We leverage the power of sport and play and use evidence-based, healing-centered programming to:
- Empower youth from pre-K-to-college and beyond to achieve academic success, develop critical social-emotional skills, and build social capital.
- Strengthen Chicago’s future by building an enduring team of youth, coaches, families, schools, and neighborhoods.
- Training the adults who surround youth everyday with play-based SEL skills and coach behaviors the help youth thrive.
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.
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 opportunity rich, and more connected, which is exactly what our city needs now.
87%
of UI participants come from families who qualify based on financial need.
100K
CPS students reached by UI programs.
80+
Chicago Public Schools across the city have high quality experiences with UI programs.
Sponsors
Latest News
-
Take Me Out to the Ballgame: 2026 Cubs Jr. All-STAR Game
On May 4, 2026, nearly 50 CPS middle school students gathered at Humboldt Park’s Little Cubs Field for the Cubs Jr. All-STAR Game, celebrating leadership, sportsmanship, and cross-neighborhood connections through friendly games and social-emotional learning reflections.
-
From the Classroom to the High-Rise: Avondale Logandale Captains Visit Shore Capital Partners
Two middle school captains from Avondale Logandale visited Shore Capital Partners to explore the professional world and discuss how being a “learning leader” means having the courage to grow alongside your team rather than having all the answers.