To kick-start the spring season of the Work to Play Program, Cubs Care renewed their support of the Work to Play Program at Friedrich L. Jahn School in the Hamlin Park neighborhood and Dr. Jorge Prieto Math and Science Academy in the Belmont Craigin neighborhood. The health and education soccer teams at these schools are, for the third year in a row, fully funded because of a generous grant of $45,000 through the Cubs Care, a McCormick Foundation fund! It’s long-term partnerships like these that help Urban Initiatives sustain our programs at current partner schools, enabling us to make a long-term impact on the kids we serve in areas of health, academic performance, and character development. It is truly a team effort, and we are so thankful for their continued support.
Urban Initiatives was also thrilled to participate in the 2013 Chicago Cubs’ Grants Award Luncheon at the United Club at Wrigley Field. At the luncheon, Laura Ricketts the Chair of Chicago Cubs Charities and Cubs Outfielder David DeJesus distributed the checks for the generous grants awarded to 36 organizations this year by Cubs Care a McCormick Foundation Fund and Chicago Cubs Charities. Urban Initiatives’ very own Jim Dower was invited to take the podium to express our gratitude to the Cubs, the McCormick Foundation, and the Ricketts family for their tremendous support of our work over the years. We were honored to be in a room with other organizations that are doing incredible work throughout our city.
Later that evening the Cubs Care graciously invited the Urban Initiatives staff and Isaac Diaz, a 4th grade Work to Play soccer player from Prieto, to watch the Cubs take on the San Diego Padres. During a pre-game presentation, Isaac and Coach Cris received the opportunity of a lifetime. They were asked to step onto legendary Wrigley Field as Urban Initiatives representatives to be acknowledged as a 2013 grant recipient. Once the Urban Initiatives team settled into their seats, Isaac cheered loudly each time his favorite player Anthony Rizzo came up to the plate and hit the ball. He also cheered each time a Padres batter was struck out by Cubs pitcher Scott Feldman—all 12 of them! Isaac and the entire Urban Initiatives staff had a great time watching the Cubs defeat the Padres 6-2!
Urban Initiatives would like to thank Cubs Care, a McCormick Foundation fund, Chicago Cubs Charities and the Chicago Cubs for their support of our mission to keep Chicago’s underserved youth healthy and active!
