Category Archive

UI in Action

  • Urban Initiatives Night with UIC

    Davis’ REC Coordinator Nestor Rico shares a one of a kind experience for UI kids from Urban Initiatives Night at UIC! As the Director of Community Assist at the University of Illinois at Chicago I am responsible for reaching out to schools, club teams, and non for profit organizations to offer them a unique experience…

    Urban Initiatives Night with UIC
  • Three Cheers for UI Volunteers!

    We had some incredible volunteers this Fall, many of whom have made a lasting impact on their teams, so I just wanted to spend some time to highlight a few of our all-stars this season. Our furthest traveller comes all the way from Germany, and he dedicated three days a week of his stay in…

    Three Cheers for UI Volunteers!
  • Zoo Lights with the #UIJB

    Urban Initiatives Junior Board member Kyle Smith shares his experience on a recent #UIJB Field Trip to Zoo Lights with the Kozminski and Lorca Work to Play teams! Friday, December 4th – Urban Initiatives and the Junior Board had the privilege to host Kozminski and Lorca for this year’s Zoo Lights! The Lincoln Park Zoo was…

  • UI Parents Join the Fun

    Coach Kaitlyn shares highlights from her parent/player scrimmages at Tarkington, Lee, Marquette, and Faraday! Central to Urban Initiative’s mission is the empowerment of Chicago’s youth. We strive for this by teaching our kids soccer skills and the power of teamwork; the value of academic achievement; and the importance of choosing healthy lifestyles. What oftentimes goes…

    UI Parents Join the Fun
  • Career Planning with Grainger

    Team Captains got an early start on their futures this past Friday at the second Take the Lead Retreat of the year, hosted at Grainger’s incredible facilities in Lake Forest. After a long bus ride from the city, Captains arrived on Grainger’s beautiful campus, which is complete with a running path, cafeterias, and enough meeting…

    Career Planning with Grainger
  • 4th Annual #UIJB Pizza Party

    The 4th annual Junior Board Pizza Party at Kirkland and Ellis provided 65 WTP participants, coaches, and 40 Urban Initiatives Junior Board members an opportunity share a meal, talk about future aspirations, and play active games. Work to Play participants from Otis World Language Academy and Providence Englewood Charter (PECS) were thrilled to meet young professionals…

    4th Annual #UIJB Pizza Party
  • Meet Team Tilly!

    Coach Nefeteri checks-in with a special blog about a trio of siblings at Morton School of Excellence. This Fall, Work to Play returns to Morton School of Excellence for the sixth year running where Coach Ryan Trauger or “Coach T” as the kids call him, has been the On Site Program Director for the past…

    Meet Team Tilly!
  • Crosstown Classic with North Shore Country Day School

    Work to Play soccer players from Bateman Elementary took a trip up to Winnetka for a special Saturday Crosstown Classic with students from North Shore Country Day School (NSCDS). NSCDS hosted a beautiful game day filled with music, tons of fun, and lots of soccer. Eight teams of players, consisting of combined groups of NSCDS and Bateman…

    Crosstown Classic with North Shore Country Day School
  • Storck USA Give UI Kids a Sweet Game Day

    Our Work to Play Program is in full force this season, and with Week 6 being the most grateful and impactful week of them all, we just had to share it! Three schools from three different Chicago communities came together for a very special Tuesday Game Day. Ward, Davis, and Jenner Elementary enjoyed friendly soccer…

    Storck USA Give UI Kids a Sweet Game Day
  • Team Quaker Brings the Fuel to Game Day

    Work to Play week 5 ended with UI kids from West Englewood, Brighton Park and the Near South Side coming together at Chicago Indoor Sports for a special game day! Gunsaulus was the first to arrive, and got the opportunity to play a few rounds of Junk Food Tag with a group of great volunteers…

    Team Quaker Brings the Fuel to Game Day