Safety Standards

My Dining Companion Chicago | Last Updated: May 2026

Our Approach to Safety

My Dining Companion Chicago takes the safety of our participants seriously. We have designed our service with several layers of precaution, but we want to be transparent about both what we do and what we cannot guarantee.

MDC Chicago is a facilitator, not a guarantor of safety. We encourage every participant to exercise their own judgment.

Public-Place Requirement

All first meetings must take place at a public restaurant, cafe, or similar establishment. Meet at the venue independently. Choose well-lit, reasonably busy venues. Do not agree to move to a private location during a first meetup. Report anyone who suggests a private venue.

Our Verification Process

We review all intake form submissions for completeness and consistency. Matches are made by our team, not by an unsupervised algorithm. We follow up after meetups and incorporate participant feedback.

What Verification Is Not

Our review is not a background check. We cannot verify the truthfulness of everything a participant tells us. Our process adds a layer of human review and care, but does not certify that any participant is safe or trustworthy.

Tips for Safe Meetups

Before the Meetup

• Tell a friend or family member where you are going, who you are meeting, and when you expect to be back.
• Arrange your own transportation.
• Keep your phone charged.
• Trust your instincts. It is okay to cancel.

During the Meetup

• Meet at the venue. Arrive independently.
• Stay in public areas.
• Limit alcohol, especially for a first meeting.
• Keep personal details measured.
• You can leave at any time for any reason.

After the Meetup

• Check in with your contact person.
• Share feedback with us.
• Report anything concerning.

How to Report a Concern

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Contact MDC Chicago at b@deepgratitude.com with subject line “Safety Concern.”

Emergency Contacts

• Emergency services: 911
• Chicago Police non-emergency: 311
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

MDC Chicago’s Role

We are: A facilitator, a team that reviews with care, a community with conduct standards, and a service that takes reports seriously.

We are not: A guarantor of safety, a background check service, a chaperone, or liable for the actions of individual participants.

Every adult who participates does so voluntarily and assumes personal responsibility for their own safety decisions.

Contact

Email: b@deepgratitude.com
Website: mdcchicago.com

MDC Chicago is a non-romantic dining companionship service. We are not a dating platform.