UI Player Grows Locks to Help Youth with Cancer
Sporting long hair is a common trend amongst professional and amateur soccer players. With his own long locks, 3rd grader Richard at Goethe certainly has his soccer look down pat. His skills on the field and in the classroom are an added bonus. While playing the “Number Game” Richard, or as his teammates call him Ricky, was continually brushing away the mop on his head to better his vision.
Once time expired Coach Cristobal, the Program Associate at Goethe went up to Ricky and suggested he cut his hair so it’s not constantly bothering him. Ricky replied, “I can’t, I’m growing it out because I’m donating it to kids with cancer.” Needless to say Coach Cristobal was amazed at Ricky’s generosity and gesture to those that are in need. Much like his attitude on the soccer field, Ricky is a “pass first” player.
The following are words directly from Ricky about his decision to grow out his hair:
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Nike Soccer Shoes Have UI Kids Feeling Like Pros!
“Hey Coach! I bet you can’t catch me!”
“Hey Coach! I don’t just play good, I look good!”
“That goal was nice, wasn’t it? It must be the shoes!”
These are just a few of the quotes that could be heard during this year’s Winter season at Nobel Elementary. Sometimes it is hard to know exactly what has gotten our kids so pumped, but this season, to paraphrase countless Jordan commercials and one of our players, “It must be the shoes!”
At the Fall end-of-season party, thanks to an extremely charitable donation from Nike, Urban Initiatives was able to provide the Nobel team with brand new Nike soccer shoes. The excitement during the presentation of the shoes was palpable as kids whispered with bated breath about every pair that was handed out before their own. The kids weren't simply given shoes for being on the team - they understood that they had to earn them through hard work both on the field and in the classroom, consistent attendance, and a team first attitude. By performing well in the classroom and committing themselves to being excellent teammates, the Nobel team more than proved themselves worthy of such a reward!
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UI's Morton Team Stays Fit Off the Field
Urban Initiatives believes in education and the importance of a healthy mind and body. Exercising at school is easy! Especially, when there is a fitness room across from the gym. Just ask the soccer team at Morton Elementary. The fitness room, donated by the Chicago Bulls, gives the Morton soccer team the tools they need in order to remain healthy.
"I love riding on the ellipticals because it strengthens my legs!" said 3rd grader N'Dia.
Americorps Service Spotlight: Cris Martinez
Currently serving Urban Initiatives as a LISC Americorps member, Coach Cris understands the value of his role in his student athlete’s lives. When asked about the impact that his service has on the youth he works with, Coach Cris responded, “I feel that giving players someone they can relate to and look up to is important for them, and you can tell from how invested we are in each other. They love when I tell them how great they are and whenever I get one of them to smile, it can keep me going for days.”
Coach Cris knows that his role in their lives and the things they learn from him will be vital as they get older and start making real decisions of their own. Just being there as someone they can talk to about anything, from getting help with soccer or their homework, to talking about issues they see in their community, he knows that what he does matters.
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Americorps Service Spotlight: Simba Gandari
“I wouldn’t do anything different.” That’s what Coach Simba says about these past two years as a LISC AmeriCorps member. Serving Chicago’s underserved youth has been an incredible experience for Simba, he does so by teaching them about living healthy and active lifestyles through the sport of soccer. Soccer and working with youth are two of Simba’s passions.
Simba says, “The sight of joy on Urban Initiatives soccer players faces keeps me motivated to be the best soccer coach and mentor to them.” Always putting his players and their families first, Coach Simba spends countless hours at Tarkington School of Excellence and Jenner Academy making himself constantly available to help with homework, answer questions on healthy living or putting in extra work on the soccer field.
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Americorps Service Spotlight: Andy Neilsen
Urban Initiatives is so lucky to have Coach Andy “Championship Attitude” Neilsen on our team this year as an Up2Us Coach Across America AmeriCorps Member. He oversees the Urban Initiatives Coaches Corps Program and supports the Work to Play Program at Daley and Libby schools.
Coach Andy was determined to get involved in AmeriCorps because he wanted to provide direct service that would impact neighborhood and social issues. Andy grew up playing sports, and he knows what a valuable experience it can be for kids growing up. That’s why he’s so excited about the work we do at Urban Initiatives!
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Americorps Service Spotlight: Anthony Hill
Every day this week we will celebrate one of our awesome Program Associates! Today we spotlight Anthony "Crunch Time" Hill.
Coach Anthony is a 2nd year AmeriCorps member, and ourProgram Associate at 3 partner schools: Pasteur, Morton, and Walsh. He is a sports fanatic and has always dreamed of being interviewed by sportscaster Craig Sag...er, known as "America's Sideline Reporter." So it came as a surprise when the loudly dressed Sager showed up unannounced at a UI soccer game to interview Coach Anthony.
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Americorps Service Spotlight: Travis Moore-Murray
Every day this week we will celebrate one of our awesome Program Associates! Our office here is small, with 11 full time staff total…and 6 of them are National Service members! We all feel incredibly lucky to have found these fellows. They are 100% dedicated to our soccer players, and bring so much life to work!
Travis Moore-Murray is a 2nd year AmeriCorps member, and our Program Associate at 3 partner schools: Bethune, Lloyd and Nobel. Prior to Urban Initiatives, Coach Travis was a Public Ally working at the YMCA, supporting people transitioning out of homelessness to develop social skills and get good jobs.
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Pizza Party Brings UI Board Members and Staff Together
Urban Initiatives' staff and Board of Directors had a fun-filled pizza party this past week. The team assembled at the Urban Initiatives office to enjoy refreshments, mingle, and talk about the importance of the work we do for Chicago' children. Overall the turnout was great with 11 staff members and 9 Board Members in attendance.
Program Associate Cris Martinez stated, "It was great to meet and see the amazing supporters behind Urban Initiatives. Everyone in our office last night has a passion for service. From serving our players, coaches, schools and families to serving each other on a daily basis. It truly is a family."
Executive Director Jim Dower was thrilled to see so many of his favorite faces in one room. "Sharing conversations over delicious pizza brought our Board and staff closer together as well as strengthened our commitment to Urban Initiatives by facilitating a greater sense of shared values and support for our mission."
Thank you to the Board for being committed. We are lucky to have a Board that is engaged on so many levels. Special thanks to Steve Cole for sponsoring the event. We look forward to hosting many more events like this in the future.
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Good Sports Grant Provides Vital Sports Equipment to UI's Coaches Corps Schools
Home to Urban Initiatives' soccer practices full of 2nd to 4th graders in the morning, the Arthur A. Libby Elementary gym hosted a much bigger and louder contest last Thursday. Thanks to a grant from Good Sports that Urban Initiatives secured, Libby received brand new basketballs, enabling it to host eight different elementary schools' basketball teams as the host site of the CPS Elementary School Sports Program's Pershing area. This grant has not only allowed Libby to reduce the costs of its basketball program by becoming a host site, but it has also brought high quality sports equipment to every school that plays at Libby.
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