Who we are

We’re Chicago’s Greatest Sports Team

WHAT WE DO

We Empower Youth Through Sport & Play

Join the Impact

The Soccer Ball on January 31st, 2025 will raise $600K for Sports & Play.

We leverage the power of sport and play and use evidence-based, healing-centered programming to: 

  • Empower youth — pre-K-to-college and beyond — achieve academic success, develop critical social-emotional skills, and build social capital.
  • Address systemic issues including economic inequity, poverty, racism, and violence.
  • Strengthen Chicago’s future by building an enduring team of youth, coaches, families, schools, and neighborhoods. 

Invest in quality coaches

Invest in quality coaches

Invest in quality coaches

Invest in quality coaches

Invest in quality coaches

Enlist support from diverse networks of families, schools, and community members

Enlist support from diverse networks of families, schools, and community members

Enlist support from diverse networks of families, schools, and community members

Develop social-emotional learning through play

Develop social-emotional learning through play

Develop social-emotional learning through play

Use our network to help students build social capital

Use our network to help students build social capital

Use our network to help students build social capital

Why We Do It

Sports Can Change Lives

Sports and play have tremendous impact. They bring joy to and build confidence in the youths who participate. They unite families, schools, and communities.

But the playing field isn’t level. Chicago families need increased free play and sports opportunities for their children — especially those in the UI style, with caring coaches trained to instill teamwork, empathy, and stress-management.

We believe that delivering this kind of programming not only supports kids as they learn and grow but helps make Chicago safer, more equitable, and more connected, which is exactly what our city needs now. 

87%

of UI participants come from families qualifying as low income

50K

CPS students reached by UI programs.

80+

Chicago Public Schools across the city have UI programs

Sponsors

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