Every year the 2024 Chicago Marathon is a celebration of joy, community, and the power of play, drawing thousands of people out for the fun. Yet, in the very neighborhoods that host this iconic event, many Chicago youth and families still lack access to sports and play opportunities. This year, our Charity team is lacing…
Maria, our wonderful intern from Urban Alliances’ career and college preparedness program just won the “Intern of the Week” award, and we couldn’t agree more! Urban Initiatives partners with Urban Alliance to provide quality internship opportunities for high school seniors across the city. Maria comes to us from Farragut High School, in the Little Village…
Team Captains are getting ready for the Spring Season! As you know, there is no off-season for Take the Lead participants! Last month, Team Captains across 27 schools participated in Huddle #5-Task Persistence. Middle schoolers discussed what it means to be persistent and committed to something, especially when times get tough. They started to discuss…
Unfortunately for their ratings, ESPN 8 (the Ocho) missed a great sporting event last Friday at Gunsaulus Scholastic Academy. The Play with Potential squad, led by Coach Ruth and Mr. Glover, put on a dodgeball tournament to help raise money for the upcoming 8th grade trip to Washington DC. The middle school academies faced off in a…
Coach Kevin from Prieto joined the UI team last year as a Program Associate for the Work to Play program. Now he spends his entire day at Dr. Jorge Prieto Math and Science Academy as a School Based Program Coordinator. Check out what Coach Kevin has to say about his new role! I always explain…
Check out Katie Sullivan, UI’s Program Evaluation and Volunteer Manager blog from when she attended Women On Call’s 10th Anniversary Meet & Match event. Urban Initiatives has been involved with Women On Call since its inception in 2006. Over the last 10 years, a variety of departments have benefitted from Women On Call’s support in…
The 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is almost here! Registration begins on March 8th and ends April 12th! Make the most of your experience by joining Team Urban Initiatives. Team members will raise funds in support of Urban Initiatives’ programming and serve as positive role models for the children we work with by promoting…
UI Student Board member Kelly Reichert gives us an update on how High School students are giving back. The Urban Initiatives Student Board is an energetic group of hardworking students that have come together from numerous high schools to support UI through volunteering and fundraising activities. Â We began the fall with a fun, organizational meeting…
The mighty Lee Lions sure know how to get in shape and have fun! On Wednesday February 17th Kate Klapperich and Savannah McKinley (UI staff members) volunteered at Lee’s Family Fitness Night! With over 150 participants, Lee was full of students and their families participating in Zumba, soccer tournaments, yoga, and recess games. Blast fitness Burbank…
At the 10th Anniversary Soccer Ball, Urban Initiatives announced the creation of the Paula Harrison Armstrong “Lead Strong” Endowment. This endowment will honor the legacy of Paula Armstrong who was a fundamental member of the Urban Initiatives family and passed away in 2014.  Paula was a tireless advocate for the children in our programs, and her enthusiasm…
Urban Initiatives invites you to a a soccer tournament featuring friendly competition, team building, and representatives from over 20 Chicagoland companies – the 2nd Annual Corporate Challenge Cup. On Saturday, July 16, 2016 – in support of the 15,000 Chicago Public School students in Urban Initiatives’ programs – over 150 Chicago professionals will gather at…
