Category Archive
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…
Urban Initiatives was fortunate to have been asked to run a soccer-based health activity for kids at Mayor Emanuel’s community celebration on May 14th in Grant Park. It was a great opportunity for Urban Initiatives to connect with members of the community and supporters of our new Mayor. The highlight of the day was when…
On Monday, May 9th, Urban Initiatives’ Founders Jim Dower and Dan Isherwood were invited to Mayor Daley’s farewell open house. They attended the event and appreciated the opportunity to give thanks and bid goodbye to a man who has been a supporter of education and soccer-based youth development initiatives in the City of Chicago. From…
Urban Initiatives is pleased to announce that partner school, Walsh Elementary has received federal recognition as Gold from the National Healthy Schools Campaign. Walsh is one of the first Chicago Public Schools to receive this honor. To be selected as a recipient of this award Walsh has committed to the health and nutrition of their…
Urban Initiatives is thrilled to have received a grant from the Cubs Care, a fund of the McCormick Foundation, in support of our Work to Play Program at Jahn Elementary. We are incredibly grateful to have their support of our sports-based youth development program. THANK YOU! Jim Dower had the pleasure of accepting the check…
The Chicago Cubs generously donated 30 tickets for their April 18th encounter with San Diego Padres. Students from Walsh Elementary who had 90% or better attendance for the winter season were awarded these tickets to enjoy the game with their families. Erwin Martinez was excited to be at the game with his father who is…
Last week Urban Initiatives’ very own Jim Dower spent a day on the Hill in Washington D.C. educating members of congress about the impact of our Work to Play Program. Urban Initiatives met with several Congressman, Senators, and their respective staff, who represent the communities that host the Work to Play Program in their districts.…