In the wake of several tense Halloweens in Hyde Park, I helped co-found Collabooration (“Colla BOO ration”), a community-led safety and engagement initiative supported by Chicago’s 3rd and 4th Ward offices.
Our mission was to reimagine Halloween on the South Side as a night of celebration, safety, and visibility for Black and Brown youth. Working alongside GoodKids MadCity, Kenwood Academy, and local businesses, we designed activations that emphasized community presence over policing—training volunteers in restorative approaches and building trust through familiarity, recognition, and design.
My role focused on creative strategy and youth engagement, ensuring that the experience was both safe and culturally resonant. The effort continues today, shaping new models for youth-centered public safety across Chicago.
“Organizers Set Training for Halloween Volunteers” — Hyde Park Herald, October 23, 2019
The first feature announcing the committee’s formation and outlining its plan to train 100 community volunteers for de-escalation and safety efforts on Halloween night.
It introduces the partnership between the 3rd and 4th Ward offices, The LUV Institute, GoodKids MadCity, and Kenwood Academy.
Jonathan Williams (then Senior Class Vice President at Kenwood) is quoted discussing youth engagement and the importance of using trusted adults—teachers, staff, and mentors—instead of police presence to maintain safety.
The first feature announcing the committee’s formation and outlining its plan to train 100 community volunteers for de-escalation and safety efforts on Halloween night.
It introduces the partnership between the 3rd and 4th Ward offices, The LUV Institute, GoodKids MadCity, and Kenwood Academy.
Jonathan Williams (then Senior Class Vice President at Kenwood) is quoted discussing youth engagement and the importance of using trusted adults—teachers, staff, and mentors—instead of police presence to maintain safety.
“Hundreds of Volunteers ‘Collaboorate’ for a Safe Halloween” — Hyde Park Herald, November 1, 2019
The second article captures the first Collabooration event in action on 53rd Street.
It highlights hundreds of volunteers transforming Hyde Park into a community-safe zone through music, block parties, and presence. The piece reflects on how recognition and relationship—not enforcement—made the night peaceful and celebratory.
The second article captures the first Collabooration event in action on 53rd Street.
It highlights hundreds of volunteers transforming Hyde Park into a community-safe zone through music, block parties, and presence. The piece reflects on how recognition and relationship—not enforcement—made the night peaceful and celebratory.
“Collabooration Builds a Model for Youth-Led Public Safety” — Hyde Park Herald, November 6, 2019
The final feature reflects on outcomes from the inaugural event and how the Collabooration framework could serve as a year-round model for youth-driven safety initiatives.
It details how creative strategy, restorative practice, and collaboration between schools, youth groups, and local leaders laid the foundation for a new approach to public safety on Chicago’s South Side.
The final feature reflects on outcomes from the inaugural event and how the Collabooration framework could serve as a year-round model for youth-driven safety initiatives.
It details how creative strategy, restorative practice, and collaboration between schools, youth groups, and local leaders laid the foundation for a new approach to public safety on Chicago’s South Side.
