We wanted to do something about the narrative…

We wanted to do something about the fact that Chicago is one of the most incredible and diverse cities in the world, and also one of the most segregated. Many people never venture into other neighborhoods, never meet people that look or think different from them, and never get to experience someone’s else story (or tell their own!).

We wanted to do something about what people living in Chicago were saying about people coming into Chicago across the past few years. Migrants were arriving on buses and every means possible to find a better life – just like every other immigrant community now living here – and not only was there a challenge to meet basic human needs (shelter, hygiene, food) but also a challenge of welcoming and accepting people who are not our own people, making room for them, and living life together with them.

And so with the support of the Walder Foundation, we created Youth Journeying Together. We invited high school youth from six different immigrant and migrant communities to spend a year in meaningful contact with each other…

…To visit each other’s neighborhoods
…To share and hear each other’s stories of migration
…To eat each other’s food and sing each other’s songs
…To form lasting relationships across lines of division
…To mold youth leaders that will return to their communities as ambassadors
…To promote healing between communities in conflict
…To change the narrative.

We called our partners at Woodlawn Restorative Justice Hub, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, HANA Center, Palenque LSNA, UChicago Hillel, and United African Organization and found 18 amazing youth leaders to journey with us

Beginning in February 2025, each organization hosted all of us for a daylong experience of storytelling, food, and fun together. They got a chance to “set the record straight” and teach the truth about the values they hold dear and the reasons they migrated to Chicago. It’s been an incredible experience, but don’t take our word for it, check out the pictures and video below!

Pastor Julian describing the program

What are our youth leaders saying about the experience???

Danae Kovac, Executive Director of HANA Center

And check out the gallery below to see pictures from each trip!

Thanks to the Walder Foundation and ALL of our organizations for coming together to do a good thing. And a special shout out to all our YOUTH LEADERS – dreaming of a better world and working to make it so. Let’s keep going! If you or your organization want to get involved, send us a message! YJT@universitychurchchicago.org