News

  • 2015 Multicultural Cup

      Join Urban Initiatives for the Multicultural Cup at Haas Park in Logan Square. Over 90 Work to Play soccer players and their families will come together to kick-off the new school year with some soccer and cultural learning. After the fun we will all sit together and enjoy some delicious cuisine from around the…

    2015 Multicultural Cup
  • United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Commits to UI Kids

    Urban Initiatives is incredibly excited to announce our new partnership with the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. They have generously committed two years of funding—totaling nearly $75,000 in total—to support Work to Play and Play with Potential in the communities of Auburn Gresham, Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, East Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, New City, and…

    United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Commits to UI Kids
  • #PlayEveryDay

    Urban Initiatives once again partnered with Chicago Cubs Charities, running its third year of sports summer camps at four schools in Chicago: Jahn Elementary in Hamlin Park, Beidler Elementary in East Garfield Park, National Teachers Academy in South Loop, and Lloyd Elementary in Belmont-Cragin. Once a week, the Cubs on the Move Fitness Trolley visits each of…

    #PlayEveryDay
  • Meet Savannah

    Each year Urban Initiatives expands its sports based youth development programming into new schools and communities across Chicago. The number of kids we serve grows every year and that growth leads to exciting opportunities and additions to the Urban Initiatives team. From Operations to Programming, our new team members will help Urban Initiatives continue to…

  • UI Partner LTS Chicago’s Late Summer Leagues

    Live to Support Chicago (LTS) is Chicago’s ONLY charity driven sports league! LTS was founded on the notion that young professionals are the key platform to raise awareness in support of Chicago charities through the use of sports. Join a sports league to raise awareness for YOUR charity of choice- What do YOU play for!?…

    UI Partner LTS Chicago’s Late Summer Leagues
  • Sky Ranch Foundation Grants Take the Lead $25,000

    Urban Initiatives is thrilled to announce that the Sky Ranch Foundation™ has signed on as the inaugural funder of our newest program, Take the Lead. The Sky Ranch Foundation™ has granted us $25,000 to support all program expenses. As the Take the Lead program continues to grow and develop, this grant will be instrumental in…

    Sky Ranch Foundation Grants Take the Lead $25,000
  • The Corporate Challenge Cup – Lots of Soccer and Friendly Competition

    On Saturday, July 11 Urban Initiatives hosted our Inaugural Corporate Challenge Cup in Humboldt Park. Over 200 professionals came out to play in our 7v7 tournament. Players came from across the city and suburbs, and in total, 16 Chicago companies were represented: 1871, AbelsonTaylor, Allstate, CBRE, Citadel, Groupon, grubHub, JLL, Kirkland & Ellis, KPMG, Kraft, Macquarie,…

  • We Appreciate YOU!

    The end of the school year meant the end of yet another successful year of Urban Initiatives programming. The Work to Play program saw over 1,000 kids from 35 Chicago Public Schools across the city come together for weekly health and character lessons while using the beautiful game of soccer to grow an appreciation for…

    We Appreciate YOU!
  • And the Golden Globe goes to…

    Yearly, Urban Initiatives’ partner school Gunsaulus Scholastic Academy hosts a Golden Globe event to show appreciation to their staff and recognize them in creative and meaningful ways. GSA staff vote for each other to receive these special awards, which include recognitions like Most Likely to Win a Rap Battle or Best Healthy School Partner.  It…

    And the Golden Globe goes to…
  • June Team Captains of the Month

    June’s Take the Lead Team Captains of the Month are all 150 of them! We wanted to recognize all of our dedicated Team Captains and thank them for choosing to be leaders in their school and communities. Over the course of this school year, 150 Team Captains from 24 Chicago Public Schools in 19 distinct…

    June Team Captains of the Month