Category Archive

UI in Action

  • If You Paint It, They Will Play

    On Friday, May 24th students at Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy worked together on a large project to brighten up their school’s playground area.  When Saucedo’s recess coordinator, Coach Paul, suggested that the school improve recess quality by adding fun designs to the playground blacktop, students in Ms. Korth’s elective art classes stepped up to the…

    If You Paint It, They Will Play
  • Greene Takes a New Spin on Field Day

    To wrap up the end of the school year, each Play with Potential school created a variation on the theme of “Field Day.” At Otis, students raced around the school, trying to beat their teacher, a marathon runner. At Tarkington, a classic field day will give kids a lot of time outside playing games of…

    Greene Takes a New Spin on Field Day
  • Junior Board Drives the Extra Mile for Bus Campaign

    Throughout the month of May, urban Initiatives’ Junior board conducted a bus Campaign. the goal of the campaign was to raise $15,000 to offset urban Initiatives’ massive costs to transport students to and from practices, games, field trips and other events. Urban Initiatives spends thousands of dollars each year on over 200 bus rides for…

    Junior Board Drives the Extra Mile for Bus Campaign
  • Glenbrook North Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team Hosts Friday Game Day

    The Glenbrook North Varsity Girls’ Soccer Team recently paired up with 60 soccer players from Jahn and Goethe to run through a variety of skill based soccer stations. Goethe and Jahn soccer players all had the opportunity to polish up their dribbling, shooting and passing skills with the help of the Glenbrook North soccer players.

  • Play With Potential Hosts Race Day At Otis

    On Tuesday May 21st Play with Potential hosted Race Day at James Otis World Language Academy. Students in grades K through 8 showed off their physical fitness and jogged around the school in order to raise money for their world language program.

  • UI Kid Spotlight: Samya from Sherman

    As Week 3 of the Urban Initiatives spring season just finished, it is absolutely fitting and necessary to highlight 2nd grade Sherman soccer player Samya Ray. Who is Samya Ray, you might ask, and why is she so special? Well, Week 3 of the Urban Initiatives soccer season is the Responsibility and Commitment Week, and…

  • UI Kids Cheer On College Soccer Players At Chicago Cup

    On Sunday, April 21st Northwestern hosted Loyola, DePaul and UIC for the annual and always thrilling Chicago Cup. The college coaches invited the Urban Initiatives soccer teams from Jenner, Gunsaulus, Greene and Tarkington to not just watch the exciting matches but to partake in a pre-game World Cup Walk and halftime soccer skills drills with…

  • UI Volunteers Catie and Ashley

    Ever wonder what it’s like to volunteer with Urban Initiatives? Well, UI Junior Board members and volunteers Catie and Ashley share their experience with you during their time with the Jahn team. Catie and Ashley joined the UI and Jahn team this past Fall and continue to attend practices as regularly as the Jahn players…

  • Mentor Coach Stars Visit Chicago Bulls All Stars

    Urban Initiatives Mentor Coaches Xzavier, N’Dia, Shamar, Travis, Joel and Chevaughn all experienced their first Bulls game at the United Center this season. These Mentor Coaches were chosen because of their commitment to the Work to Play teams at their school as they focused on their studies. Read below about the great time each Mentor…

  • U.S. Surgeon General Plays With Potential

    The Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Regina Benjamin paid a visit to Nathanael Greene Elementary to learn about all the healthy things Principal Heidkamp has going on at his school.