The Parade of Hearts Brings Hope to Neighborhoods Across Chicago
JT provides pro bono event and media relations support to the Love, Unity & Values (LUV) Institute as part of the JT Gives Back initiative
This summer, as part of JT Gives Back initiative, we provided pro bono event and media relations support to the Love, Unity & Values (LUV) Institute to execute a campaign and launch event for the Parade of Hearts: a series of community art installations that represent the collective struggles of the past year, and the opportunity for rebirth in the wake of both a pandemic and a social justice reckoning.
The Parade of Hearts features 12, five-foot fiberglass 3D hearts placed in various Chicago South Side neighborhoods. Following a series of community conversations with restorative justice facilitators, the hearts were designed by local artists to depict the communities’ values and vision of a “new normal” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice tensions.
The unveiling event gave community members a first look at the hearts before they were placed across the South Side. In attendance were the artists, their families, and community leaders — including Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot — who spoke about the many ways the LUV Institute helps young people overcome adversity and achieve their goals.
“They animate not only neighborhoods, but really spur an important conversation about healing, and love, and nurturing and also addressing the trauma that too many communities, and particularly our young people are facing across our city. ”
While hearts are on display through the end of October, a virtual treasure hunt called “The Hunt for Good: LUV Edition” will help Chicagoans connect with and learn from the communities who participated in the Parade of Hearts, followed by an auction on Saturday, October 16.
Chicago youth have faced many adversities in the past year — many of which were multiplied by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The JT team is honored to have been trusted with relaying the LUV Institute’s message of healing and unity.
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