On AUGUst 18th, ui’s two newest schools, Pasteur and lloyd got off tO A great start with a trip to Toyota Park for their very first Chicago Fire soCcer game! ThESe schools were added to the prograM as a result of the chicago fire foundation’s biggesT grant ever. Inspired by Section 8, the fire’s official…
Urban Initiatives wishes to congratulate long-time supporter FC Barcelona on their historic partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to completely eradicate polio! Bill Gates wrote in a recent post announcing the partnership, We hope that together we can bring more global attention to the promise of lifesaving vaccines and the fight to end…
On July 23rd, 150 Urban Initiatives participants attended an unforgettable match between the Chicago Fire and Manchester United at Soldier Field. These tickets were generously donated by the Chicago Fire Foundation and allowed teams from four UI schools to attend – those schools were Prieto Academy, Claremont Academy, Tarkington School and Daley Academy.
On Saturday July 23rd, thirty-five Urban Initiatives participants from Prieto Academy took part in a soccer clinic put on by the world-renowned Manchester United Soccer Schools.
Urban Initiatives teams from four South Side schools ended their 2010-2011 soccer season by making fun educational trips to community gardens and farmers’ markets in their communities. The kids had a blast learning about, tasting, and purchasing healthy foods that were both locally grown and affordable. Many parents, grandparents, and siblings also came along…
The Chicago Fire Foundation recently donated 450 tickets to the Wednesday June 22nd Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake game at 7:30pm at TOYOTA PARK to allow us to share the Chicago Fire experience with participants in our health and education soccer program.
A big congratulations to Christian Gordon and Willie Mae Brooks, two Urban Initiatives soccer players at Sherman School of Excellence, who took 1st and 2nd place respectively at their school-wide poetry contest! The following is an excerpt from Christian’s poem, which speaks about economic struggle: Unemployment is like playing soccer and you just want to…
Urban Initiatives was fortunate to have been asked to run a soccer-based health activity for kids at Mayor Emanuel’s community celebration on May 14th in Grant Park. It was a great opportunity for Urban Initiatives to connect with members of the community and supporters of our new Mayor. The highlight of the day was when…
On Monday, May 9th, Urban Initiatives’ Founders Jim Dower and Dan Isherwood were invited to Mayor Daley’s farewell open house. They attended the event and appreciated the opportunity to give thanks and bid goodbye to a man who has been a supporter of education and soccer-based youth development initiatives in the City of Chicago. From…
When Urban Initiatives started the Work to Play Program at Tarkington we were confident that our program would be a great fit in the West Lawn neighborhood. No one predicted, however, how popular the program would be and how quickly it would impact the Tarkington community. Currently we are serving 48 committed students at Tarkington…
On a recent field trip with the Attucks soccer team, Urban Initiatives’ staff had an opportunity to chat with parents and hear their feedback on the Work to Play Program. Urban Initiatives thanks the parents for their input as well as for participating in the field trip. Committed parents are critical in raising committed youth!…