News

Urban Initiatives’ Coach Apprenticeship Program is building a local leadership pipeline in North Lawndale, with 40% of participants transitioning into new jobs or education within three months of completing this “learn-and-earn” sports mentorship.

We are thrilled to announce that Urban Initiatives has been selected as a Young Futures Innovator (YF Innovator) and grant recipient of the Oops!… AI Did It Again Challenge!

Urban Initiatives celebrated five years of health and community with Faces of Fitness by bringing a high-energy cardio boxing clinic to Jensen Jaguars students, giving 3rd–5th graders a powerful first experience in movement, rhythm, and the confidence that comes from mastering a new challenge.

Chicago civic leaders, researchers, and athletes gathered at the Cubs Executive Offices to champion the idea that universal access to play and consistent adult mentorship are essential forms of civic infrastructure that build the mental health, resilience, and life skills necessary for a thriving city.

Urban Initiatives serves as a Lead Partner for 11 Chicago Public Schools, transforming campuses into vibrant year-round hubs where student-led enrichment and a deep sense of belonging keep 99% of participants feeling included and engaged through the winter months.

Urban Initiatives transforms the “indoor recess scramble” into a high-impact season of play by using proactive game plans, age-appropriate curriculum “remixes,” and deep integration with school staff to ensure Chicago students stay active and connected all winter long.

Drawing on insights from Gerald Zaltman’s Dare to Think Differently, this post explores how “serious play” acts as essential developmental infrastructure, helping Chicago’s youth build the cognitive flexibility, resilience, and decision-making skills needed to navigate life far beyond the field.

Urban Initiatives’ Adult Learning service line uses 20 years of research-based play to equip thousands of caregivers and educators with trauma-informed strategies, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate as participants learn to manage their own well-being while supporting the 70,000 youth they serve.

A $1,750 grant from the MDRT Foundation is supporting Urban Initiatives’ citywide suite of play-based social-emotional learning programs, providing students with essential outlets to relieve stress, build life skills, and strengthen connections with peers and caring adults.

Urban Initiatives is serving as a critical protective factor for 100,000 students by driving attendance through joyful engagement, achieving early fundraising milestones, and scaling impact through staff-led recess models and national award-winning innovation.

After 15 years with UI, Cesar Hernandez has come full circle from student to coach, using the “Five Finger Values” and quiet mentorship to inspire the next generation of Chicago leaders.