Be a Part of the Light
Saturday, December 5th at 10 A.M. - 2 P.M. | Altgeld Gardens
Be a Part of the Light uses the simple act of hanging holiday lights to interrupt trauma created from persistent police lights and remind residents that they matter and deserve to be inspired.
For eight years, Be a Part of the Light has lit up Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, reminding our neighbors that they matter. This year, My Block, My Hood, My City is EXTENDING that light to Altgeld Gardens in 2026, reflecting the promise of the CTA’s Red Line Extension to invest in all of Chicago and connect communities that have too often been overlooked.
What is Be a Part of the Light?
Be a Part of the Light, now in its 9th year, is My Block, My Hood, My City’s annual holiday initiative to bring joy, connection, and hope to Chicago’s South Side.
Each year, volunteers and community members come together to transform neighborhoods with festive holiday lights, replacing the cold glow of police cameras with the warm colors of celebration.
The campaign interrupts cycles of isolation and trauma by creating spaces where neighbors can gather, smile, and feel seen. Through simple acts of stringing lights, sharing cheer, and showing up, we remind communities that they matter and that we are all connected.
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors
You Can Be a Part of the Light
Partnering with My Block, My Hood, My City shows your team and future talent that your values go beyond the bottom line. Because when your company lights up a neighborhood, you also light up hearts—inside and outside your organization.