News

  • Junior Board Bus Campaign Kickoff

    For the past two years Urban Initiatives’ Junior Board has spent the month of May engaging in a little team building, a lot of friendly competition, and a huge amount of fundraising. We’re only two weeks away from May 1, and that means just one thing: the Third Annual Junior Board Bus Campaign is here!…

    Junior Board Bus Campaign Kickoff
  • Meet our 100th Junior Board Member, Isabel!

    The Urban Initiatives Junior Board is comprised of young professionals who volunteer their time and efforts to the thousands of kids UI serves across Chicago. Here is a short interview with our newest Junior Board member, Isabel. UI: Why did you decide to get involved with Urban Initiatives? Isabel: I decided to get more involved…

    Meet our 100th Junior Board Member, Isabel!
  • Junior Board Spotlight: Annika Clutch

    Annika Clutch is a real team player who first got involved with Urban Initiatives through her company Storck USA. Since 2010 Annika jumps at every opportunity to get involved and is committed to members of our team getting to know each other better. One of Urban Initiatives’ goals is to increase collaboration between members of…

    Junior Board Spotlight: Annika Clutch
  • IMC Trades Stocks for Cleats

    “Un, deux, trois. I can speak French too!” said Gisele, a third grader from the Work to Play team at Tarkington School of Excellence. “That’s very good!” responded Coach Jonathan, a volunteer from IMC Financial Markets, as his team of Tarkington third and fourth graders (the Fire, as they had recently dubbed themselves) warmed up…

    IMC Trades Stocks for Cleats
  • Fun with the Big Shoulders Fund

    During this past winter offseason, Urban Initiatives was thrilled to partner with the Big Shoulders Fund and schools St. Angela and Our Lady of Grace for a season of Soccer Sixty. Typically Urban Initiatives has partnered exclusively with Chicago Public Schools, but through this amazing partnership with the Big Shoulders Fund, Urban Initiatives was able to…

    Fun with the Big Shoulders Fund
  • Team Captains of the Month: April

    Each month we will share with you two dynamic Team Captains that embody the Take the Lead team spirit and go above and beyond in their communities throughout Chicago. This year 151 Take the Lead Team Captains from 24 Chicago Public Schools across 19 distinct communities will help make an impact in the lives of…

    Team Captains of the Month: April
  • Third Annual Work to Play Cup

    When: Saturday, June 6, 2015 | Where: Midway Plaisance, Hyde Park, Chicago Time: Volunteers: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Event: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Urban Initiatives invites you to witness a one of a kind event. On Saturday, June 6, 2015 – in celebration of Urban Initiatives’ over 1,200 Chicago Public School students and the rapidly approaching…

    Third Annual Work to Play Cup
  • Savoring a UI Moment

    Longtime Urban Initiatives supporter and current Board member ME Girgenti shares her experience from the third Take the Lead retreat of the year. What do you get when you bring 50+ Take The Lead Team Captains together on a cold winter’s day? Unbridled enthusiasm and positive energy bouncing off the walls, to start. And let’s…

    Savoring a UI Moment
  • Junior Board Spotlight: Jamie Hitch

    The start of Urban Initiatives’ Spring Work to Play season has arrived. As soccer games and practices begin, Urban Initiatives’ kids and staff would like to recognize Junior Board member extraordinaire, Jamie Hitch. Mr. Hitch, a Quaker employee, joined the Urban Initiatives Junior Board in 2012 and has since dedicated his talents, time, and enthusiasm…

    Junior Board Spotlight: Jamie Hitch
  • REC Coordinator Earl Aaron: Barton Alum

    Play with Potential REC Coordinator Earl Aaron graduated from Barton Elementary and is now helping kids at his old school have a happy and healthy recess! When I think back on recess as a child I have very vague memories of it. Not because I having trouble reminiscing on how much fun I had but…

    REC Coordinator Earl Aaron: Barton Alum