On June 2nd, a sunny Chicago Saturday, seventy-five youth from all corners of Chicago descended upon Humboldt Park’s Allstate Field for an afternoon full of soccer, healthy food, and making new friends. These youth represented a rich array of faith traditions, coming from Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and non-religious families. This was the third Interfaith Cup…
HomeMade Pizza Co. loves helping the community as much as they love making great pizza. Urban Initiatives Junior Board Members Joseph Katelman and Kyle Rose took the initiative to put together the Four Cheese Fundraiser with HomeMade Pizza Co. Thanks to them, the evening raised $342 to provide busing for the final day of programming…
This spring, SIX Urban Initiatives partner schools were recognized for successfully completing the HealthierUS Schools Challenge and making healthy school environments a priority! The HealthierUS SchoolsChallenge looks at school policies about classroom rewards and celebrations, fundraisers, nutrition education for students and families, and opportunities for physical education and physical activity throughout the school day. Urban…
This spring, two Urban Initiatives soccer teams got the chance to visit Wood Street Urban Farm not only to learn about where fruits and vegetables come from and how they keep us healthy, but to taste them too! Located in the Englewood neighborhood, just a mile away from two Urban Initiatives schools – Sherman School…
As of today, Urban Initiatives serves 4,785 kids across 23 schools in communities like Englewood, Roseland, Cabrini-Green, Humboldt Park, Pilsen and North Lawndale. The reality our kids face everyday isn’t the same as what other youth around Chicago or it’s outlying suburbs encounter in their own communities. The constant sound of sirens and loud cracks…
While Chicago prepared to welcome world leaders for the NATO summit, Urban Initiatives sent an envoy of three schools to form a soccer-playing alliance with the Spartan FC! Over 200 young soccer players spread out across 14 fields for pickup games with new friends at Wood Oaks Park in Northbrook, IL. Older Spartan players participated…
"Howe do you feel?""Good!""Howe do you feel?""Good!""Howe do you feel?""Real Good!" It’s Game Day. Vashon Jordan, head coach at Howe Elementary, expects the soccer team to have a great attitude before they play Lloyd Elementary. Shin guards, black shorts, and a crisp, white shirts embroidered with the Urban Initiatives logo completes their uniform. The team…
Urban Initiatives is enormously grateful to have worked through Public Allies to bring the Starbucks Community Service team to work at our Englewood partner schools. We are excited about the possibility of continuing this partnership to support our beloved schools. Urban Initiatives values opportunities for people to experience different communities, ideas, and ways of living,…
This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and for Urban Initiatives, this means a big thank you to all of our teachers who serve as On-Site Program Directors (OSPD), Assistant Coaches, and those that fill out our Work To Play forms every week. We could not have such a successful program without them! We want…
Urban Initiatives has been fortunate to be a beneficiary of Christ Church Winnetka’s Rummage Sales for the past several years. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with them again! Come outto the sale to find a selection of lots of great stuff to support local charities. We hope to see you there.
“Hey Coach Andy,” David said, bouncing into practice on Monday morning. “Someone threw trash all over the field again.” The coach expressed his similar disappointment, but that didn’t stop David. “If you need someone to clean it up again, I would be delighted.” David was referring to the park cleanup two days before in Cornell…