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…
Our dedicated supporters at Storck hosted Daley, Biedler and Jenner at the chicago indoor sports center for a special Wednesday night game day.
Students and families from Jahn World Language Academy experienced the life of a college student athlete on Thursday October 17th while attending the Northwestern girls soccer game.
On September 20th, Cornell Square Park made national headlines because of a nighttime gang-related shootout that wounded 13 people, including a 3-year old boy. This news shocked the city, and contributed to the notion that Chicago’s South Side is unsafe and plagued with violence. Richard J. Daley Academy is right across the street from Cornell…
Last Friday, on a beautiful October afternoon, a team of amazing volunteers from Groupon headed out to Seward Park for a game day with kids from Jenner and Walsh. As the Jenner players emerged from school, they shouted with excitement and rushed to greet their new coaches. While the two teams waited for the players…
Urban Initiatives Work to Play students and families from Gunsaulus and flag football all stars from Pasteur Elementary diversified and honed their athletic skills by participating in a football clinic graciously put on by the Menomonee club.
The Fulton Work to Play team and their families suited up in their Urban Initiatives Nike jerseys to go cheer on the DePaul University men’s soccer team on Saturday October 12th at Wish Field.
On Friday, October 4th soccer players and family members from the Hamlin Park, Austin and McKinley Park communities traveled up to Wilmette for the 13th Crosstown Classic with the Wilmette Wings. The Crosstown Classic gives Urban Initiatives soccer players the chance to travel outside their community so they may become familiar with all of the…
A volunteer day unlike any other , happened on Friday, September 27th when Walsh, Daley and Ward revved their engines by getting their hearts beating and feet moving during game day with Mercedes Benz USA volunteers. 90 students from Back of the Yards, Chinatown and Pilsen had the opportunity to make new friends, practice new…
On Saturday, September 21st over 90 Urban Initiatives boys and girls from three different Chicago communities came together for the Multicultural Cup at the Haas Park soccer field. The Urban Initiatives Multicultural Cup uses soccer as a tool to introduce Work to Play program participants to the abundance of cultures that exist around the world.…
After almost four years of dedicated leadership, Ron Redd, Director at BMO Capital Markets and long time Chairman of Urban Initiatives’ Board of Directors, is passing the Chairman’s torch.
“Coach Stephanie, let’s play volleyball tomorrow”. said a seventh grader. “no, let’s play ultimate football,” another chimed in. requests like this and many more continue to come from the students at claremont math & Science academy. Play with potential is A New undertaking with the claremont comets and is already making a deep impact in…
