About Urban Initiatives

History

Fresh out of the University of Iowa in 2002, co-founders Jim Dower and Daniel Isherwood began substitute teaching at the now-shuttered Byrd Academy in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green neighborhood and immediately felt the need to reach out to the underserved children at Byrd.

On a hunch that what helped them as kids would also help the children of Cabrini-Green, Isherwood and Dower launched a before- and after-school soccer team for 12 children in the 1st through 4th grades in order to help them develop a respect for learning, strong character, and a sense of belonging. When the children began showing up hungry, the co-founders added a nutrition education component, initially using their own funds to provide healthy snacks.

When Byrd Academy closed,  the program moved into Friedrick von Schiller School and Jenner Academy of the Arts. Today, the Urban Initiatives health and education soccer program has expanded into 12 inner-city schools and reaches 360 students each season. Urban Initiatives provides programming to participants free of charge and relies entirely on donations to fund its program.

Mission

Urban Initiatives' mission is to work with schools, teachers, and parents to boost the physical fitness, health education, academic performance, and character development of children from Chicago's underserved communities by actively engaging them in safe and structured extracurricular activities through soccer programs, field trips, and cultural outings.

Vision

Urban Initiatives' vision is to provide preeminent programming to at-risk youth giving them the tools, resources, and life-skills necessary to succeed in today's global workplace. Urban Initiatives believes all children should have the opportunity to achieve their potential. We believe empowering children at a young age with a “can-do” spirit, impeccable character, and overall wellness will provide them with the values, fitness, and ambition necessary to become productive members of society.