News

  • MAXIMUS Foundation Grants Work to Play $2,000

    The MAXIMUS Foundation continues its tradition of giving with a first-ever donation to Urban Initiatives in the amount of $2,000. The grant was made to support our flagship Work to Play program and will help us both sustain our high-quality programming at current partner schools as well as expand programming into more schools across Chicago.…

    MAXIMUS Foundation Grants Work to Play $2,000
  • Urban Initiatives’ 9th Annual Soccer Ball!

    Buy your tickets now! Join us for Urban Initiatives’ 9th Annual Soccer Ball Benefit Friday, January 23, 2015 Morgan Manufacturing, 401 North Morgan Street 7:00 – 11:00 pm Enjoy food stations, drinks, dancing, and auction all to benefit Urban Initiatives’ sports-based youth development programs. Buy your tickets now!  

    Urban Initiatives’ 9th Annual Soccer Ball!
  • OSPD Spotlight: Coach Berger from Reavis

    In the Fall of 2009, Coach Berger stepped onto the field to coach his very first Reavis Work to Play practice. Five years later, the same commitment and passion drives him to open up his gym doors at 7am three days a week, 24 weeks a year in order to welcome the Reavis students to…

    OSPD Spotlight: Coach Berger from Reavis
  • UI Invades Cambridge, Wisconsin

    The Urban Initiatives team traveled up north to Cambridge, Wisconsin for a little mid-season team bonding. What has now become a tradition at Urban Initiatives, the staff retreat is a time for everyone to step back, recharge and build stronger relationships with each other. The day kicked off with a healthy breakfast of yogurt and…

    UI Invades Cambridge, Wisconsin
  • Training Day: 3 Events Make the Most of a Day Off for Students

    Every so often during the year, CPS schools have a day off for students so that teachers and staff can take advantage of meaningful professional development opportunities. Even without kids around, Play with Potential staff found a way to get better at recess on November 7’s School Improvement Day, this time by hosting three trainings…

  • Team Captains Learn What it Takes to be a Loyola Rambler

    “I’m in heaven 2.0 right now”, said Alex Flores; “Loyola moved up to the top of the list for colleges I want to go to”, added Diego Martinez. This seemed to be the common sentiment of the day as Loyola University hosted our team captains for the second Take the Lead Retreat of the year.…

    Team Captains Learn What it Takes to be a Loyola Rambler
  • Skender Foundation Raises $25k for Urban Initiatives

    On October 16, Skender’s Harvesting Hope benefit took place at Rockit Bar & Grill, and Urban Initiatives was the chosen beneficiary. The event was a blast! It was filled with great people who were eager to support and learn more about our cause.  In total, the Skender Foundation raised an impressive $25,000 in support of our sports-based…

    Skender Foundation Raises $25k for Urban Initiatives
  • Save the Date! 9th Annual Soccer Ball

    Join Urban Initiatives on Friday, January 23rd at the 9th Annual Soccer Ball at Morgan Manufacturing, located at 401 N. Morgan St., for a night of philanthropy, dancing, cocktails, heavy appetizers and a fantastic silent auction. Each year since its inception, the wildly popular Soccer Ball has sold out. This year, the event is expected…

    Save the Date! 9th Annual Soccer Ball
  • Halloween Bash 2014!

    Even though it was a cold and blustery evening, that couldn’t keep the faithful Urban Initiatives supporters away from the 12th Annual Halloween Party! This year, over 330 tickets were sold in advance of the festivities. With a new venue, 1st Ward at Chop Shop, and DJ della Chapelle throwing down the beats, people were…

    Halloween Bash 2014!
  • Lawndale Hits the Football Field

    This past Saturday, the Lawndale Work to Play team was invited to partake in a Flag Football clinic put on by the Menomonee Club of Chicago at Beautiful Waveland Park. The kids from Lawndale were uncontrollably excited on the way to the field knowing that they would be playing a different kind of football. The…

    Lawndale Hits the Football Field