On October 16th, Urban Initiatives had the privilege of participating in the Laureus Sport for Good Chicago Town Hall at Austin Town Hall Park. It was an energizing morning spent in community with 140 leaders who share our commitment to supporting young people through sport and play. The coalition embodies Urban Initiatives’ vision: to strengthen Chicago’s future by building an enduring team of youth, families, schools, and communities.
Being in a space with so many dedicated individuals – leaders from across the city, all deeply focused on the mission – was truly inspiring. Together, we considered what it means to be part of a winning team: not just for the youth we serve, but for our communities and for the city of Chicago as a whole.
The Town Hall provided an invaluable opportunity to hear coalition updates, connect with fellow organizations, and engage in small-group discussions on the key topics that drive our collective impact. These conversations highlighted both the challenges we face as a city and the creative, collaborative solutions we are building together.
As Ben Schornack, Director of Laureus Sport for Good Chicago, notes in this video,
“If we create a Chicago where every sports program is working together instead of against each other… that’s how we win the city.”
When organizations unite around a shared purpose, the benefits extend far beyond any single program – strengthening networks, amplifying impact, and ultimately helping the city win as a whole.
For Urban Initiatives, the Fall Town Hall was a reminder of the power of collaboration. When passionate organizations come together with a unified purpose, we create opportunities that extend far beyond any single program or initiative.
The energy, focus, and dedication in the room reinforced why we do this work, and reminded us that our collective efforts truly make a difference.
We are grateful to Sport for Good Chicago and all coalition partners for creating this space for dialogue, learning, and shared vision. Together, we’re building stronger communities and brighter futures for Chicago’s youth, one team, one game, and one city at a time.
