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…
The 4th annual Junior Board Pizza Party at Kirkland and Ellis provided 65 WTP participants, coaches, and 40 Urban Initiatives Junior Board members an opportunity share a meal, talk about future aspirations, and play active games. Work to Play participants from Otis World Language Academy and Providence Englewood Charter (PECS) were thrilled to meet young professionals…
Coach Nefeteri checks-in with a special blog about a trio of siblings at Morton School of Excellence. This Fall, Work to Play returns to Morton School of Excellence for the sixth year running where Coach Ryan Trauger or “Coach T” as the kids call him, has been the On Site Program Director for the past…
Urban Initiatives’ Jim Dower and Julie Chelovich recently had the privilege of traveling abroad to London for the Beyond Sport Summit. This is a three-day event that convenes sport-led, social innovators and global leaders to address sport’s role in driving positive social change. This year’s focus was #BeyondtheDivide. Topics explored included social divides and economic…
‘Twas the night before Halloween when all through Chop Shop many creatures were stirring, even one wearing a blouse. This weekend we celebrated the 13th annual Urban Initiatives Halloween party and it was amazing! A rare weather event came through Chicago – a clear weekend in late October. Taking advantage of the rainless evening, our supporters came…
Save the Date! Join Urban Initiatives at The 10th Anniversary Soccer Ball at Morgan Manufacturing, located at 401 N. Morgan St., on Friday, January 29, 2016 for a night of philanthropy, dancing, cocktails, heavy appetizers and an exquisite silent auction. The Soccer Ball is an integral part of Urban Initiatives’ funding, as the event raises…
Work to Play soccer players from Bateman Elementary took a trip up to Winnetka for a special Saturday Crosstown Classic with students from North Shore Country Day School (NSCDS). NSCDS hosted a beautiful game day filled with music, tons of fun, and lots of soccer. Eight teams of players, consisting of combined groups of NSCDS and Bateman…
Our Work to Play Program is in full force this season, and with Week 6 being the most grateful and impactful week of them all, we just had to share it! Three schools from three different Chicago communities came together for a very special Tuesday Game Day. Ward, Davis, and Jenner Elementary enjoyed friendly soccer…
On Sunday, October 11th, 10 runners representing Team Urban Initiatives competed in the 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. From the start of April through race day, the Team members were hard at work, pushing through mile after mile of long runs and spreading the word about Urban Initiatives’ programs and participants. Their sweat and efforts paid off in…
Work to Play week 5 ended with UI kids from West Englewood, Brighton Park and the Near South Side coming together at Chicago Indoor Sports for a special game day! Gunsaulus was the first to arrive, and got the opportunity to play a few rounds of Junk Food Tag with a group of great volunteers…
The season has changed. Gone are the sweltering Summer days; in are the cool, brisk, and often blustery ones of Fall. With the change in climes also comes the annual Crosstown Classic with the Wilmette Wings. The Crosstown Classic has been an annual event since 2003, bringing Urban Initiatives students out to Wilmette to play with…
With the Work to Play soccer season just starting, our players from Jordan Elementary and Bateman Academy traveled in full force to New Trier, where the high school boys’ soccer team facilitated drills and an exciting scrimmage. Our players enthusiastically took to the field and quickly joined the high school players in Junk Food Tag,…
