News

  • Second Annual Work to Play Cup

    Way back in the middle of winter, Urban Initiatives’ team set their minds on the end of May, where warmer weather would bring everyone’s favorite event of the year, the Second Annual Work to Play Cup. The event was a huge success, and it could not have been possible without the support of all the…

    Second Annual Work to Play Cup
  • The Cubs Can’t Wait for Summer Camp!

    This year, the Cubs on the Move Fitness Trolley just couldn’t wait until July to start getting kids active! Teamed up for a second year with Urban Initiatives, the Fitness Trolley traveled to 4 Chicago public schools for “Preseason Training Camp,” so that kids and Cubs could get ready for summer. Urban Initiatives hosted  weekly…

    The Cubs Can’t Wait for Summer Camp!
  • Fundraising is Fun at Claremont!

    The student-athletes of the NCAA basketball teams were not the only ones in the spotlight of March Madness. Students at Claremont Academy took a different spin on the annual basketball tournament that captivates avid basketball fans for an entire month. Thanks to Urban Initiatives and a grant funded by the Chicago Consortium to Lower Obesity…

    Fundraising is Fun at Claremont!
  • Parents Share Recipes at 1st “Healthy Junta”

    Food is great way to bring families and communities together.  Urban Initiatives partnered with Healthy Schools Campaign to have our first Healthy Junta cook-off hosted at Little Village Academy.  Parents from Daley, Gunsaulus, McCormick, and LVA each brought dishes that are healthy, delicious, and representative of their culture. Each school had a guest judge, and Guillermo Gomez…

    Parents Share Recipes at 1st “Healthy Junta”
  • Get to know Patty!

    When patty joined the team as a program associate in august 2013, she was excited to be working with students with similar backgrounds to her own. Patty grew up in an inner city, which has allowed her to relAte to the kids in the program.

    Get to know Patty!
  • Get to know Kevin!

    Kevin was a head soccer coach at a high school prior to moving to Chicago. He also spent six years working at a mental health center where he saw kids go through tough situations. These experiences have helped Kevin in his role as a Program Associate.

    Get to know Kevin!
  • Get to know Jeff!

    After leaving the peace Corps, jeff found the perfect job- being a program associate at urban initiatives! he joined the team in August 2013 and is currently overseeing the work to Play program at Lloyd, MarqUette, mcnair, Nobel, Providence englewood charter School, And Tarkington.

    Get to know Jeff!
  • Get to know Adam!

    Adam started with urban Initiatives in august 2013 as a program associate. coach bear currently helps facilitate the work to Play program at attucks, claremont, kozminski, libby, reavis and Sherman.

    Get to know Adam!
  • Hey Morton, What Do Ya Say…

    Many kids and parents from the morton School of Excellence Work to play team experienced their first ever chicago cubs game last wednesday when the cubs took the field against the pittsburgh pirates.

    Hey Morton, What Do Ya Say…
  • Kozminski Hosts First Ever Friday Game Day in Hyde Park

    As Week 2 of the spring Work to play season began, a countdown to friday, april 11th started as well. It was a special occasion, as kozminski, a new work to Play school would host its first ever friday Game Day. this was also the first ever urban Initiatives Friday game Day in hyde park…

    Kozminski Hosts First Ever Friday Game Day in Hyde Park