Up2Us Dedicated to Informing Policymakers on the Value of Sports-Based Youth Development
Up2Us continues to be dedicated to educating our Nation's leaders on the importance of sports-based youth development. Last week in Washington DC, Up2Us members came together for the first federal forum on why sports are important to child development. During the week, attendees were able to reach out to a number of groups in order to share our message:
- White House
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. House of Representatives
- Corporation for National and Community Service
- Department of Education
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Interior
- Department of Justice
- President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition
- Let's Move!
Thank you Up2Us for putting together this forum. While Urban Initiatives was unable to attend the event we are grateful that our voice was heard through you and the incredible sports-based youth development organizations that were present.
Related Article: 3 of 4 American Adults to be Overweight by 2020
Check out this article that discusses a "fatter furture" for America from The Chicago Tribune. A new report warns that adults from the richest countries across the globe are gettng more and more overweight and the U.S. tops the list. The study predicts that 3 out of 4 Americans will be overweight by 2020. Click here to read the full article.
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Storck - Part of UI's World
On Thursday September 16th, Storck USA volunteers and Urban Initiatives participants, from Walsh Elementary School and Jenner Academy, came together for a back- to- school Healthy Lifestyles Soccer Tournament.
The volunteers and participants exercised and played from 4 to 5pm at the beautiful Chicago Indoor Sports facility. After some very exciting games, the volunteers from Storck put together a healthy picnic for the participants and their families consisting of fruits, vegetables and sandwiches.
The event was a great success and enjoyed by all. On the bus ride home one of the children commented, “Coach, that food was so good! I never knew that eating healthy could be so tasty.” This epitomizes one of our main goals, to educate children and their families of the importance of eating healthy and living an active lifestyle. To learn more about this please check out this article from the New York Times – Eat Well to Be Well.
This was a great way for the participants to kick start the school year. We thank Storck for its commitment to the community and Urban Initiatives. Click here to see additional photos from the event.
CLOCC Helps UI Schools Teach Healthy Lifestyles School Wide
Coach Abreu at Goethe school has taken to implementing CLOCC's 54321 Go! curriculum during her PE lessons. School wide kids at Goethe are able to recite the 54321 Go chant. All grades (k-8) have responded well to it and incorporating the teachings into their lives. This increased awareness will help the students to live healthier lifestyles in the future.
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Kicking Off October with the 10th Wilmette Cross-Town
Urban Initiatives is thrilled to be have been invited by the Wilmette Wings to participate in our 10th Cross-town Classic with the club. The event will take place on October 1st from 3:45-5:30pm at Avoca Fields. We would love for you to come out and join the fun!
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UI Participants Travel to Evanston to Cheer for Wildcats Football
On September 11, 2010. I took the Daley Academy kids in my Urban Initiatives soccer program to watch the football game: Northwestern Vs. Illinois State. My students had a great time. They were excited and happy to be there. When they returned to school on Monday Sept. 13, 2010, they were very excited and other teachers informed me about it. It was a great trip and we hope to go to other events in the near future.
Once again, thank you for your assistance and support in making this day an unforgettable experience for all of us.
Sincerely,
Coach Arturo Jauregui
Click here to see the kids' cheering in action.
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Buy Your Ticket for the 8th Annual Halloween Party
You're invited to the hottest Halloween party in town! Please save the date and help spread the word for Urban Initiatives' 8th Annual Halloween Party!
Where: Griffin Lounge -- 326 W Chicago Ave
When: Oct. 29th, 8pm to midnight
Cost: $50 (includes drink package)
Click here to register online and bypass the line at the event.
We hope to see you there!
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Register for the Oz Park Coed Charity Soccer League
Would you like to...
Play soccer and meet new people every Thursday night?
Have 25% of YOUR Registration donated to a Charity of YOUR choice?
Not worry about coordinating with 11 people to play?
Have a chance to earn $1,000 to support Urban Initiaitves?
If so, Live To Support Chicago has the opportunity for you! Register for the 5 week COED 3v3 Charity Soccer League and portions of your registration can go to Urban Initiatives. Meets Thursday nights between 6:30 and 8:30 in Oz Park. Registration closes on 9/28 and the league starts on 9/30. Click here to learn more.
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Related Article: First Lady Asks Congress to Join Childhood Obesity Fight
September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month! Check out this article from the New York Times about the first lady calling Congress to action on the issue. Click here to read.
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Thank You Moosejaw
This fall Moosejaw held a back to school backpack drive, for which people could bring in their used backpacks and trade them in for a new one at a reduced rate. Moosejaw graciously donated the used bags to Urban Initiatives and we are going to distribute them to students at the Morton School of Excellence in North Lawndale. Thank you Moosejaw for giving back to the community. There are many kids in Chicago that will benefit as a result of your efforts!
At Moosejaw, we specialize in the finest selection of the best gear and outerwear in the world, as well as some totally unnecessary nonsense guaranteed to make any day better. We carry top brands including North Face, ArcTeryx, Patagonia and Marmot, among others. Love the Madness!
To learn even more about Moosejaw or to shop online visit their website - www.moosejaw.com.
UI Receives Honorable Mention - United Airlines Chicago Impact Award
Urban Initiatives is thrilled to receive honorable mention for the United Airlines Chicago Impact Award. We were chosen due to our stellar use of sport to address a social issue. The judging panel included representatives from the Mayor's Office, World Sport Chicago, Beyond Sport, United Airlines, and the Chicago Tribune. As a result of this recognition, Dan Isherwood will be representing UI at the Beyond Sport Pre-Summit sessions. Thank you for this recognition!
Good luck to the five projects on the shortlist! They all provide incredible sports-based youth development programming to Chicago youth.
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