Category Archive
In addition to the Work to Play Program, Urban Initiatives was able to implement a project called Healthy Places. Through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control, we were able to expand our presence in 4 partner schools on the South Side. Working with school administrators, teachers and parent groups, we formed Wellness Committees…
Last week, amid the bustle of the school year’s end, soccer players from Nathanael Greene Elementary celebrated the end of their first season of the Work To Play program. Packed into a kindergarten classroom with tiny chairs, it was easy to see how much the Greene team had grown in the last eight weeks. Sitting…
On June 2nd, a sunny Chicago Saturday, seventy-five youth from all corners of Chicago descended upon Humboldt Park’s Allstate 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 non-religious families. This was the third Interfaith Cup…
HomeMade Pizza Co. loves helping the community as much as they love making great pizza. Urban Initiatives Junior Board Members Joseph Katelman and Kyle Rose took the initiative to put together the Four Cheese Fundraiser with HomeMade Pizza Co. Thanks to them, the evening raised $342 to provide busing for the final day of programming…
As of today, Urban Initiatives serves 4,785 kids across 23 schools in communities like Englewood, Roseland, Cabrini-Green, Humboldt Park, Pilsen and North Lawndale. The reality our kids face everyday isn’t the same as what other youth around Chicago or it’s outlying suburbs encounter in their own communities. The constant sound of sirens and loud cracks…
"Howe do you feel?""Good!""Howe do you feel?""Good!""Howe do you feel?""Real Good!" It’s Game Day. Vashon Jordan, head coach at Howe Elementary, expects the soccer team to have a great attitude before they play Lloyd Elementary. Shin guards, black shorts, and a crisp, white shirts embroidered with the Urban Initiatives logo completes their uniform. The team…
Urban Initiatives is enormously grateful to have worked through Public Allies to bring the Starbucks Community Service team to work at our Englewood partner schools. We are excited about the possibility of continuing this partnership to support our beloved schools. Urban Initiatives values opportunities for people to experience different communities, ideas, and ways of living,…
On April 10th and 11th Urban Initiatives partnered with Coach Across America to help launch an initiative in which Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) will commit $1.3 million dollars in 2012 to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA to fund and place 250 coaches in five U.S cities, approximately 40 of which will be in Chicago.…
A great group of volunteers from PwC recently received the opportunity to run around and talk about teamwork with Work to Play soccer players from Walsh, Attucks and Morton at Chicago Indoor Sports. PwC volunteers rode a bus together to the Indoor Center, giving them a taste of the experience our players receive on game…
Many adults can recall a moment in their childhood when they were read to by a teacher, parent, or volunteer. And most can attest to that experience creating a positive influence on their lives. Pasteur Elementary, an Urban Initiatives Work to Play school, was lucky to have a team of volunteers pay a visit for…