Urban Initiatives - Work to Play Program

More about Urban Initiatives - Work to Play Program

UI’s program combats many issues such as obesity, academics, and non-violent conflict resolution, but the element of the program we’d like to highlight is UI’s goal to enhance social inclusion across Chicago. Specifically, we expose children to people, places, and ideas outside of their neighborhoods. In the communities we serve, youth rarely travel outside of their neighborhoods; thus, homogeneous populations often define student experiences.

Through our soccer program we breakdown barriers by taking youth on field trips. UI program participants travel to play against other teams in 11 Chicago communities. Furthermore, program participants play in tournaments, called Crosstown Classics, with travel soccer clubs in the suburbs.

At the Crosstowns students from Chicagoland communities with very different backgrounds are organized into soccer teams and play with one another. UI also exposes children to business world through corporate coaching days. On these days, employees from companies such as Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Storck & @ Properties get together for a fun afternoon of health education and soccer. Finally, UI also partners with organizations such as the Chicago White Sox, Bulls, Fire, Cubs, Chicago Childrens Museum, & Harris Theatre to expose children to the rich culture of Chicago.