High school volunteers from UI’s Student Board helped out at this year’s Fall Big Kid Recess with WTP teams Lawndale and Lloyd. Brady Reichert, UI Student Board Executive Committee member and Junior at Loyola Academy, shares some highlights from the day, and that you’re never too old to learn and play!
On Friday, October 13th, Urban Initiatives partnered with the Wilmette Wings for the 17th Crosstown Classic. Team Goudy (Uptown), Howe (Austin), Nobel (Humboldt Park), North River (Ravenswood Manor) and Jahn (Roscoe Village) traveled to Wilmette for a day full of soccer, family fun and pizza. Mixed in with the participants from Urban Initiatives were 60+…
On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, Urban Initiatives launched their rebrand and new logo. As Urban Initiatives developed their new look, they wanted to create a visual representation of unity. Participants, families, schools, supporters, and staff are representative of the diversity that makes Chicago strong. Each stakeholder on their team is critical, and only with all…
The Urban Initiatives Associate Board invites you to the 15th Anniversary Halloween Bash! Wear your most ghoulish and stylish costumes and join us for a night of dancing to the sounds of DJ Emilio, costume contest and bar package!
Urban Initiatives is thrilled to announce that for the second year in a row, Optiver will be supporting our Work to Play program at National Teachers Academy (NTA). This year, Optiver increased their support of NTA by sponsoring UI’s Take the Lead program at the school as well. Although this generous support is incredibly admirable…
Team Urban Initiatives welcomes you to join their 2018 marathon team, and make the most of your 26.2 mile experience. Team members will raise funds in support of UI programming, and serve as positive role models for the children we work with by promoting the rewards of physical fitness, personal commitment, and hard work.
On Tuesday, September 12th Spark Foundry partnered with UI schools Jahn, Nixon and Piccolo to host their first ever community impact day! Led by UI’s Associate Board Co-Vice President, Ashley Dobbins, this day focused on “Empowering Chicago’s Youth.” Just under 90 Spark employees dedicated their morning to renovating resource rooms, painting recess courts, and engaging…
Throughout the last school year, Urban Initiatives has grown by expanding our programs and solidifying our continuum of programming that supports our students from elementary school, to middle school and high school, and beyond. Our evaluation team has analyzed the data and results from Work to Play and Take the Lead are in! We are…
For Urban Initiatives and kids all across Chicago, September is back-to-school month! On September 1, Urban Initiatives students got on the school bus early for a back-to-school shopping spree made possible by the support of Target, one of UI’s key partners.
Urban Initiative’s recess program Play with Potential aims to change this by providing structured recess replete with opportunities for social-emotional learning and play. Our evaluation team has recently finished analyzing the data to learn the impact of the Play with Potential program throughout the 2016-2017 school year.
Urban Initiatives is thrilled to announce the renewal of our partnership with The Sky Ranch Foundation! In 2015, Sky Ranch Foundation was the very first supporter of Take the Lead — our 5th–8th grade leadership development program — funding the first formal implementation of the program. We are so grateful to have their continued support…