Who We Are

Arianna is our Lead Director of Recess. She oversees recess strategy and partnerships.

Arianna came to her role at UI because she has always been passionate about helping people. As a graduate of an underserved CPS school, Arianna knows the importance of helping students recognize their ability to achieve their goals, and she sees sports-based youth development as a powerful tool to motivate young people.

Growing up, Arianna played two sports that molded her into the person she is today.
Basketball helped her understand the importance of being a part of a team. Track taught her discipline.

Paul provides strategic leadership and planning in collaboration with senior leaders, staff, board members, and advisors to oversee UI’s fulfillment of its vision, mission, and strategic plan, fostering of values, and management of internal and external operations. Since earning his B.A. from Northwestern University, Paul has dedicated his professional career to improving outcomes for young people, including as a teacher, nonprofit professional and executive leader, and school district administrator. Beyond UI, Paul enjoys time with his amazing wife, Christine, and their three daughters on the South Side.

Lakita is our Director of Recess.

Lakita joined UI’s team after years of working as a parent volunteer and coach within CPS. She enjoys helping youth develop social emotional skills and seeing them grow and heal through sport and play.

Growing up, Lakita played basketball, softball, and tennis. She was also a part of the cheer squad for several years. Now you can catch her playing a game of Switch at recess.

Julie is the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Urban Initiatives. She dedicates her time to developing strategies to actualize our mission and vision-driven plans. She provides internal organization leadership.

Julie’s entire career has been dedicated to recreation-based youth development. She studied education policy at Brown University, and ever since, she has aimed to address inequities in opportunities for young people to develop outside of the classroom. Julie
originally got involved as a volunteer coach with UI in 2008 and quickly learned that she would add more value by developing systems to help our organization grow.

Julie loves to play backyard games with her three kids. From soccer, to baseball, basketball, and to jump rope, you will often find her outside playing!

Tony is our Director of Talent Operations. He provides support for UI team members throughout their entire employee lifecycle. He emphasizes values-aligned recruitment, performance management, and efficient hiring processes.

Tony chose UI because he has lived the UI mission. He spent time in his childhood in a low-income neighborhood and was able to develop important life skills through sports. Tony has a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from Western Governors University. He is also certified as an Associate Professional in Human Resources from HRCI. He has journeyed from health care to personal training to human resources.

Tony is a lifelong athlete currently focusing on kettlebell sport and learning beach volleyball.

David is part of our Out of School Time (OST) team. He finds, trains, and supports great coaches and oversees program implementation and fidelity across our schools.

David is a dedicated professional with a strong background in education and community development. Formerly a Physical Education teacher at CPS, David’s passion for fostering growth and well-being has now led him to his role as the Program Manager (OST) at Urban Initiatives in Chicago. His tenure as a PE teacher at CPS allowed him to witness firsthand the transformative power of sports and physical activity in young lives, laying the foundation for his commitment to creating positive change.

Ruby is our Learning Specialist.

Ruby truly understands the power of play. As a former physical education teacher and coach, she always made sure her class was a safe space for all students. When she learned about UI, she saw an opportunity to partner with an organization that shares her passion for empowering youth through sports and play. Today, she’s on a mission to transform the lives of Chicago’s youth, just as sports and play transformed her own.

Ruby loves to stay active and keep stress at bay by going for runs and hitting the gym for some weightlifting!

Jim graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in Political Science. He started his professional career as a substitute teacher at Cabrini-Green’s Byrd Academy, where the inspiration for Urban Initiatives began. Jim serves on the Governor’s Council on Health and Physical Fitness and is a member of Leadership Greater Chicago’s 2014 class. He is in his eleventh year as a professional soccer coach for the Wilmette Wings Soccer Club. Jim oversees the day-to-day external operations of Urban Initiatives.

Diana was born in the northside of Chicago and moved to the Pilsen neighborhood at the age of five. As the daughter of Mexican Immigrant parents, she is proud of her Mexican heritage. Diana has experience coordinating one of the largest Latino festivals in the Midwest, and is a leader in her community, passionate about youth empowerment. She is excited to continue working and investing in the Chicago communities to empower the youth and our children to become leaders. In her free time, Diana enjoys traveling, spending quality time with her family, and cooking.

Yolanda Givens is Chicago born but grew up and lived the majority of her adult life in the Los Angeles area. This University of California, Irvine (UCI) alum, has over 20 years of experience in the K-12, Higher Education and Nonprofit Sector. Yolanda has a wealth of knowledge and experience with the Community Schools Initiative model and is excited to now join the team at Urban Initiatives.

Miki L. Grace is a business innovator, equity designer, and advocate for creative expression as a form of healing. Here at Urban Initiatives, Miki leverages her skills and experience in equity-based design and business innovation to provide organizational leadership, improve team effectiveness, and lead strategic design initiatives from end to end. When she’s not hard at work, Miki loves to engage in thought-provoking conversations, travel, write, vlog, explore new music, film, fashion, and the possibilities that lie within all kinds of new ideas.

Miguel is part of our Out of School Time (OST) team. He finds, trains, and supports great coaches and oversees program implementation and fidelity across our schools.

Miguel knows that sport and play can help youth achieve academic success, develop social emotional skills, and build social capital. As a Program Manager, he enjoys creating safe spaces where coaches and kids can come together, learn from each other, and grow.

A huge fan of the beautiful game, Miguel believes that everything he knows and has is in thanks to soccer.

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, KyJuan attended Kenwood Academy and immediately began working with youth sports programs after graduating. He believes that sports play an essential role in both physical and emotional development- sport has been a safe haven in his own life. He started with Urban Initiatives in 2016 and has continued his growth and development by taking on new roles. He is now excited for his new role as a leader for the CSI team.

Alec is our Community Partnerships Manager. In this role, he builds community partnerships and produces events on Chicago’s South and West sides. He works closely with community-based organizations, parents, local leaders, and Park District staff.

As a former early childhood educator, volleyball coach, and dance teacher, Alec has spent many years working with, teaching, and coaching children. He is passionate about ensuring children develop social emotional and life skills that give them confidence, make them feel loved and supported, and allow them to have fun! He believes every child should have access to quality education, sport, and play opportunities.

Alec’s favorite sport is volleyball because there are many different ways to play and it’s a fun, team- based social sport.

Gina is a member of our Operations team, where she oversees systems administration and the compliance of our rapidly growing staff.

She chose Urban Initiatives not just because of the role itself and what it would allow her to do—both for our organization and our team—but also because she believes children are wonderful, curious, and smart and deserve a safe place to learn and develop into strong leaders who can think for themselves. Prior to joining UI, Gina received a Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Human Resource Management from Northwestern University and became well-rounded in many aspects of HR through a variety of different roles.

Gina was a gymnast for seven years as a child and still enjoys watching gymnastics in the Olympics. She’s also a fan of ice skating and recently learned she enjoys watching ice hockey, as well!

Dana is our Lead Director of Procurement. In her role, she oversees all systems and processes across the organization to support school partner recruitment, satisfaction, retention, and organizational capacity. Her big goal is to scale sport-and-play-based SEL programming within CPS.

Dana was drawn to UI’s mission and approach to youth development. While serving as a Teach for America corps member in Atlanta, she experienced firsthand the critical need for SEL development and community-based approaches to closing the opportunity gap for young people. Her passion and commitment to this goal solidified, leading Dana to earn a masters in social work at the University of Chicago. She’s worked in a variety of roles impacting youth development and partnership engagement ever since.

Dana loves long distance running. She participates in multiple community-based running groups and also enjoys the peace and contentment of solo miles.

April is the Director of Program Administration. She works primarily with finance processes like payroll, school invoicing, and regular grant requirements.

April has a masters in education and is a licensed Teacher & School Counselor.
She fell in love with Urban Initiatives back in 2011 and has been here ever since. April enjoys being able to work with schools in every corner of the city!

Outside of work, April loves (needs?) to run, and is an aspiring marathon pacer.

Aurora is our Director of Data and Evaluation.

Before coming to UI, Aurora completed a PhD in linguistics, where she learned the ways that data can help solve puzzles about how the world works. As she completed her graduate studies, she realized that she wanted to use her skills in data and research to become involved in work supporting Chicago’s youth. Having played soccer throughout her childhood, she found that UI’s sport and play programming provided the perfect opportunity to combine her love of research and her desire to support youth.

Aurora’s favorite play activities encompass card games of all types which she likes to play with her friends and family.

Gaby Mendez was born and raised in the Southside of Chicago. As a CPS student herself, her mission is to help the youth of today through guidance and child development. Gaby first started with UI in 2017 as a recess coach in the Pilsen neighborhood. In 2021 she moved on to be a resource coordinator, where she built meaningful relationships with families and the school staff. She is excited and looking forward to continue giving back to the community and bringing Chicago families together!

Madison is a member of our Coach For Success team.

Madison Mullen was born and raised in Chicago. She earned her undergraduate degrees in Law and Society and Advanced Leadership Studies from American University in Washington, D.C. As an educator and school culture specialist, Madison has worked at both the elementary and middle school level, as well as at a residential summer camp. Prior to working in education, Madison was a senior facilitator and outreach specialist at StoryCorps, a nonprofit whose mission is to teach the value of listening in order to build connections between people and create a more just world. As a Program Manager for Coach for Success, Madison is excited to build confidence in young people by drawing out, nurturing, and celebrating their strengths, while providing consistent, caring support to help them become change agents in their own lives.

Andy is our Lead Director of Learning. He coordinates professional development for all kinds of people inside and outside of Urban Initiatives. He focuses on creating learning plans for different groups and ensuring that all of our learning work is backed in experiential moments to build personal connection.

Andy has worked in non-profits for almost 20 years, and that work has all been focused on how to create a stronger relational fabric in Chicago. More than any other space, Andy thinks sports and play have the potential to build and repair that fabric.

Andy’s favorite sport and play activity is ultimate frisbee. He, loves the disc in flight and all the different ways it can look.

Joy is our Chief People Officer. In her role, she supports human resources and people operations across the organization.

For Joy, recess was the original attraction to UI. The opportunity to play with young people professionally and the incredible impact playing would have seemed too good to be true. UI was small but mighty at the time, and it was the perfect place for Joy to continue honing her youth development skills as she finished a master’s program.

On the playground, you’ll find Joy playing Zip, Zap, Zoom because it packs memory, focus, coordination, and laughter all into one game!

Kathy is our Director of Workplace Operations.

Kathy has worked in the non-profit sector for over seven years. Before UI, she always worked with adults until she had the opportunity to host an event for children in an after school program. Kathy immediately realized the need for these types of programs to fill the void for children who didn’t have an outlet to be productive or express themselves. She felt sports could be a great outlet for youth because she believes sport and play provides character and sportsmanship that cannot only help youth in sports, but in life. This experience and mindset brought her to UI.

She used to play softball in high school and they made the state championships all three years she played.

Monique is part of our Out of School Time (OST) team. She finds, trains, and supports great coaches and oversees program implementation and fidelity across our schools.

From Chicago to Arkansas and more, Monique (or Coach “P” to the students) is literally an all around the way girl. With a bachelor’s degree in business and 2 Masters’ degrees, she is nothing short of educated. The relationships she’s built and nearly 10+ years of working with youth, she is proud to return home to a home sport that she loves, Soccer. She joined the UI team in May of 2022 as an Assistant Soccer Coach, and has since continued her efforts with us as a Head Coach of the summer camp at Morton. She is now proud to join our team in her new role as Program Manager, OST.

Averill is a member of our Coach For Success team, where he works to recruit high school student participants, engage them through high quality monthly programming, and build strong relationships with them.

Across his career, Averill has been committed to creating impactful work through youth and community engagement. He’s worked as an educator, facilitator, and even a motivational speaker. He always has the goal to engage, inspire, and motivate young leaders to create positive change.

Averill’s two favorite sports are basketball and baseball, and he he’s a certified basketball coach.

James is part of our Out of School Time (OST) team. He finds, trains, and supports great coaches and oversees program implementation and fidelity across our schools.

James is originally from Louisville Kentucky, and moved to Chicago in 2022 after getting his degree in Sport Management from Xavier University. Playing sports throughout his life, James knows how valuable healthy habits and being a part of a team can be in one’s life. James previously worked with a non-profit the Boys and Girls Club, this is where he found his passion in working with youth helping them grow as individuals both on and off the field.

Stephanie is our Director of Adult Learning and Development.

Before joining UI, Stephanie spent 12 years as a CPS educator, developing a passion for SEL and witnessing its profound impact on students’ well-being and success. Driven to broaden her impact beyond the classroom, she joined UI because their mission to promote SEL through sports and play resonated with her. She believes these are powerful tools that make learning engaging and meaningful. Stephanie is committed to fostering joyful experiences that enable both children and families to thrive.

Stephanie loves to play any and all variations of tag!

Daniel is part of our Out of School Time (OST) team. He finds, trains, and supports great coaches and oversees program implementation and fidelity across our schools.

Daniel played soccer and water polo while studying Sociology at Carnegie Mellon University. After college he worked in Family and Community Engagement for Denver Public Schools, where his passion for school support and community outreach flourished. He is excited to bring his interests together to serve Chicago students and families!

Andrea is our Director of Data Infrastructure. As a member of our Evaluation team, Andrea oversees the data systems used to collect, store, and visualize information at UI.

After receiving her B.A. in Psychology from Concordia University Chicago, Andrea worked with South and West side communities to support unhoused families. After completing the Correlation One’s Data Science for All fellowship, Andrea saw UI as an ideal space to exercise her nonprofit and data skills to provide all Chicago youth with opportunities to engage in sport and play.

Andrea grew up playing a variety of sports and currently competes in Powerlifting.

Ebony graduated from North Central College in Naperville with a Bachelors in Exercise Science. She was a 6x National Qualifier in Shot Put and a 4x All-American in Shot Put. After undergrad she began a career in coaching Track & Field at Lincoln Way East H.S. and then later a coach at St. Laurence H.S. In addition to coaching, she continued to further her education at St. Thomas University in Miami, Fl., where she earned two master degrees- Master of Science in Educational Leadership & Sports Administration. Along with coaching, Ebony is a part of a nutrition club where promoting healthy treats and consistent routines is beneficial to help improve one’s physical & mental confidence. Ebony’s passion and goal in life is to become an Athletic director and continue coaching youth/young adults not only in a track & field setting but in other sports as well.

Meaghan is originally from Michigan, where she grew up with a love for sport, play, and just being outside (particularly on the shores of the Great Lakes). She attended the University of Michigan, where she studied Developmental Psychology and Gender & Health. With nearly a decade of experience in education and sports-based youth development, Meaghan is excited to join UI as the Lead Director of OST Soccer & Take the Lead. While she loves a good kickabout herself, she’s also an avid spectator and fan of the beautiful game! You can often find her cheering on our Chicago Red Stars or supporting her wife, a local soccer coach, from the sidelines.

Aziz is part of our Out of School Time (OST) team. He finds, trains, and supports great coaches and oversees program implementation and fidelity across our schools.

Aziz Tahir is originally from Ethiopia but spent most of his childhood years in Minnesota. He graduated in December 2019 from Western Illinois University with a master’s in Sports Management and moved to Chicago to start his career in 2020. He started coaching soccer right after graduating from high school because it’s a great way to be involved in the sport and positively impact the confidence, health, and well-being of young people.

Elyse is our Director of Curriculum.

Originally from Peoria, Arizona, Elyse attended the University of Arizona and received a BFA in Theatre Education. Prior to joining UI, Elyse worked as a teaching artist and actor and spent 10 years serving as a Department Head and Theater Teacher for Noble Charter Schools. She has seen how play can help heal and is excited to help UI use the power of play to bring social- emotional learning to children of all ages.

An actor at heart, Elyse loves to play cooperative games that have a dramatic component like
charades!

Annie grew up in a soccer-mad house with her five brothers in the west suburbs. After graduating from Michigan State, she worked with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic for over two years teaching Spanish literacy and building a community basketball court. Now, she loves biking to schools all around the city to see the coaches she manages in action. The best part of her work day is hearing the kids yell “GOOOAAAALLLL” at practice.

Tiffany is our Chief Program Officer.

Tiffany was drawn to UI because she wanted to feel good about her work and make a difference in her community. At UI, she’s allowed to be her authentic self as she continues to learn and grow in her career. She has really embraced the value of having FUN at work!

Tiffany’s favorite sport is whatever sport her kids are playing in the moment, which changes frequently! Currently, she’s enjoying flag football and bowling.

Morgan is part of our Out of School Time (OST) team. She finds, trains, and supports great coaches and oversees program implementation and fidelity across our schools.

Morgan joined UI because she wanted a role that would combine her experience with Chicago youth and her years of being a teacher and coach with her desire to help adults become confident in their own coaching style. Her background is in physical education and health education and she holds an Illinois teaching license.

Morgan played soccer from the time she was five through her college years. She enjoys watching local and international soccer with her husband and playing in pick-up games.

Laura is part of our Out of School Time (OST) team. She finds, trains, and supports great coaches and oversees program implementation and fidelity across our schools.

Laura has a Master of Public Health degree from George Washington University and was drawn to UI’s unique ability to address the social determinants of health through sport and play. She is passionate about achieving positive health outcomes by improving factors of daily life and is proud to work with UI to provide students access to safe and welcoming places to play, learn, and grow.

Laura loves powerlifting. When she’s not in the gym, she can often be found taking long walks exploring her neighborhood.

Alondra is a Resource Coordinator. In her role, she oversees out-of-school-time programming at Clay Elementary, recruiting external vendors to provide a variety of after school programs. She also manages evaluation and ensures programs comply with policy, procedures, and grant requirements.

Alondra joined UI after years of community engagement as a youth sports coach.

Her favorite sport is volleyball because it offers a high intensity work out and the chance to play with amazing teammates who have fun together, regardless of whether they win or lose.

Jazmine is a Resource Coordinator. In her role, she oversees out-of-school-time programming at Harold Washington Elementary, recruiting external vendors to provide a variety of after school programs. She also manages evaluation and ensures programs comply with policy, procedures, and grant requirements.

Previously working in CPS, Jazmine has first hand experience in overseeing how the involvement of sports activity helps students with their social and emotional development and problem solving skills. She wants to continue to be a part of that and see the joy it brings the students each and every day.

Jazmine’s favorite sport to play is softball.

Agustin is a Resource Coordinator. In his role, he oversees out-of-school-time programming at George Leland Elementary, recruiting external vendors to provide a variety of after school programs. He also manages evaluation and ensures programs comply with policy, procedures, and grant requirements.

Agustin has a diverse career spanning over two decades. He is committed and passionate about helping and leading others to reach their goals. He is an outgoing individual who is ready to work with our youth and community to have a better future. 

He enjoys watching all sports. Soccer, baseball, football and basketball are his favorites. He is a diehard White Sox fan and Mexican soccer fan.

Rashad is a Resource Coordinator. In his role, he oversees out-of-school-time programming at George Leland Elementary, recruiting external vendors to provide a variety of after school programs. He also manages evaluation and ensures programs comply with policy, procedures, and grant requirements.

Rashad was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, he earned a Bachelor of Science at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale majoring in Sport Administration. He is very passionate about sports & recreation and has a demonstrated history of working in indoor/outdoor facilities. Rashad looks forward to helping build young leaders through sports and activities.

Alberto is an On Call Sub Recess Coach who oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Joel is one of our Recess Coaches who oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Joel chose Urban Initiatives because he believes the recess program can help him make a positive impact on the new generation. Joel has a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management. He has been working as a soccer coach for two years outside of working with UI.

Joel was a professional soccer player who still enjoys watching and playing soccer in his free time.

Jose is one of our Recess Coaches who oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Oscar is an On Call Sub Recess Coach who oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Oscar has been working with Chicago Fire Youth Soccer Club as well as UIC’s Soccer camps over the summer. He is known to keep the environment fun and safe for all players, making sure every player gets involved and is having a great time. Oscar’s passion is to not only develop soccer players but also into becoming great people and teaching them life lessons. Working with youth players/students is one of his biggest passions and UI helps keep this passion expanding.

Oscar’s main passion is playing soccer and still plays competitively. In recent years, Oscar finds ice hockey interesting and enjoys going to live games!

Latia is our Recess Coach at Prieto Elementary, where she oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Savannah is a Sub Recess Coach who oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Marylin is one of our Recess Coaches who oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Marylin chose UI because she believes in kids’ futures and she also enjoys coaching kids to better themselves.

She is very athletic and says that volleyball is the sport she is best at.

Shania is a Recess Coach at Gresham Elementary, where she oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Prior to joining UI, Shania spent three years working as an Early Head Start teacher at a daycare in
Chicago. She was excited to join our team because she loves interacting with the city’s youth.

Shania’s favorite recess game is a classic: musical chairs.

Kaylah is an On Call Sub Recess Coach who oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Kaylah wanted to work for UI because of her passion for teaching and bringing students together 

Her favorite sport is volleyball because of the skill and teamwork it requires. 

Sasha is an On Call Sub Recess Coach who oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Jocelyn is an On Call Sub Recess Coach who oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Crystal is our Recess Coach at Jahn Elementary, where she oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Crystal heard about UI from the Principal at Jahn, where her daughters go to school. She loves working with the kids at Jahn and treats them like they’re her own children (the students love Crystal, too—they’ve taken to calling her “Coach Mom.”) She believes all kids should have the opportunity to be active and loves providing a space where kids can be themselves and have fun.

On the playground, you’ll find Crystal playing Sharks and Minnows with the elementary schoolers and playing Switch with the middle schoolers.

Her favorite sport is a tie between baseball and basketball.

Nathan is a Recess Coach at Dulles Elementary, where he oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Nathan has been a lifelong Chicago native. He is an avid basketball fan and lover of all things relating to sports.

Laura is a Recess Coach at Davis Elementary, where she oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Laura likes working at UI because it’s a safe space where everyone is incredibly welcoming and
willing to hear each other out. Working with the students at Davis has taught her patience and
understanding. When she asks other team members questions, she knows she’ll learn from their responses, which will help her become a better coach and role model for her students.

Growing up, Laura always loved playing volleyball. She’s hoping to join a rec league volleyball team so that she can get back into the sport.

Victor is a Recess Coach at Gresham Elementary, where he oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Maggie is a Sub Recess Coach who oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Michael is our Recess Coach at Greeley Elementary where he oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

He used to lead an after school soccer program at KIPP Ascend Primary, and it was a great time. He loved being able to see students in a non-academic setting and letting them build their interpersonal skills and just have fun!

Soccer is a beautiful game for a reason. You can be any height and size and still be great. Soccer is a game for all people.

Tionnie is an On Call Sub Recess Coach where she oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

UI is a great organization that allows kids to just be kids and have fun. Tionnie’s own kids led her into UI and she’s been loving it since.

Her favorite game to play is Over and Under.

Keema is our Recess Coach at Mitchell Elementary, where she oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Keema chose UI for a better experience and to put herself in a better position. She also chose UI because of the people that work here and how hard they support one another.

Her favorite sport is basketball.

Carolyn is a Recess Coach at Cameron Elementary, where she oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

As a mother of five, Carolyn knows how important it is to have a fun, safe structured environment for children to thrive in.

Her favorite sport is Volleyball because it makes you communicate effectively as a team.

Marshawn is a Sub Recess Coach who oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

He loves to coach, teach, and mentor. He is committed to making a powerful, positive impact on staff and students. He is also growing and learning as he goes to build his skill set for his career goals.

He likes playing Basketball. He is competitive and determined to win.

Lourdes is one of our Reces

s Coaches who oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Lourdes loves Urban Initiatives’ mission. She is a personal trainer and yoga instructor.

Her favorite sport is soccer.

Sara is our Recess Coach at McPherson Elementary where she oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.

Sara worked as an educational associate and recess and lunch monitor at Springman Middle School of Glenview for six months prior to joining UI. She is an Illinois Board of Education certified preschool teacher. Sara has a Bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from University of Mongolia.

Sara’s favorite game is Bump-Tag because it engages a big group of kids at a time. It is creative and fun tag game for any grade level students.

Juan is a Recess Coach at Christopher House Elementary, where he oversees a team of school staff and leads fun, play-based games and activities that support students’ social-emotional learning.