When Luis Hernandez first joined Urban Initiatives (UI) as a third grader at James Otis Elementary School, he didn’t have many friends. Moving between schools had made it hard to find his place, but soccer always helped him connect. “Soccer has always been something that would bring me friends. And when I found out about Urban Initiatives, I really wanted to do this program,” Luis recalls.
At first, he joined UI just to play soccer. But over the years, he discovered that the program was much more than the game.
“I didn’t realize that. I was like, ‘Okay, this is a lot more than just soccer. This is about leading.’ Eventually I did become a team captain. And it was kind of cool to be going on those field trips, meeting kids from other schools.”
Mentorship was also a cornerstone of Luis’s experience. He remembers his coach, Mr. Sifuentes, who became a guiding figure both on and off the field. “He really impacted my life when it came to making those connections coming in as a new kid. He just brought me in and… it was just a really nice experience throughout it.”
Through UI, Luis formed lasting friendships.
He tells the story of meeting Julian, another transfer student, during the program: “I wouldn’t have met Julian or I wouldn’t have talked to Julian unless we both did Urban Initiatives. And I’ve stuck with Julian my whole life. I’m still friends with him to this day.” These connections even opened doors to soccer opportunities outside UI, including teams like the Chicago Fire and the San Antonio Raiders.
Being a team captain taught Luis leadership and responsibility, especially when challenges arose. “I cared more about the actual soccer than the actual leading of the practices or the warm up… He [Mr. Sifuentes]” kind of made me go down memory lane… That kind of just gave me that little kick in me that I need to take this more seriously… I also need to lead by example to these kids and show them Urban Initiatives is more than just soccer.”
Last summer, while a college student, Luis returned to UI as an Assistant summer camp coach through the One Summer Chicago youth employment program and he also worked as a counselor at the overnight summer camp, Camp Manitowa, where he helped lead and mentor UI middle school captains. “It was a really fun experience, and I enjoyed being able to give back and pay it forward – just like others had done for me when I was a kid.” He navigated challenges like unstructured programming, but focused on ensuring the kids had a positive experience: “As long as the kids were having fun and they were happy.”
Reflecting on why these programs matter for young people today, Luis points to the importance of connection.
“Everything’s just so technology based… Urban Initiatives gives them the opportunity to meet other children not only within your school but also outside of school with all the field trips that you guys do. That’s something really important to make connections early on.”
Field trips and events like the Community Play Cup provided opportunities for cultural exchange and growth. “It kind of gave me that cultural connection to other races besides my community… and obviously they didn’t cost us anything as well… It was just a really fun experience.”
Looking back, the skills Luis developed through UI continue to shape his life. “I think patience is one of the main things that has really grown for me… Public speaking overall, that’s for sure improved. I was kind of an anxious kid growing up too.”
Today, Luis is a sophomore at Northwestern University, majoring in Economics with a minor in Business Institutions. He’s passionate about teaching and giving back to youth through tutoring, community service, and mentoring. Reflecting on why someone should support UI, he says: “It’s a future investment to put into these children… that money will go to a good cause… to give them a space where they’re not on the street and doing anything like that they shouldn’t be doing. It gives them that space to do something that’s fun and just entertaining for them.”
Luis’s journey illustrates how Urban Initiatives builds more than just athletes – it builds leaders, mentors, and lifelong connections.
From a shy third grader to a confident college student, UI helped him grow into a leader who now gives back and pays it forward for the next generation of young people.
