Category Archive
During the first week of the Work to Play program both Libby and Daley soccer players were surprised by a visit from Chicago Fire Captain Jeff Larentowicz. His first stop was Daley Elementary in the Back of the Yards community. The Captain and UI Executive Director, Jim Dower, toured the practice field at Cornell Square…
The 3rd annual Multicultural Cup brought out the best in everyone. Over 100 boys and girls from three schools and three different neighborhoods trekked to Haas Park in Logan Square for a very special Work to Play Game Day. The local Work to Play school Goethe hosted their friends from Jahn and Morton for a…
Team Captains from our Take the Lead program kicked off the start of the new school year with the first retreat of 2014. Over 50 captains from all over the city came together at Nathanael Greene Elementary, in the McKinley Park neighborhood, to build upon their leadership skills. The day started with a few icebreakers…
Since the 2010-2011 school year, Urban Initiatives’ Work to Play program has teamed up with AmeriCorps to help make a long lasting impact on thousands of kids in various Chicago schools and communities. As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of AmeriCorps we would like to thank every Urban Initiatives Coach that has dedicated a year,…
The first week of school is in the books! First year REC Coordinator Amanda Diaz shares her experience as the “new kid on the block” at Prieto. Then, Second year REC Coordinator, Katie shares her week one experience as she once again gets students at Palmer moving. Hey everyone, Coach Amanda here! Being the new…
The 2nd Annual Work to Play Cup was a huge success! Thanks to all of the sponsors who made this one-of-a-kind event possible!
Principals and team members share why they feel Play with Potential builds better students.
Bryant Craft is a new Program Associate from Worcester, MA. This is his first year as a Coach Across America coach and he is looking forward to the start of the season. Bryant has played soccer since he was four years old. In middle and high school he also played basketball. He grew up in Worcester,…
Brandon Reed hails from Chicago’s south side community of Englewood. Brandon attended Curie Performing Arts High School where he played basketball and trombone in the school band. He then went on to University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana where he studied Recreational Sports. His favorite thing about Chicago is the “Soul” of the city rooted in the various…
Kevin attended Mount Carmel High School in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. He then went downstate to Bloomington Illinois where he was a student at Illinois State University. His favorite part of Chicago is Blues Fest weekend. He is drawn to working with UI because of the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of…