new year with plenty on the horizon!

Anything else you want to share?

Learn more about us at www.Formyblock.org, and consider buying one of our Hoodies (they are very popular)!

Rapid Fire Questions

E-bike or E-Scooter?

Scooter

Favorite place to take a Lime in Chicago

Lakefront

Favorite part about partnering with Lime?

Youth having fun on scooters

Three words that describe M3?

Explore. Experience. Evolve

If M3 had a superhero mascot, who would it be and why?

Green Lantern: we use positive energy to make wild ideas a reality!