In a city as big and diverse as Chicago, it’s easy for neighborhoods to feel far apart. Different schools, different blocks, different experiences – sometimes it seems like we live in many Chicagos instead of one. That’s where Urban Initiatives steps in. As a nonprofit dedicated to building community through sport and play, Urban Initiatives serves as the driving force that helps young people, families, and schools connect across divides.
By creating intentional spaces for play – whether on the soccer field, in after-school programs, or at citywide events – we help turn moments of fun into lasting bonds that strengthen our city.
When students gather on a field or playground, the usual barriers begin to fade. Differences in language, background, or neighborhood don’t matter as much when you’re passing a soccer ball, cheering for a teammate, or laughing through a new game. Through shared experiences of play, young people build friendships that cross school lines and neighborhood borders
Parents and families get to meet each other, cheer together, and see firsthand how much stronger our city becomes when connections are made.
h UI, Luis formed lasting friendships.
Events like the Connection Cup – where more than 100 students and 100 parents from schools across the city came together this September – are living proof. Students from Harold Washington, Pullman, Saucedo, Morton, Jensen, Claremont, Reavis, and Clay schools didn’t just play soccer; they built relationships, learned about different cultures, and discovered how much they have in common. None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our partners.
A special thank-you goes to our Associate Board for volunteering, Open Kitchens for providing lunches for every participant, as well as to Antares Capital and the Chicago Park District for making this celebration of play and connection possible.
Sport and play have a unique way of building unity, joy, and belonging. They provide moments where kids feel supported, families feel connected, and entire communities feel stronger. In a time when it can be easy to feel divided, these moments remind us that Chicago is at its best when we come together – and sometimes, all it takes is a ball, a game, and a little bit of play.
