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…
I come from the same impoverished communities that most of the kids in our program come from. I know very well that unhealthy eating habits are often a pattern and that poor nutrition is also magnified by limited accessibility to healthy options. As a kid, I not only chose to eat unhealthy foods but I…
Urban Initiatives Program Associate Cynthia Flores shares two success stories from the fall season: A third grade boy from Otis Elementary, received low scores on his Work to Play report and had to sit out of the first game of the season. Though he had perfect attendance at practice, he was having some trouble in…
Urban Initiatives is gearing up for the 5th Annual Soccer Ball to be held on January 28th, 2011. Once again this fabulous party will be held at Salvage One located at 1840 W Hubbard in Chicago. The party will run from 7pm. to 11pm. and tickets are $100 in advance and $110 at the door.…
On October 12th Urban Initiatives participants from Prieto Academy had the incredible opportunity to attend the Chicago Fire game at Toyota Park thanks to a generous donation made by the Fire. In total, 75 students, parents, and coaches from the school cheered on the Fire as they battled against the Kansas City Wizards. For many…
Dear Wilmette Wings Community, Thank you for coming together once again to produce another amazing Crosstown Classic Tournament. This years’ Crosstown was the 10th event hosted in Wilmette and we couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. The Wings dedication to the success of this event has meant a great deal to our organization…
Up2Us continues to be dedicated to educating our Nation’s leaders on the importance of sports-based youth development. Last week in Washington DC, Up2Us members came together for the first federal forum on why sports are important to child development. During the week, attendees were able to reach out to a number of groups in order…
On Thursday September 16th, Storck USA volunteers and Urban Initiatives participants, from Walsh Elementary School and Jenner Academy, came together for a back- to- school Healthy Lifestyles Soccer Tournament. The volunteers and participants exercised and played from 4 to 5pm at the beautiful Chicago Indoor Sports facility. After some very exciting games, the volunteers from…
Coach Abreu at Goethe school has taken to implementing CLOCC‘s 54321 Go! curriculum during her PE lessons. School wide kids at Goethe are able to recite the 54321 Go chant. All grades (k-8) have responded well to it and incorporating the teachings into their lives. This increased awareness will help the students to live healthier…
Urban Initiatives is thrilled to be have been invited by the Wilmette Wings to participate in our 10th Cross-town Classic with the club. The event will take place on October 1st from 3:45-5:30pm at Avoca Fields. We would love for you to come out and join the fun!
On September 11, 2010. I took the Daley Academy kids in my Urban Initiatives soccer program to watch the football game: Northwestern Vs. Illinois State. My students had a great time. They were excited and happy to be there. When they returned to school on Monday Sept. 13, 2010, they were very excited and other teachers informed…
This fall Moosejaw held a back to school backpack drive, for which people could bring in their used backpacks and trade them in for a new one at a reduced rate. Moosejaw graciously donated the used bags to Urban Initiatives and we are going to distribute them to students at the Morton School of Excellence…