Thousands of residents gathered Tuesday as part of the Chicago Community Trust's second annual On The Table (OTT) initiative to discuss their visions for the future of the Chicago region.

A day-long event of small group discussions, OTT prompted participants to consider some of the most pressing challenges facing the region and engage in thoughtful conversations about potential solutions and collaborations. In bringing together residents from a wide array of backgrounds and with varying professional responsibilities, organizers hoped to create connections and generate ideas that could be used to improve the quality of life in local communities.

This year’s event marked the beginning of a yearlong campaign to celebrate the Chicago Community Trust’s 100^th anniversary. In the spirt of the organization’s century of giving, the 2015 edition of OTT aimed to celebrate philanthropy while inspiring even more Chicagoans to engage with efforts aimed at creating a better future for our city, state, region and country.

Learn more about this year's OTT event here.