This blog honors the J.R. Albert Foundation as a cornerstone partner whose early, unrestricted support and long-term trust helped transform Urban Initiatives from its earliest chapters into a citywide force for Chicago’s youth.
Through a transformative visit to Mesirow Financial, Zapata Academy’s Urban Initiatives team demonstrated how professional exposure and meaningful mentorship build the social capital necessary for students to envision and achieve their brightest futures.
This blog encourages people to use simple, festive games like The Winter Wonder Guess, Holiday Two Truths and a Lie, and Snowball Toss Challenge as icebreakers to find calm, connect with others, and relieve stress during the busy holiday season.
Urban Initiatives’ Town Hall emphasized that the organization sustains its impact on over 100,000 students through strong relationships, community building, and consistency across its programs, coaches, and alumni.
New research shows that universal, long-term SEL programs boost grades, test scores, and engagement, reinforcing that Urban Initiatives’ emphasis on connection and belonging directly strengthens students’ academic success.
Urban Initiatives’ trainings show adults how small, caring practices can transform classrooms and communities, creating a ripple of connection, confidence, and joy throughout Chicago.
Urban Initiatives’ relationship-centered approach to sport and play reflects a newly validated national framework showing that community well-being and lasting systems change grow from strong, trust-based connections among youth, families, schools, and neighborhoods.
Urban Initiatives, in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, intends to apply for the FY26 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant to expand academic enrichment and family engagement programming at eight CPS elementary schools where UI already provides out-of-school time support.
Urban Initiatives proudly celebrates Andy Neilsen’s induction into the Sport for Good Chicago Hall of Fame, honoring his decades of compassionate leadership, coaching, and unwavering dedication to using sport as a force for inclusion, empowerment, and community transformation across Chicago.
Urban Initiatives joined 140 community leaders at the Laureus Sport for Good Chicago Town Hall to strengthen collaboration and empower Chicago’s youth through sport and play.
On October 25, 2025, 100 middle school students came together at Urban Initiatives’ Leadership Retreat to build teamwork, connect across neighborhoods, and explore creativity through museum activities and sports.
Urban Initiatives’ Connection Cup brought together students and families from schools across Chicago to build unity and community through the power of sport and play.
