Urban Initiatives’ Post

We're looking for subs for the Corporate Challenge Cup! Interested? Email events@urbaninitiatives.org by this Friday. Join a squad of caring corporate employees playing to rally resources for equitable access to sports and play in Chicago. #PlayIsSerious #SocialResponsibility

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future,” — Franklin D. Roosevelt In a letter from Ed Fortino & Dayle Duchossois-Fortino, along with a $500,000 donation match, they opened with this quote and emphasized that Urban Initiatives embodies this sentiment. We extend our deepest gratitude to Ed & Dayle. We are incredibly honored to have supporters who believe in nurturing the next generation of Chicagoans. 🙏❤️ #YouthEmpowerment #CommunitySupport #UrbanInitiatives

TRUTH: At 16, many teens trade playtime for cash in their pocket but that’s not all. 💰 The teens and young adults in our One Summer Chicago program want corporate experience, confidence and more peer connections. Help us celebrate their maturity and help them grow by dropping your best (and funniest) career advice in the comments! 💼☀️ #YouthEmpowerment #WorkforceDevelopment #OneSummerChicago

Julian Sibley, a former Urban Initiatives coach now studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Redlands, reflects on how UI taught him invaluable life lessons beyond sports. ⚽️✨ Watch his story: https://lnkd.in/gf58NnSV #UrbanInitiatives #PlayIsSerious

This summer headlines can read, "Playtime is on the Rise: Starting July 1st Urban Initiatives Summer Sports Camp Provides FREE Programs for Nearly 2,000 Kids in 32 Chicago Communities." Don't you want to see more good stories like ours covered in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times this summer!? 🌟

🌟 Another heartfelt thank you to everyone who made our Game On Gala a night to remember! Special appreciation goes to Tom Ricketts, Chairman of the Chicago Cubs, and UI alum Lizbeth Barajas Avina for their participation in our fireside chat. As well as our esteemed host committee for their invaluable contributions: Pete Cherecwich, Richard Dent, Patrick Gallagher, Lyle Logan, Jason Pritzker, Abby Pucker, Brooke Ricketts, Laura Ricketts, Cece Ricketts, Jesse Ruiz, Michele Ruiz, Maggie Shapack, Jeff Shapack, and Otis Wilson. Here's to celebrating the magic of sports and the incredible community that champions it! 🏆🎉

We want to take a moment to spotlight our Game On Gala honoree, Pete Cherecwich. ✨ Pete, your leadership and dedication to Urban Initiatives inspire us all. Your ongoing support is crucial in spreading the power of play throughout Chicago! 🙌

Meet Ericka Jara Perez, a University of Illinois Chicago graduate and future EMT nurse whose life was transformed by Urban Initiatives programs. 🚑🌟 Watch her inspiring journey: https://lnkd.in/gf58NnSV #UrbanInitiatives #PlayIsSerious

🌟 We're still on Cloud 9 after an unforgettable evening at our Game On Gala! We raised $2.4M for sports and play and the night’s success was only made possible by your generous support. 🌟