We leverage the power of sport and play and use evidence-based, healing-centered programming to:
- Empower youth from pre-K-to-college and beyond to achieve academic success, develop critical social-emotional skills, and build social capital.
- Strengthen Chicago’s future by building an enduring team of youth, coaches, families, schools, and neighborhoods.
- Training the adults who surround youth everyday with play-based SEL skills and coach behaviors the help youth thrive.
Invest in quality coaches
Invest in quality coaches
Invest in quality coaches
Invest in quality coaches
Invest in quality coaches
Enlist support from diverse networks of families, schools, and community members
Enlist support from diverse networks of families, schools, and community members
Enlist support from diverse networks of families, schools, and community members
Develop social-emotional learning through play
Develop social-emotional learning through play
Develop social-emotional learning through play
Use our network to help students build social capital
Use our network to help students build social capital
Use our network to help students build social capital
Why We Do It
Sports Can Change Lives
Sports and play have tremendous impact. They bring joy to and build confidence in the youths who participate. They unite families, schools, and communities.
Chicago families need increased free play and sports opportunities for their children — especially those in the UI style, with caring coaches trained to instill teamwork, empathy, and stress-management.
We believe that delivering this kind of programming not only supports kids as they learn and grow but helps make Chicago safer, more opportunity rich, and more connected, which is exactly what our city needs now.
87%
of UI participants come from families who qualify based on financial need.
100K
CPS students reached by UI programs.
80+
Chicago Public Schools across the city have high quality experiences with UI programs.
Sponsors
Latest News
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Updates from the Field: Navigating Change, Sustaining Impact – Highlights from Urban Initiatives’ November 2025 Town Hall
Urban Initiatives’ Town Hall emphasized that the organization sustains its impact on over 100,000 students through strong relationships, community building, and consistency across its programs, coaches, and alumni.
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Data-Driven Insight: SEL as an Academic Intervention
New research shows that universal, long-term SEL programs boost grades, test scores, and engagement, reinforcing that Urban Initiatives’ emphasis on connection and belonging directly strengthens students’ academic success.