Category Archive

May 2012

  • UI’s Healthy Schools Celebrated at City-Wide Event

    This spring, SIX Urban Initiatives partner schools were recognized for successfully completing the HealthierUS Schools Challenge and making healthy school environments a priority! The HealthierUS SchoolsChallenge looks at school policies about classroom rewards and celebrations, fundraisers, nutrition education for students and families, and opportunities for physical education and physical activity throughout the school day.  Urban…

  • UI Kids & Parents Visit Wood Street Urban Farm

    This spring, two Urban Initiatives soccer teams got the chance to visit Wood Street Urban Farm not only to learn about where fruits and vegetables come from and how they keep us healthy, but to taste them too! Located in the Englewood neighborhood, just a mile away from two Urban Initiatives schools – Sherman School…

  • UI Kids Face Harsh Reality

    As of today, Urban Initiatives serves 4,785 kids across 23 schools in communities like Englewood, Roseland, Cabrini-Green, Humboldt Park, Pilsen and North Lawndale. The reality our kids face everyday isn’t the same as what other youth around Chicago or it’s outlying suburbs encounter in their own communities. The constant sound of sirens and loud cracks…

  • Spartan FC Hosts Crosstown Summit

    While Chicago prepared to welcome world leaders for the NATO summit, Urban Initiatives sent an envoy of three schools to form a soccer-playing alliance with the Spartan FC! Over 200 young soccer players spread out across 14 fields for pickup games with new friends at Wood Oaks Park in Northbrook, IL. Older Spartan players participated…

  • Howe Elementary Gets with the Program

    "Howe do you feel?""Good!""Howe do you feel?""Good!""Howe do you feel?""Real Good!" It’s Game Day. Vashon Jordan, head coach at Howe Elementary, expects the soccer team to have a great attitude before they play Lloyd Elementary. Shin guards, black shorts, and a crisp, white shirts embroidered with the Urban Initiatives logo completes their uniform. The team…

  • Starbucks Community Helps out in Englewood

    Urban Initiatives is enormously grateful to have worked through Public Allies to bring the Starbucks Community Service team to work at our Englewood partner schools. We are excited about the possibility of continuing this partnership to support our beloved schools. Urban Initiatives values opportunities for people to experience different communities, ideas, and ways of living,…

  • Teacher Appreciation Week All-Star: Coach Meeks

    This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and for Urban Initiatives, this means a big thank you to all of our teachers who serve as On-Site Program Directors (OSPD), Assistant Coaches, and those that fill out our Work To Play forms every week. We could not have such a successful program without them! We want…

  • Daley Team Comes Clean At Cornell Square Park

    “Hey Coach Andy,” David said, bouncing into practice on Monday morning. “Someone threw trash all over the field again.” The coach expressed his similar disappointment, but that didn’t stop David. “If you need someone to clean it up again, I would be delighted.” David was referring to the park cleanup two days before in Cornell…

  • UI Volunteer Kevin Nied Shares His Experience

    The following blog was written by Urban Initiatives volunteer Kevin Nied. I have known Jim Dower and Dan Isherwood for about 6 or 7 years as they coached my daughters on the Wilmette Wings soccer club beginning back in their U9 or U10 days. I have volunteered at a few of the Crosstown Classics throughout…