Meet Urban Initiatives

Through the Coaches Lab Project at Wintrust Arena, 16 Coach Interns—most of whom grew up in Urban Initiatives programs – are developing essential workforce skills and foundational Coach Behaviors to step into paid leadership roles as community mentors across Chicago Public Schools.

Equipped with foundational Coach Behaviors through intentional pre-event training, our volunteers step onto the field to provide the emotional safety and encouragement that turn everyday play into lasting social-emotional growth for Chicago youth.

The Associate Board unites 120 young professionals who pair more than $300,000 in annual fundraising with hands-on sideline mentorship, proving that when caring adults show up consistently, they build the trusting environments and generational pathways Chicago youth need to thrive.