Get Involved

Partners are critical to helping UI support brighter futures for kids in Chicago through sport and play. Learn how to volunteer your time, sign up to join one of our boards, or make a donation today.

UI Efforts

Join Our Mission for Chicago

We need your help to strengthen Chicago’s future by building an enduring team of youth, coaches, families, schools, and neighborhoods. Our work is anchored in a healing-centered approach guided by research that says youth who make meaningful connections with peers and adults and build social-emotional skills will be better positioned to excel in school and beyond.

Check out a section below to see how you can help.

Upcoming Events

We Bring Communities Together

Our events are a great opportunity for youth to make meaningful connections. Sign up today to join in on the fun.

If an event is highlighted in blue below, we need volunteers to help staff on that day. Reach out to Adrians Cleveland on the UI team to learn more about specific events, or sign up below to be contacted for future volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Sign-up

We Need a Lot of People to Do This Important Work

Experience the joy of sport & and play and make impact with us.

Whether it’s game days, summer camps, special events, or other exciting activities, your involvement matters. Submit an interest form today and be part of our an incredible volunteer team shaping memorable experiences for Chicago’s youth and family.

Give your time

What is Our Associate Board?

Urban Initiatives’ Associate Board is a group of 80+ young professionals who raise funds and awareness to support our work. Each board member takes on additional responsibilities, including:

  • Participating in quarterly meetings
  • Raising funds and social awareness
  • Attending and promoting UI fundraising events
  • Volunteering to support our mission

We recommend at least a year-long commitment for membership. If you would like to join our Associate Board, please click the link below. Once you’ve submitted the form, one of our team members will follow up.

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

Career Opportunities

Come Work at Urban Initiatives

Are you looking for a career at a mission-driven organization? We work hard to embrace diversity and inclusion and encourage everyone at Urban Initiatives to bring their whole selves to work every day. Come be part of a winning team.

Get in Touch

Want More Information?

Our team is happy to answer any questions you might have.