The Urban Initiatives Blog

Urban Initiatives Memorializes Fallen Mentor

2012-01-23T19:48:37Z

Written by Jim Dower, Founder and Executive Director of Urban Initiatives

On Friday, January 20th, our friend Troy Cameron was tragically gunned down while working at Walgreens. Troy was one of my first students at Byrd school when I began teaching nine years ago, and he made a long-lasting impact on me. In the non-profit world we often talk about “impacting” students and changing their lives. It was a two-way street in this case; Troy changed my life as well. When I began substitute teaching at Byrd I was only 22 years old (the same age that Troy was) and I found his 8th grade class challenging, to say the least. Troy, who was a leader in the class, was the first student to stop “messing with me” and encouraged the other students to show me respect as well. He also began helping me on field trips with a small soccer program I co-founded at the school, which ultimately grew into Urban Initiatives. He was a true leader and mentor within the Byrd community, for the students and for me as well.

]]> We lost touch for several years after he moved on to high school, but we recently reconnected when I bumped into him working at Walgreens. He told me about how much he had loved the soccer program back in the day, and said he wanted to get involved in mentoring kids because he knew the value of a good role model.

He was focused on being the best dad he could for his new son and working hard at Walgreens. Last year he attended the Urban Initiatives Halloween Party and thanked everyone there for our work with Chicago’s youth.

Today, I would like to thank Troy for being one of the first people to inspire me to do what I do today.

This year at the Soccer Ball we are giving our first Mentor Coach award to Thomas Durr. Thomas was in kindergarten when Troy was in 8th grade. Today, like Troy was so many years ago, Thomas is an inspiration both to me and to the young kids who are involved in Urban Initiatives. In honor of Troy, we are naming the award the “Troy Cameron Mentor Coach Award” to keep his memory alive. Rest in peace, Troy. You will be missed.

Motion & Emotion: A Volunteer's Perspective

2012-01-23T18:12:07Z

By Phil Sandick

I once had a professor who noted the underestimated connection between motion and emotion. During my seasons with Urban Initiatives, that connection has asserted itself time and time again.

When walking, sitting, or standing still (the “slow” motions), it is easy to stay inside an insulated psychological shell. Any mental confrontation with the outside world can be dealt with the same way the slow-motioner deals with a physical confrontation with the outside world: look away, close your eyes, hold your breath. There is no strong need to interact with the outside world or with others, mentally or physically, when you slow-motion through the day.

When sprinting, breathing hard, trying to win as a team, and confronting boundaries to physical movements (in soccer, “fouls”), the fast-motioner has no option but to interact with the real world, with team members, and with people in positions of authority.

]]> That’s where I come in. I volunteer for Urban Initiatives as a referee. I’m also a law student. As such, I take very seriously my position as a role model of even-handed justice. I enforce the rules of the game equally, and allow maximum liberty within those boundaries.

I have seen kids realize, through an afternoon of reinforcement, that it’s okay to be themselves and to test their outer limits: to sprint as fast as they can, to kick the ball as hard as they can, to scream as loud as they can (say, when they miss or make a goal). Those superlatives all fall within the rules of the sport, whereas each one is at least on the perimeter of the acceptable in the rest of the life of a young person. When else can a kid scream as loud as they can without anyone telling them to “keep it down,” or asking them what is wrong? And when they look at me after they do to see if I’m going to punish them or another player, they typically get a nice big smile. No rule violation, no whistle, no reason to be anything but happy.

Sports like soccer also allow students to test the outer limits of their creativity within very specific guidelines. For example, in soccer, the offside rule is very clear. Outside of the requirement that a player be onside, though, a team can pass the ball wherever and however they want. The walls at the indoor center on Pershing facilitate even more creative possibilities. When someone breaks the rules, I blow the whistle and clearly tell everyone what foul was committed so we’re all working with the same rules. Because they are fast-motioning, the players interact with the rules and with me as an authority figure.

After the games, we sometimes talk about lessons of the day or have other health and wellness activities. Here again, the fast-motion of the game extends to the slow-motion of the quasi-classroom. Students are quick to volunteer correct answers the same way they were quick to race toward a ball. Students feel free to say the first thing that comes to their mind. As long as they raise their hand and wait to be called upon, they can say what they want, and I try my hardest to make each answer-giving instance a positive experience for the speaker and the listeners.

The hardest part of coaching and, I’m sure for the kids, playing, is when someone breaks a serious social rule. At this point, my role switches from soccer referee to social referee. Just like soccer, students are completely free within the social rules. Once a rule is broken, though, I blow the whistle. A typical example is a child calling another child a bad name that they may not realize is deeply hurtful. Because these situations are more delicate and usually only arise in the passion of a fast-motioner’s mind, I gather everyone together and talk through the foundations of what a person has said. It is easy to understand why a soccer rule is a rule: that’s what the sport’s governing body has written. It is less easy to understand why a social rule is a rule, so those situations require a little bit more teaching.

This is precisely where I place the importance of Urban Initiatives. The students are all fast-motioners by this point: their hearts are beating quickly, they are breathing hard, and they are interacting with the outside world on a very high level. When I ask question like, “Why is it bad to call someone a [ ]?” or “How did it make you feel when she said [ ]?”, the students are quick to respond openly and fully. The shy, closed up student is gone, and the interactions between all students—in the secure presence of an even-handed adjudicator—flourish.

UI's Next Generation of Coaching

2012-01-18T18:36:05Z

“What is y’all thinking? Why are you doing that? You need to pick that up and do your homework,” the coach snapped. The offenders did their best to look ashamed, each beginning to pick up the crumpled pieces of paper on the ground.

“Hold on, I can handle this,” said another coach. “You guys know what the soccer team is about. You need to do well in school and eat healthy. You know that.” Pointing to a completely shredded assignment, “you probably need a new one,” the coach finished.

The action abruptly stopped, and the circle of kids and adults burst into laughs, cheers and applause. This role play activity capped off Urban Initiatives’ first celebration for our 5th-8th grade players, now officially called mentor-coaches.

]]> “What was good about how these mentor coaches handled this situation?” Coach Tom asked. A flurry of hands, and the mentor coaches in the audience, one by one, talked about the calmness of the second mentor coach, the importance of homework, and the ability to be a role model that was all the more important for them as older coaches.

Each of the groups present had a chance to dramatize a role-playing scenario—a kid who didn’t want to play, confronting bullies, or intervening on unhealthy eating—before the crowd of fellow mentor coaches and Urban Initiatives staff. After each scenario, the group debriefed as a whole on how the examples could make them better mentor-coaches.

These players, representing twelve schools, are too old to officially participate in the Work To Play Program but they want to stay involved, so this role represents a way for them to embody Urban Initiatives’ health and character lessons and be role models for the next generation of players.

In addition to the role-playing, mentor-coaches got to know each other and their roles a little better through a couple of games and activities before they took a lunch break with hummus, Jerusalem salad, and chicken shawerma from Sultan’s Market. After lunch, the mentor-coaches left their school groups and formed mixed groups to discuss their roles as assistants to their teams, and how they could set goals to be better at those roles in the winter session.

At the end of the party, mentor-coaches were presented with limited-edition Chicago Fire shirts and Urban Initiatives backpacks. More than anything, this party sought to secure a special group identity for the mentor-coaches across schools. As they departed, Coach Tom encouraged everyone to wear their special shirts to game days, and to continue to develop their relationships with one another. “Remember,” Coach Tom said, “that even though we’re from different schools, we’re all part of the same Urban Initiatives team.”

Even after the official end, some of the mentor-coaches hadn’t had enough hanging out, and stuck around to chat, kick a soccer ball around the office, and even witness a headstand competition. Seeing these kids work together and be focused in defining and expanding their hopes for the winter season and beyond, it’s certain that the program will benefit from the efforts of these emerging leaders.

Healthy Places Helps UI Reach More Kids

2012-01-10T20:02:12Z

After receiving the Healthy Places grant in July, Urban Initiatives embarked on a project to enhance health and wellness resources in our partner schools beyond what we already offer with our Work to Play soccer teams. Because Urban Initiatives is committed to supporting our partner schools in every possible way, we were excited about being able to help teachers and staff in the schools come up with ways to make their school a healthier place for everyone in the community!

]]> One of the driving goals behind the Healthy Places project was to help schools get ready to do the Healthier US Schools Challenge application. This is part of Michelle Obama’s nationwide Let’s Move! campaign to fight childhood obesity, which is an epidemic all over the country.

Six months into the year, Urban Initiatives is proud to say that we’ve made some great progress! So far this year, four of our partner schools have completed the application, which will celebrate the healthy school environments that they already have and motivate them to keep up the good work with national recognition and a monetary prize. Jahn, Morton and Daley schools qualified for the “Go for the Gold” award and Libby school qualified for the Silver! The above photo is from the Healthy Schools Campaign annual Principal’s Breakfast, and features Urban Initiatives’ assistant coach Maria Salazar from Daley Academy receiving an award with Principal Rhonda Hoskins.

We are so excited to have worked with these schools to make this happen, and even more excited to take what we’ve learned and support even more UI partner schools!

Save the Date: Chicago Fire 2012 Season Kickoff Luncheon!

2012-01-04T19:39:07Z

Urban Initiatives is proud to be a grant recipient of the Chicago Fire Foundation. Additionally, the Chicago Fire give back to our organization in many other ways. We are grateful to have them as supporters and hope you will support their efforts to raise funds to support programs like the Work to Play Program at their Season Kickoff Luncheon. We hope to see you there!

Inspired By Mission, UI Staff Laces Up & Hits the Streets

2011-12-21T22:20:38Z

UI's flagship program, the Work To Play Program, spends a lot of time talking good nutrition and healthy habits to our players. "Eat fruits and vegetables," we say, "limit your screen time and make sure to get at least one hour of physical activity a day." Developing these habits early is key to helping kids live a healthy and active life in the long term. We believe that it will work.

But sometimes it becomes clear that we adults could use some Work To Play in our lives, too. We run around, but in cars doing errands. We eat, but often in a hurry and often not as healthy as we would like. And for anyone in an office, we know that limiting screen time is next to impossible.

That's why the UI staff, inspired by a recent retreat, started a once a week winter running program, Cool Runnings. Drawing inspiration from the hit 1990s film, today was our first crack at the icy Chicago streets.

]]> We rambled through the Fulton Market packing district to Union Park and back, summitting the Desplaines Ave. hill from Lake St. to Hubbard to cap the (almost) three mile jog. After a healthy breakfast, we're feeling like champions today.

We had favorable weather today, good company, and the Championship Attitude to keep us going. After a holiday break next week, Cool Runnings will be back in the New Year. Shoot us an email if you want to help us practice what we preach. "Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up, its bobsled time! COOL RUNNINGS!"

UI Participants Team Up with NCAA to Learn Importance of Community Service

2011-12-21T15:14:08Z

This Fall, the NCAA hosted its annual regional Student-Athlete Leadership Forum. The goal of this forum is to “engage a diverse and dynamic representation of student-athletes, coaches, faculty and administrators and provide pertinent and customized sessions that will enhance personal awareness and leadership skills needed to impact student-athlete development at the campus and conference level, and beyond the collegiate realm.” One facet of this forum was a community service project in which over three hundred NCAA student-athletes worked with 40 of Urban Initiatives' student-athletes to make hand-made blankets and audio cards to be donated to the Salvation Army for children in need. This community service project was known as the “Inspire Future Leaders – Blanket Give Away”.

]]> Community Service Project: Inspire Future Leaders – Blanket Give Away

On the morning of November 5, two Urban Initiatives schools traveled to Rosemont to work with the NCAA on a community service project. For this event, the children from Bethune Elementary and Lloyd Elementary were picked up from their schools that Saturday morning at 6 a.m, and were brought to the Hyatt Regency in Rosemont at 7 a.m. Once both schools arrived, the children were served breakfast and individually placed with their own table of collegiate student-athletes. All of our kids were embraced and celebrated like superstars by the student-athletes. After a breakfast consisting of cereal and turkey bacon, we prepared to hear a speech from Diana Cutaia, the keynote speaker and Director of Athletics and Sports-based Initiatives at Wheelock College in Boston. At the end of her speech she asked for the help of one of our kids to help get the crowd excited, which sparked him dancing on stage. Once he got everyone on their feet and flooding to the front of the room to get a better view of him, five more kids made their way on stage.

After the dancing wrapped up, all of the Urban Initiatives participants were ushered down the center aisle to the applause and cheers of everyone present. We then headed downstairs to begin the actual community service project. Our kids took part in physical teamwork activities with the college students, the most fun being untieing the human knot. They then began making the blankets. They also made hand decorated cards in which they left voice recorded messages for the children who would be receiving the blankets. At the end of the event, all of our soccer players received blankets of their own in an official NCAA shoulder bag. Also, all of our parents received sweet NCAA cups and pens.

The impact of this event on our kids was immeasurable. It was great that they were made to feel valued by college-age role models, but more importantly, this event helped to show them that there are things in this world that are unfortunate, but if they're willing to put in a bit of work and have a big heart, that they can be a part of the solution.

One of the many touching stories from this event occurred during Lloyd's bus ride back to the school. While talking between bites of his banana, one of our little boys said, "It's really cool that people that cool and old and tall thought that I was cool!" He then said that going to college would be great because then he would be cool like them.

We at Urban Initiatives are extremely grateful to have been chosen by the NCAA for this wonderful opportunity. Our kids received an invaluable experience and we truly believe in the mission of instilling in our youth the spirit of service that was so evident amongst the NCAA student-athletes.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Dazzles UI Youth; Storck Presents UI with Check On-Stage

2011-12-05T20:45:34Z

On Saturday December 3rd, Urban Initiatives participants got a chance of a lifetime when they received Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) tickets at Allstate Arena, got a backstage tour, and met the lead performers. Urban Initiatives was the charity partner for the 2011 TSO event presented by Storck USA. To kick off the show, TSO and Storck presented Urban Initiatives with the check for $16,447. It was an honor for all involved.

]]> Several youth from our Work to Play Program were dazzled by the holiday light show, pyrotechnics, and amazing musical talents of the performers. As the backstage tour began, the youth clutched their coach's arm in nervous excitement. They were introduced to several performers who sang in the show. When one of the performers asked if the kids could sing, Alianna, a 1st grader at Reavis, broke out in song. The pop hit was immediately recognized by the professional singers and the entire group began to join in - suddenly, Alianna and her sister Gabrielle were the stars of the show! After a few rounds of the chorus and an impromptu dance number, the performers and kids were brought out in front of the crowd of thousands. They participated in kicking off the show by throwing prizes out into the cheering crowd following the check presentation. Chevaugn's throw definitely reached the 10th row, at least! The kids then found their seats and enjoyed an amazing music and light spectacle!

Many thanks to Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Storck USA for supporting our work and giving our kids an experience they will never forget!

Loyola and UIC Pits Two UI Schools Against Each Other for Some Good-Natured Fun

2011-11-29T15:58:28Z

On November 2nd, a chilly Wednesday night, two Urban Initiatives schools, Nobel Elementary and Lloyd Elementary got together to cheer on their local collegiate soccer teams. Each school was cheering for a different team - Nobel for the UIC Flames and Lloyd for the Loyola Ramblers. The UIC Flames and the Loyola Ramblers, both with Horizon League berths still undecided, squared off for another game in their crosstown rivalry. Nobel Elementary, who just a week prior, sat in the stands to see UIC's amazingly clutch finish in their victory over Wright St., was on hand to see if they could bring a little luck to their team a second time around. And Lloyd Elementary, who a week prior was on hand to see a great matchup between Valparaiso and Loyola, came showing their support hoping to see Loyola keep their Horizon League Championship berth alive.

]]> Before the game started, Nobel conveniently wound up sitting with the few UIC supporters which were seated the furthest away from their rival cheering squad, Lloyd. As the game got started and the chilly wind picked up, emotions became a bit more subdued, but every few minutes, the prospect of a breakaway goal or a hard foul got our kids to their feet and cheering. But it wasn't until about thirty minutes in, that a goal by Loyola got the kids from Lloyd jumping in the stands. Shortly after that, it was halftime, and one of the coolest moments of our fall season took place. Our kids, as well as other youth in the stands, took the field to run around and try their hand at scoring goals on their teammates and newly acquired friends. A couple kids even got a few tips from the “giant” soccer players from Loyola and UIC, and took a few passes from them as well.

The second half rolled around, and despite a few close moments for UIC at the end, it ended with the score 1-0, Loyola. Though one school obviously left with a few more smiles than the other, the children talked about how much fun they had all the way through the next week. And it wasn't just a good night for our children. UIC rebounded by winning their next game, and made it to the post-season, and Loyola used that win to springboard themselves on a remarkable run, not only making it to the postseason, but winning the Horizon League Championship as well.

Urban Initiatives would like to thank both of these universities, their staff, and their incredible student athletes, who not only work hard on the field, but carry themselves with dignity and respect off of it. Their kindness and generosity towards Urban Initiatives' kids are great examples of what it means to be an athlete, student, and citizen.

All Smiles at Reavis Soccer Team's Award Ceremony

2011-11-18T16:56:23Z

At the end of every Work to Play Program season, Urban Initiatives holds team parties to reward participants for their hard work and commitment. This is a video from Reavis Elementary's party. Look at those million dollar smiles! The kids are so proud of all their hard work!

Get Your Ticket to the Camp Out For Kids 2011 Fundraising Event!

2011-11-11T15:42:46Z

Purchase your ticket for the annual Camp Out For Kids fundraising event on December 8th! This fun event will be held at the new Frontier (1072 N Milwaukee).

]]> An awesome partner of ours, Camp Out for Kids

provides kids under the age of 18 years old the ability to attend a camp of their choice, such as outdoor adventure, soccer, football, drama, snowboarding and cheerleading camps. The kids choose the camp, and we take care of the rest.

For just $20, your taste buds will be excited by “farm to table” Hors d’Oeurvres celebrating American contemporary cuisine, rustic wood-oven pizzas, and drink specials. There will be silent auctions, 50/50 raffles, and lots of good fun with good people. At last year’s event, there were over 250 supporters and they raised enough money to send 60 kids to a summer camp of their choice! 20 of those lucky kids were from the Urban Initiatives team. On December 8th, let's help them send even more kids to camps this coming summer!

You can pay for the door charge or donate in advance via their website at www.campoutforkids.org The Urban Initiatives team will definitely be in attendance and we hope to see you on December 8th for this wonderful event!

Chicago Fire Foundation Delivers Athletic Field to West Elsdon Community, UI Kids

2011-11-10T22:23:18Z

The economic downturn has made times tougher for all people, not just in their household bottom lines, but in the public services they rely on. As some city agencies find themselves on the chopping block, a soccer coach looks to park funding and program delivery, both of which are crucial indicators of a city's health.

]]> Fortunately, the Chicago Park District has not only nearly doubled its five-year capital improvement budget from the previous plan, but it has also enlisted millions of dollars in matching contributions from the Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation for field improvements. The “Take the Field” initiative plans build 10 brand new lighted turf soccer fields in Chicago parks by the end of next year, and with the recent opening at Pasteur Park in West Elsdon, they are more than halfway there. With the financial partnership of the Chicago Fire for the Pasteur field, more than $7 million total has been dedicated to the six Take the Field initiative fields completed so far.

So for this effort, it's no wonder that balloon arches and banners decorated the gleaming field at Pasteur Park last Saturday as the Pasteur Urban Initiatives team drilled their skills for the Mayor, Chicago Fire captain Logan Pause and Fire midfielders Michael Videira and Corben Bone, and scores of neighborhood residents. This sunny, windblown day saw both Chicago Park District Superintendent Mike Kelly and commissioner Brian Traubert thank the Urban Initiatives team for their hard work and commitment.

Just as Coach Anthony was bringing the group in for another round, a shout from the other side of the field turned heads: "It's Sparky! Let's go!" Sure enough, there was the Chicago Fire mascot Sparky, in all his dalmatian finery, and every kid on the field ran to mob him for pictures and a chance to pat his nose. Things looked pretty dire for the pooch in the hands of dozens of tiny Fire fans, but in the end, Sparky and the Chicago Fire team gave out t-shirts and hats to pacify the fans.

Thus quieted, the Pasteur team and kids from the YMCA, Chicago Park district, and local club teams looked on as representatives from the US Soccer Foundation, the Chicago Fire, the Chicago Park District, and the Mayor spoke of the great improvements to Pasteur Park, and of the need for more of the same in many of Chicago's parks. Thanks to the support of all these groups, the Pasteur team and neighborhood residents have a beautiful new place to play. We will be there supporting you every step of the way as you continue to prioritize safe and accessible places for Chicago's youth to play.

Storck, Making a Difference in the Lives of UI's Kids

2011-11-09T15:42:33Z

On November 3rd, volunteers from Storck USA, a candy company that makes favorites such as Werther's and Mambas, took time out of their busy schedules to be soccer coaches for the day at the Chicago Indoor Sports complex. With boxes of special edition Storck-UI shirts ready to be distributed, Storck volunteers awaited the arrival of soccer players from Otis Elementary and Tarkington School.

]]> As our players arrived they were outfitted with their special t-shirts and ushered onto the soccer field for the fun to begin. As soccer balls rolled around the indoor center, Storck volunteers joined our players on the field. Some served as referees, some as coaches and others just jumped right into the games and played alongside our players! It was a great to see so many adult volunteers taking time out of their day to convey the importance of being physically active to our youth.

Once the action on the soccer field started to wind down, the generous volunteers from Storck had yet another surprise for the Urban Initiatives soccer players: healthy Mexican food! Storck was gracious enough to provide players and their families with a healthy and delicious spread of tacos and chili. Rather than serving beef for the taco filling, delicious ground turkey was used as a healthy substitute. Fresh fruit and crisp vegetables accompanied the rest of the meal. The players and especially parents all enjoyed the healthy food and learned that they could incorporate the same ingredients each night as they cook dinner for their families.

A great time was had by all at this Storck-sponsored event. Some soccer and healthy eating sure go a long way for many of these players and they showed their appreciation by, as a Storck volunteer put it, “Being very well behaved and attentive throughout the afternoon." Thank you to Storck for your continued generosity!

Volunteers from Roosevelt University Are a Hit with UI Kids!

2011-11-02T14:31:40Z

Stephanie Khio is the Assistant Leader of the Eleanor Roosevelt Society at Roosevelt University. She brought her group to the Chicago Indoor Sports Center on October 21st to volunteer with our teams from Attucks and Lloyd. The following is a blog post by Stephanie:

Being the Assistant Leader of the Eleanor Roosevelt Society (ERS) at Roosevelt University, contacting many different charities and organizations happens to be my biggest job. Our group focuses on achieving the goals of Roosevelt University - and Eleanor Roosevelt herself - in that we pertain to the goals of social justice and community outreach. After contacting many organizations, Urban Initiatives seemed the most promising, giving me detailed information of what our group would be doing. The mission of this organization grasped me, as well.

]]> When we got to the Chicago Indoor Sports center, keeping in mind that this was my first project I organized this year, I felt incredibly comfortable and confident. I couldn't help but smile when seeing the participants enter the sports center. They ran into the center, so excited to play soccer. And when our group was split up, I noticed the interactions the kids had with their teammates. When a teammate fell, another member would help them up.

They had a great attitude towards each other and towards us volunteers. But there was one simple act that touched me. When the kids went on their water break, I felt a little hand touch my hand. A little girl held my hand, showing the slightest bit of trust. I wasn't just a volunteer; I was a friend to the kids. After we had finished coaching the kids, I heard members of our group talking about their experience, floored with the positive enthusiasm of the kids. They thanked me for bringing them out to volunteer with Urban Initiatives. It was a great first experience - it made my job everything I wanted (and continue to want) it to be.

Urban Initiatives wants to thank Stephanie and the Eleanor Roosevelt Society for volunteering their valuable time with our kids! They were naturals at coaching, refereeing and cheerleading - and our kids left the Indoor Center feeling like they had made new friends! The enthusiasm and time of our volunteers is a huge part of what makes Urban Initiatives' succeed - we cannot say "THANK YOU" enough!

FC United Girls Team Runs Soccer Skills Clinic for UI Participants

2011-11-01T16:52:24Z

Urban Initiatives participants from Prieto Academy had a fantastic time at a soccer skills clinic hosted by the FC United U16 Girls Select team. The FC United girls did an amazing job of coaching and interacting with the kids. The Urban Initiatives participants were all smiles for the duration of the event. Even when a few bumps and bruises occurred the kids were up smiling, laughing, running and playing in no time. The FC United team ran a very well organized series of drills as well as small-sided games. At the end of the event one of the players asked her coach, "Can we come back tomorrow to play?" All in all, everyone had a fun-filled afternoon and the Prieto soccer team looks forward to coming back again in the future. Many thanks to the FC United U16 Select girls team!