Category Archive

UI in Action

  • 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.

  • Pasteur’s Healthy Lunch for a Healthier Me! Art Contest

    Students in 4th, 5th and 6th grade across the country and at CPS’s Louis Pasteur Elementary School had a chance to learn about healthy eating and artistically express what a healthy school lunch means to them through the Healthy Lunch for a Healthier Me! art contest sponsored by the school’s meal provider, Preferred Meal Systems.

  • Mentor Coaches Score Through Service

    While the majority of Chicago’s middle school students were wondering what to do with their spring break, Urban Initiatives’ 5th-8th grade Mentor Coaches knew exactly where to be to have tons of fun playing soccer, meeting new friends, and creatively developing ways to help their communities! On Tuesday, March 26th, Urban Initiatives partnered with University…

  • Five Food Groups Come To Tarkington’s Art Class

    In an effort to create awareness about health initiatives across all subject areas, Tarkington’s art teacher Vanessa Hoff teamed up with Coach Noah to deliver health lessons on the Five Food Groups through art. Students identified their favorites from each of the 5 Food Groups and created posters to showcase their creativity around the entire…

  • Tarkington Rolls With The Double Crossers At The Derby

    Many of Tarkington School’s soccer players had never seen a roller derby bout however they arrived with their parents and coaches last Saturday evening at UIC’s pavilion to watch the Double Crossers face Hell’s Belles. Many of the Double Crosser’s skaters had already volunteered at Tarkington’s game day the previous afternoon at the Chicago Indoor…

  • Greene School: Promoting Leadership at Recess

    Urban Initiatives is still pretty new at running recess, but we’re coming up with some great stuff thanks to our great partner schools and the full-time coordinators that we’ve placed there. From teaching nutrition lessons to giving quick activity breaks in classes to making sure kids get the most fun and physical activity out of…

  • Mentor Coaches Love Soccer And School

    Urban Initiatives’ Mentor Coaches once again demonstrated their inspiring commitment and passion as they showed up in full force ready to laugh, learn, and lead. On Saturday, January 12th, the second-ever Urban Initiatives Mentor Coach Retreat kicked off at DePaul University. The DePaul Center for Access and Attainment generously donated their beautiful space to host…

  • A Magical Night of Lights with Otis and UI’s Junior Board!

    Urban Initiatives Junior Board member Marley Bellwood writes about her experience with the Otis team at Zoo Lights! On Friday, December 14th, the UI Junior Board had a field trip planned with Otis School to tour the lights at Lincoln Park Zoo. Junior Board members gathered at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, awaiting the kids’ arrival.…

  • Claremont, Daley, and the UI Junior Board: The Perfect Team!

    On the evening of Friday, November 16th, Urban Initiatives can guarantee that no one in Chicago was having more fun than the Work to Play soccer players of Claremont and Daley Elementary Schools as they teamed up with 20 Urban Initiatives Junior Board Members and Board Member Neil Hirshman for an exciting pizza party unlike…