Come Support UI at the Tory Burch Fundraiser
Please join Urban Initiatives on Wednesday, November 18th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm for a fun night of private shopping at Tory Burch to support our a health and education soccer program. The evening includes cocktails and 10% off all full price merchandise, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Urban Initiatives. Buy something nice for yourself or get a jump start on your holiday shopping.
Please email toryburchevents@toryburch.com for more details and/or to RSVP if you'd like to attend. Thank you to Colin McCourt, Meredith Smyth, Rachel Waymire, Katie Welsh, and Erin Casey Wolf for hosting the event. We all hope to see you there!
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Related Article: A Moo Moo Here, and Better Test Scores Later
The New York Times reporter Javier Hernandez reports on Harlem student's success when they learn by doing. Click here to read the article.
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Coach T. of Libby School Shares about the Fall Season
The fall soccer season has been off to a great start here at Libby School. Most of the kids I have been working with have been with the program now for close the 3 years. I've seen huge improvements overall on all fundamental skill development as well as better eating and health habits and more positive attitudes. I've used many of the activities up to this point that are listed in the daily agenda and found many of them to be helpful. The kids seem to like dog-catcher, the numbers game and full-sided scrimmages the most. The handouts and healthy nutrition info have been great resources for conversations at the beginning or end of practices. My kids like the healthy eating recipes the best and most of them do have their parents prepare the meals for them at home.
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Reavis School Thanks UI for Launching Program this Fall
Dear Urban Initiatives,
I just wanted to take the time to thank you for picking our school to be a part of your soccer program. The kids love it, it is fun and they learn a lot. This is my 4th year at Reavis and I have never seen so much parent involvement with sports than I have at every soccer practice and game. At our first game we had over 40 parents out to watch their kids play in pretty cold and rainy weather. Anyway, thanks again to Urban Initiatives!
Thanks,
Michael S. Berger
Reavis Elementary Soccer Coach and Athletic Coordinator
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Manchester United Coaches Urban Initiatives Participants to Soccer Success!
On October 2, the Manchester United Coaching staff came out to Prieto Academy to help Urban Initiatives participants practice their skills. The event was a tremendous experience for 65 Prieto students and their families. The event kicked off with the coaches of the world famous soccer club signing autographs for the excited students. Following the warm welcome, each student received their own Manchester United Soccer Ball and the fun began!
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PHOTOS: Crosstown Participants Win in the Rain!
On October 2, Urban Initiatives' participants from Goethe, Jenner, Jahn and Otis traveled to Wilmette for the Crosstown Classic with the Wilmette Wings in Avoca Park. This event marked the 9th Crosstown in Wilmette in the past six years. The Wings have been paramount to Urban Initiatives' success through the years and have helped to encourage other soccer clubs to host Crosstowns in their cities. We are unbelievably grateful to have the Wings support!
In total over 260 children from the Urban Initiatives program and the Wilmette Wings participated in the tournament. At the Crosstown, players from Urban Initiatives and the Wings are combined to form new teams for the day then play in games against the other newly formed teams. Throughout the afternoon the rain never stopped but neither did the participants' enthusiasm. Following the incredible soccer activitites there was a picnic for all of the participants and their families. Thank you to Julie Farina, all of the participants, the Wilmette Wings families, the Wilmette Wings coaches, and the volunteers for making the event a success!
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Urban Initiatives Wins Annual Springboard Award!
On October 1, The Springboard Foundation Annual Dinner was held at the Standard Club. The event was an incredible opportunity to recognize the Springboard Foundation's incredible work to promote change in the lives of Chicago children. Springboard's mission is to provide financial and intellectual capital to selected, "grass roots" charitable programs that are focused on the lives of needy children, their families and their communities in the greater Chicago area. Springboard has been an incredible supporter of the Urban Initiatives health and education soccer program since 2004.
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WomenOnCall.org Spotlights Urban Initiatives' Volunteer Jessica Rio
WomenOnCall.org does amazing work in connecting dedicated, professional women to volunteer opportunities with Chicago community organizations. One of the incredible women that volunteers for Urban Initiatives as a result is Jessica Rio. Jessica started volunteering with us in December of 2008 as a grant editor. She has made a lasting impact on Urban Initiatives and we are thrilled to have her as part of our team. Click here to read the full spotlight on Jessica.
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