Bring It On Home
Activating Spaces. Empowering Neighborhoods.
Bring It On Home
Activating Spaces. Empowering Neighborhoods.
Every neighborhood has a space with potential. An overgrown lot. An unused corner. A small park that needs care. Even the exterior of a home that could use new life.
Bring It On Home (BIOH) is a community-driven initiative by MidCity Redevelopment Alliance designed to transform unutilized or mismanaged spaces into activated places that benefit the community. From community gardens, playgrounds, pocket parks, and gathering spaces to exterior home improvements and neighborhood beautification projects, this initiative invites residents to reimagine what is possible for their block.
Through this initiative, residents can nominate a space in their neighborhood that they believe could be transformed for the better of the community. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel, and two projects will be selected for transformation.
• First Place Project: Completed by Fall 2026
• Second Place Project: Completed by Spring 2027
Selected projects will be completed with the help of community partners, volunteers, and local supporters.
This initiative is about more than improving a physical space it's about strengthening neighborhood pride, encouraging community engagement, and creating meaningful places that positively impact the people who live there.
How to Participate:
Residents are invited to submit a short video or essay highlighting a space in their neighborhood that could benefit from this initiative.
IF uploading a video, it does not need to be professionally produced. A phone recording is perfectly fine. What matters most is clearly showing the space and sharing your vision.
Submission Options:
Option 1 - Video Submission Requirements:
To participate, applicants must upload a video to YouTube and submit the link through this application.
Your video must follow these guidelines:
Title Format: Bring It On Home 2026 Submission – (Neighborhood Name)
Length: 2–3 minutes maximum
Your video should include the following:
1. Clearly Show the Space
Walk through or pan across the area so reviewers can clearly see the condition and layout of the space.
2. Describe the Current Condition
Explain what is happening in this space now. Is it unused, overgrown, damaged, or underutilized?
3. Share Your Vision
Tell us what you would like this space to become.
4. Community Impact
Explain why this transformation would benefit your neighborhood and who would primarily benefit from the project.
Examples may include children, families, seniors, or the broader community.
Option 2 - Essay Prompt:
In addition to your video submission, applicants must provide a written response to the following prompt:
Describe the space you are nominating and explain why it deserves transformation. What challenges does this space currently present, and how would improving it positively impact the surrounding neighborhood and its residents?
Your response should also describe your vision for the space and how the community would benefit from the transformation.
Essays should be no more than 500 words.
Selection Process:
All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges based on several factors, including:
• Community need and impact
• Feasibility of the proposed transformation
• Level of community support
• Clarity of the applicant’s vision
Two projects will be selected and completed with the support of volunteers, community partners, and local organizations.
If you believe a space in your neighborhood deserves better, this is your opportunity to help create meaningful change.
Show us the space.
Share your vision.
Help activate your neighborhood.
Submit your application and 1 submission option to be considered for Bring It On Home 2026.