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 11th crosstown Classic was the biggest one yet! The crosstown was hosted by the Wings in Wilmette’s beautiful Avoca Park. we were pleased the rain Stayed awAy for our fun, soccer-filled afternoon togEtheR. ui is forever grateful to the WingS community for their ongoiNg supPort oF urban initiatives’ efforts. this year, we had over…
Last Wednesday, ninety youth from all corners of Chicago – from Kenwood and Hyde Park to West Town and Rogers Park – descended upon UIC’s soccer field for an afternoon full of soccer, healthy food, and making new friends. These youth represented a rich array of faith traditions, coming from Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and…
urban Initiatives wishes to thank stacy stutz for contributing this insightful blog post and the amazing photos of the work to Play ProgRam in action. urban initiatives cOnsideRs stacy one of the most valuable players on our team! Originally intrOduced tO urbAn initiatives in tHe falL of 2007 when my daugHter first participated in the…
Last weekend, two Urban Initiatives staff members took off their soccer cleats and put on their running shoes to take part in the 1st annual Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council Family Fun & Fitness 5k! Simba and April warmed up for the race with Southpaw, the White Sox mascot (what is he supposed to…
At Jenner Academy’s first practice of the Fall, when Coach Simba shouted out, "Kiss the soccer ball!" without first saying "Coach says" a few kids dropped down to give their soccer ball a big smooch, while the players who were listening attentively watched on howling with laughter. Playing new games like Coach Says (similar to…
Eleven of the eighteen schools at which Urban Initiatives is running the Work to Play Program kicked off their Fall Season this week. Urban Initiatives is thrilled to welcome Lloyd and Pasteur Elementary Schools to the UI team! UI would like to send a special thank you to the Chicago Fire Foundation for helping us…
On AUGUst 18th, ui’s two newest schools, Pasteur and lloyd got off tO A great start with a trip to Toyota Park for their very first Chicago Fire soCcer game! ThESe schools were added to the prograM as a result of the chicago fire foundation’s biggesT grant ever. Inspired by Section 8, the fire’s official…
Urban Initiatives wishes to congratulate long-time supporter FC Barcelona on their historic partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to completely eradicate polio! Bill Gates wrote in a recent post announcing the partnership, We hope that together we can bring more global attention to the promise of lifesaving vaccines and the fight to end…
On July 23rd, 150 Urban Initiatives participants attended an unforgettable match between the Chicago Fire and Manchester United at Soldier Field. These tickets were generously donated by the Chicago Fire Foundation and allowed teams from four UI schools to attend – those schools were Prieto Academy, Claremont Academy, Tarkington School and Daley Academy.
On Saturday July 23rd, thirty-five Urban Initiatives participants from Prieto Academy took part in a soccer clinic put on by the world-renowned Manchester United Soccer Schools.
Urban Initiatives teams from four South Side schools ended their 2010-2011 soccer season by making fun educational trips to community gardens and farmers’ markets in their communities. The kids had a blast learning about, tasting, and purchasing healthy foods that were both locally grown and affordable. Many parents, grandparents, and siblings also came along…