News

  • Paula Harrison Armstrong “Lead Strong” Endowment

    At the 10th Anniversary Soccer Ball, Urban Initiatives announced the creation of the Paula Harrison Armstrong “Lead Strong” Endowment. This endowment will honor the legacy of Paula Armstrong who was a fundamental member of the Urban Initiatives family and passed away in 2014.  Paula was a tireless advocate for the children in our programs, and her enthusiasm…

    Paula Harrison Armstrong “Lead Strong” Endowment
  • 2nd Annual Corporate Challenge Cup

    Urban Initiatives invites you to a a soccer tournament featuring friendly competition, team building, and representatives from over 20 Chicagoland companies – the 2nd Annual Corporate Challenge Cup. On Saturday, July 16, 2016 – in support of the 15,000 Chicago Public School students in Urban Initiatives’ programs – over 150 Chicago professionals will gather at…

    2nd Annual Corporate Challenge Cup
  • Restorative Justice at Davis Elementary

    As you walk through the halls of Davis Elementary, you’ll notice a few things. The students stand up a little bit straighter, the halls are a little bit quieter, and the staff…they are an impenetrable wall of firm but friendly faces. The Brighton Park school is indeed changing; and that, in part, is due to…

    Restorative Justice at Davis Elementary
  • Team Captains Take Advantage of Time

    Take the Lead’s third retreat, focused on task persistence and time management was really something to see. The key to this retreat, was to prepare our team captains for High School. High School is on all of our Team Captain’s minds, so for them to be able to see Morgan Park High School and everything…

    Team Captains Take Advantage of Time
  • The 10th Anniversary Soccer Ball Presented by Allstate

    The 10th Anniversary Soccer Ball took place Friday, January 29, 2016 at Morgan Manufacturing where 1,100 guests came out to enjoy dancing, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres all in support of Urban Initiatives . The night raised $600,000 through event sponsorships, ticket sales, silent auction, and a Paddle Raise, which will help with the expansion of UI…

    The 10th Anniversary Soccer Ball Presented by Allstate
  • No Off-Season for Team Captains

    It may be the Work to Play off-season, but for the Take the Lead Team Captains there is no off-season. Every month of the school year (9 in total), including these two off-months in between the Fall and Spring Work to Play seasons, Captains meet with UI coaches to focus on leadership topics such as:…

    No Off-Season for Team Captains
  • Recognizing Young Mentors

    Take the Lead Program Manager Preethi Varma shares her views on Team Captains playing an important role during National Mentoring Month. National Mentoring Month, every January, is a time to not only commemorate the great work adult mentors at Urban Initiatives or around the U.S. undertake, but also to recognize the power of consistent and…

    Recognizing Young Mentors
  • PwC Takes the Field – TWICE!

    Urban Initiatives is fortunate to count lots of amazing companies as Corporate Coaching partners for our fall season, but PwC takes the award for most volunteers and for coming out to play twice over the past twelve weeks. On October 23, nine volunteers met the teams from Gunsaulus Academy, Greene Elementary, and Walsh Elementary at…

    PwC Takes the Field – TWICE!
  • DayNine Consulting Volunteers on Day Eleven of December

    For the last game day of the fall season, Urban Initiatives welcomed a team of Corporate Coaches from DayNine Consulting at Chicago Indoor Sports. The volunteers spent the afternoon working with teams of seven Urban Initiatives soccer players from Providence Englewood Charter School, Tarkington Elementary, Marquette Elementary, and Lee Elementary. After getting loosened up with…

    DayNine Consulting Volunteers on Day Eleven of December
  • Kirkland & Ellis Brings Some Law and Order to Game Day

    On Friday, December 4th, a team of Kirkland & Ellis volunteers spent the afternoon coaching 90 second to fourth grade students from Urban Initiatives’ Work to Play program. The volunteers led small teams of students from Jordan Elementary (Rogers Park), Faraday Elementary (East Garfield Park), and Bateman Elementary (Irving Park) through friendly soccer games against each other.…

    Kirkland & Ellis Brings Some Law and Order to Game Day