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 Urban Initiatives Junior Board is comprised of young professionals who volunteer their time and efforts to the thousands of kids UI serves across Chicago. Here is a short interview with our newest Junior Board member, Isabel. UI: Why did you decide to get involved with Urban Initiatives? Isabel: I decided to get more involved…
Annika Clutch is a real team player who first got involved with Urban Initiatives through her company Storck USA. Since 2010 Annika jumps at every opportunity to get involved and is committed to members of our team getting to know each other better. One of Urban Initiatives’ goals is to increase collaboration between members of…
“Un, deux, trois. I can speak French too!” said Gisele, a third grader from the Work to Play team at Tarkington School of Excellence. “That’s very good!” responded Coach Jonathan, a volunteer from IMC Financial Markets, as his team of Tarkington third and fourth graders (the Fire, as they had recently dubbed themselves) warmed up…
During this past winter offseason, Urban Initiatives was thrilled to partner with the Big Shoulders Fund and schools St. Angela and Our Lady of Grace for a season of Soccer Sixty. Typically Urban Initiatives has partnered exclusively with Chicago Public Schools, but through this amazing partnership with the Big Shoulders Fund, Urban Initiatives was able to…
Each month we will share with you two dynamic Team Captains that embody the Take the Lead team spirit and go above and beyond in their communities throughout Chicago. This year 151 Take the Lead Team Captains from 24 Chicago Public Schools across 19 distinct communities will help make an impact in the lives of…
When: Saturday, June 6, 2015 | Where: Midway Plaisance, Hyde Park, Chicago Time: Volunteers: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Event: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Urban Initiatives invites you to witness a one of a kind event. On Saturday, June 6, 2015 – in celebration of Urban Initiatives’ over 1,200 Chicago Public School students and the rapidly approaching…
Longtime Urban Initiatives supporter and current Board member ME Girgenti shares her experience from the third Take the Lead retreat of the year. What do you get when you bring 50+ Take The Lead Team Captains together on a cold winter’s day? Unbridled enthusiasm and positive energy bouncing off the walls, to start. And let’s…
The start of Urban Initiatives’ Spring Work to Play season has arrived. As soccer games and practices begin, Urban Initiatives’ kids and staff would like to recognize Junior Board member extraordinaire, Jamie Hitch. Mr. Hitch, a Quaker employee, joined the Urban Initiatives Junior Board in 2012 and has since dedicated his talents, time, and enthusiasm…
Play with Potential REC Coordinator Earl Aaron graduated from Barton Elementary and is now helping kids at his old school have a happy and healthy recess! When I think back on recess as a child I have very vague memories of it. Not because I having trouble reminiscing on how much fun I had but…
The 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is almost here! 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 the rewards of physical fitness, personal commitment, and hard…
It was another successful Take the Lead retreat this past Saturday with over 50 Team Captains coming together at Beidler Elementary in the East Garfield Park community to participate in a soccer tournament and learn about how they can become leaders in their community. As students across the nation participate in Black History Month, it…
