Students in 4th, 5th and 6th grade across the country and at CPS’s Louis Pasteur Elementary School had a chance to learn about healthy eating and artistically express what a healthy school lunch means to them through the Healthy Lunch for a Healthier Me! art contest sponsored by the school’s meal provider, Preferred Meal Systems.
While the majority of Chicago’s middle school students were wondering what to do with their spring break, Urban Initiatives’ 5th-8th grade Mentor Coaches knew exactly where to be to have tons of fun playing soccer, meeting new friends, and creatively developing ways to help their communities! On Tuesday, March 26th, Urban Initiatives partnered with University…
The Urban Initiatives team has a habit of snacking pretty heavily throughout the day when they are not at schools or running errands. While it is easy to seek out junk food in times of hunger the team has enjoyed a healthier option. Mike Draper, a friend of Urban Initiatives has been providing the team…
Last Friday at the Windy City Fieldhouse, Work to Play soccer players from Howe and Nobel were surprised and thrilled when they showed up and found their new teammates, the enthusiastic volunteers from Kirkland and Ellis LLP! It always means so much to our young student athletes when they get to interact with Chicago adults…
As Otis, Sherman and PECS entered Chicago Indoor Sports they were greeted by a group a great volunteers from Bank of America during Week 7’s Friday Game Day. Bank of America volunteers began with introductions and explained a little bit about what they do with their company. Otis players followed by introducing themselves and what…
In an effort to create awareness about health initiatives across all subject areas, Tarkington’s art teacher Vanessa Hoff teamed up with Coach Noah to deliver health lessons on the Five Food Groups through art. Students identified their favorites from each of the 5 Food Groups and created posters to showcase their creativity around the entire…
Many of Tarkington School’s soccer players had never seen a roller derby bout however they arrived with their parents and coaches last Saturday evening at UIC’s pavilion to watch the Double Crossers face Hell’s Belles. Many of the Double Crosser’s skaters had already volunteered at Tarkington’s game day the previous afternoon at the Chicago Indoor…
By CharliE otto Charlie otto is an urban initiatives rock star in more ways than one. The front man for this must be the band, a talking heads tribute band, not only buRned dowN the house this past summer when he played a live show to Raise fuNds for Urban initiatives, he also took time…
Urban Initiatives is still pretty new at running recess, but we’re coming up with some great stuff thanks to our great partner schools and the full-time coordinators that we’ve placed there. From teaching nutrition lessons to giving quick activity breaks in classes to making sure kids get the most fun and physical activity out of…
Urban Initiatives’ 7th annual Soccer Ball was by far our most successful fundraiser to date! We are incredibly grateful to the over 800 dedicated fans who came out to celebrate our work, raise funds, and support our mission. Our team was blown away by the energy in the room and the clear commitment to giving…
The U.S. Soccer Foundation has awarded a grant to Urban Initiatives in the amount of $12,400 to help provide the proper soccer equipment needed to sucessfully operate the Work to Play Program. This grant will help UI purchase cones, pennies, first aid kits, whistles and other great soccer equipment that will help UI kids feel…