Urban Initiatives Insider:
A Health and Education Soccer Program Making a better future for inner-city children
January 2009

From the Executive Directors

Happy New Year Urban Initiatives supporters! This time of year is always exciting for Urban Initiatives. One reason is that the Soccer Ball is rapidly approaching. The event will be held this Friday, January 23 at Salvage One. It is a paramount fundraiser for Urban Initiatives and the host committee has been hard at work to make this year’s Soccer Ball the best one yet. Tickets are going fast, but if you have not purchased yours, don’t worry; it’s not too late! Tickets for the event are $90 online or $100 at the door. Reserve tickets here. We hope to see you there!

In addition, the kickoff of our winter season is just around the corner. What better time for us to engage children in physical activity than when it’s freezing outside and there is snow on the ground? Starting January 26, students at each of our nine schools will meet in their respective gymnasiums as well as Chicago Indoor Sports for the Urban Initiatives Work to Play Program. We are excited to get back in the game and invite you to join us at one of our school sites as a volunteer. Thank you for supporting Urban Initiatives!

~ Jim and Dan

Recent Happenings at UI

New Champion Partners

In 2008 we launched our Champion Partners program. To become an Urban Initiatives’ Champion Partner, an individual, foundation or company commits to making a positive impact at the school site of their choice by donating the funds necessary to run the Work to Play Program and also by visiting the school to directly participate with the students. A Champion is one who supports and advocates for others: a winner. We are excited to have two Champions starting this year!

Devers Group to Champion Partner Walsh School

Our longtime supporter Devers Group has become a Champion Partner with Walsh Elementary School. President Bill Devers is excited about the new partnership. After serving at Walsh as Principal for a Day, Bill decided to make a direct connection between his organization and the school. We are grateful for this partnership.

“The reward of soccer participation appeared to be a high motivation factor to achieve academic success with the children I met at Walsh Elementary School.”
– Bill Devers, President Devers Group

Storck to Champion Partner Jenner Academy

Storck has generously committed to being the Champion Partner for Jenner Academy for the next two years. The partnership is exciting and will sustain the Program at Jenner. "Storck is a 100 year old German family business. Our Slogan 'Storck-Part of Your World' reflects that we want to be a positive part of people’s lives–not only through offering great tasting candy but also through supporting the community. In sponsoring Urban Initiatives we can emphasize this Mission. We can positively affect the lives of the children and families that are participating in this program and also give back to the community of the City of Chicago that has embraced us for the past 30 years now.”
– Ralf Hilpusch, President of Storck USA.

If you or your company is interested in becoming an Urban Initiatives Champion Partner please e-mail cfalcone@urbaninitiatives.org.

Creative Fundraising Continues by the Urban Initiatives Urban Achievers

The UIUA continue to successfully host creative fund raising events for Urban Initiatives. On December 6, 40 UI supporters attended Tickets to Happiness with the Chicago Bulls. The fundraiser raised a total of $800.00. The supporters attended the Chicago Bulls game and watched them defeat the Washington Wizards with a score of 117 to 110. Thanks to the UIUA for their hard work to make the event a success.

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Making it Happen

Letter from Longtime UI Supporters Chris and Jenny Morgan

Urban Initiatives has had a huge impact on us and our family because of the connection we feel both to the kids UI serves and the organization itself. With UI there is always an opportunity for close contact with the kids--a Crosstown Classic, attending a practice at one of the city schools, or going on an outing with some of the UI kids. We took advantage of these opportunities as a family when we first learned about UI, and seeing our kids with the UI kids underscored how alike in spirit all children are, and how much UI does to foster that spirit and channel it in positive ways. After playing soccer together and hanging out on the sidelines, our kids and the UI kids were like old friends, talking about normal kids' stuff--their favorite video games, sports teams, music and foods. Whatever the differences in circumstance, they still found a common bond, and as a UI boy told us after the outing, "We're family now. You're in my heart." That experience left an indelible impression on us all.

As entrepreneurs and founders of our own companies, we also understand the challenges that come with starting and then growing an organization. This and our one-on-one experiences with the kids mean we feel a responsibility to do more than just write a check, or put in time. It's not just another volunteer or board position, it's lending expertise, time, creativity, sweat equity or whatever is necessary to help UI reach its full potential and help more kids, because we have seen firsthand that UI does more than administer its programs, it actually has an impact on the kids' lives.

Sincerely,
Chris & Jenny Morgan

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How You Can Help

Time is Running Out! Buy Your Tickets to the Third Annual Soccer Ball Benefit

Please join us at Salvage One at 1840 W. Hubbard this Friday, January 23 for the Third Annual Soccer Ball. Tickets are $90 and include drinks, appetizers by J&L Catering, dancing, and a silent auction. This year Arne Duncan, former CEO of Chicago Public schools and the nominee for the United States Secretary of Education, will serve as the honorary chairman of the event. Buy your tickets now.

Donate Now

Our vision for Urban Initiatives is to offer our Work to Play Program to 360 students in twelve schools by the end of the 2009-2010 school year. There is popular demand for our program and we would love to have your support while we expand into three more schools. We know that everyone is very conscious of what organizations they are supporting in this economy and we would be honored if you choose Urban Initiatives. Rest assured, there are some terrific kids in Chicago who will benefit from your generosity. Donate now.

Volunteer Winter Season 2009

Please join us as a volunteer for our upcoming winter season starting January 26. We need people to assist with coaching our Work to Play Program. Volunteers are vital to our organization. In just one hour, you can help 30 children in an at-risk community better their lives with physical activity, health education tutorials, character discussions, as well as a healthy snack. Please e-mail info@urbaninitiatives.org for more details.

Sign Up to Support UI at MakeItBetter.net

Urban Initiatives has been presented with a unique, free and easy opportunity to raise funds with MakeItBetter.net, a North Shore online magazine and resource. For every new, free subscription, MakeitBetter.net donates $5 to our organization.

You help Urban Initiatives grow by requesting a free subscription to the MakeItBetter.net weekly newsletter, known as the Better Letter. Simply go to www.makeitbetter.net, click on “subscribe” in the top left corner and select Urban Initiatives.

Founded in 2007 by a group of concerned North Shore women, MakeItBetter.net combines the information and tools you need to make your life, your community, and the world, Better, one subscriber at a time. Please help the Urban Initiatives grow by requesting your free subscription today.

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With Appreciation

• We are continually grateful for all our supporters. While we remain dedicated to the Urban Initiatives vision, it is the support of our financial contributors and volunteers that allows our vision to flourish. We thank you so much for your continued support and we promise that we are devoted to our mission that all children should have the opportunity to reach their potential.
• Thank you to our Soccer Ball sponsors for their generous support of our Third Annual Soccer Ball benefit: Athletico, Attorneys Title, BMO Capital Markets, Chicago Indoor Sports, Chris Campbell, Devers Group, Edward A. Anderson, Euro Soccer Club, Goose Island, InterCall, J&L Catering, John & Katherine Buehler, Kevin Nied, Kim and Scott’s Goumet Pretzels, Lakeside Bank, Mental Karate, Nike, OCA Ventures, Optimus, Rhonda Holcomb Photography, Robin & Tony Armour, Sports Lawyers Association, Storck, The Big Picture, The John Buck Company, Tommy Bahama, University of Iowa, and William Zanoni. Your support will serve as a foundation for funding our program for the rest of the year.
• Thank you to our Soccer Ball Host Committee for their hard work to make the upcoming event a success. You guys make it happen! We are forever grateful.
• Thank you to the generous individuals who have donated money or auction items to the Urban Initiatives Soccer Ball. We appreciate your support.
• Thank you Hen and Barley Press and Jenny Morgan for donating a portion of their Christmas card proceeds to Urban Initiatives.
• Thank you to Lily Stein and her family for selecting Urban Initiatives as the recipient of the donations collected at her Bat Mitzvah. We appreciate you honoring us during your celebration.
  • To learn how to make Urban Initiatives the beneficiary of your event, e-mail cfalcone@urbaninitiatives.org
• Thank you to the Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust for their generous donation to the Urban Initiatives Program.

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Spotlight on Arne Duncan

For the last two years, Urban Initiatives has been fortunate to have Arne Duncan as an informal advisor. As a result of the time we have spent with him, our organization’s impact on Chicago at-risk youth has increased. He has helped us to pinpoint the value of our program to the CPS, develop our current curriculum, and to garner new supporters. In addition, he has attended the Soccer Ball and will serve as the honorary chairman of the event this year.

Arne is a Chicago native with a passion for education. He has a long history of targeting the issues facing our public education system head on. Prior to joining the Chicago Public School system he served as the director of the Ariel Education Initiatives. There he worked tirelessly to enhance the educational opportunities for at-risk children on Chicago’s South Side. In 2001, Arne was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools. He is now President Obama’s selection for United States Secretary of Education. In addition, Arne is passionate about health and athletics. He is a long time basketball player and understands the value to children of being part of a team.

We are saddened to be losing such a valued partner of Urban Initiatives to Washington. However, we are confident that our nation will be better off with Arne Duncan as Secretary of Education.

“I commend Urban Initiatives for their efforts in helping CPS students fill their after school hours with fun, educational experiences and for consistently providing high quality programming in some of Chicago’s most under-served communities.”
– Arne Duncan

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Quote of the Month

"As teachers and coaches we have already noticed a big rise in the overall interest of students wanting to be part of the program and commit to a soccer team, choose to eat healthier foods, make smarter food choices, and perform better in the classroom."
~ Coach Tlachac & Coach Vazquez, Libby School.

We want your feedback: Send comments and suggestions to info@urbaninitiatives.org.

Urban Initiatives
650 W. Lake St., Suite 340
Chicago, IL
60661
312-715-1763

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