Started six years ago as a birthday celebration, the Out West Block Party returned Saturday to the 4000 block of West Gladys Avenue., bringing a day of music, games and community to West Side families.
The Out West Block Party was free and open to the public, offering attendees food, school supplies, raffle prizes, music and dance, basketball, Double Dutch and free on-site HIV and STD testing.
Blewprint Salon, Longevity Studios by Nikko Rogers and DJ Jovito J Baby teamed up with Dee Jefferies, the executive director of For the Kids Media and Arts, to continue the annual event
Jefferies started the Out West Block Party as a way to honor his own childhood memories of neighborhood block parties. Returning to the community after college, he noticed that while familiar faces remained, the neighborhood wasn’t as close-knit as it once had been. He was thus inspired to bring neighbors together and revive that sense of connection.
“There weren’t as many kids who felt comfortable playing outside, so we wanted to bring the community together, help neighbors get to know each other, and give children a safe place to play without worrying about anything. Overall, it was meant to be a way to strengthen the community,” Jefferies said.
Each year, an increasing number of children attend the block party, taking advantage of its offering and as a way to simply enjoy a day to be kids, according to Jefferies. The event has expanded its programming since its first year, now offering after-school activities, open gym sessions and traveling basketball programs.
Each year, For The Kids Media and Arts prioritizes providing health resources and screenings, including HIV and STD testing, to ensure the community has accessible care.
Prophet Jiorg Dail was at the Out West Block Party with Care2Prevent, a nonprofit connected to the University of Chicago that focuses on HIV and STI prevention.
“This is our first time at the block party. We are hoping to complete some testing –
we usually average three to five tests at events. Our goal is to at least get people tested and educated, and hopefully engage many through our HIV and STI trivia wheel. Our testing is completely free and confidential,” Dail said.
Jefferies notices the relief on parents’ faces as school essentials are provided each year, but he said the true impact is in seeing the joy on the children’s faces.
Simple acts, like giving a child a decorated book bag or a stuffed animal from a carnival game, bring great joy and highlight the purpose of the Out West Block Party. The excitement on the children’s faces continues to motivate Jefferies and his team in their work with the community.
Jefferies relies on community input when planning the block party, consulting neighbors to understand their needs and concerns. This feedback helps guide which vendors and resources to bring in, from health services and DMV access to after-school programming.
“A big part of the block party is highlighting things that people might not know about, both within the community and beyond. While it is the Out West Block Party, the organizers focus on the whole city, bringing in local businesses from the neighborhood as well as recommending interesting spots on the South Side or downtown,” Jefferies said.