Welcome to Urban Initiatives! We're so glad your child is joining our Crosstown Classic this year!


Crosstown Classic 2025-2026

Urban Initiatives is thrilled to partner with the Wilmette Wings and Chicago Rush North Shore for our Crosstown Classic. At the event, club players and Urban Initiatives program participants: 

  • Play together on the same soccer teams, creating an atmosphere of teamwork, learning and fun

  • Promote active and healthy lifestyles, while bringing together diverse communities 

  • Celebrate the longstanding partnership between the Wilmette Wings and Chicago Rush North Shore and Urban Initiatives communities 

WHEN: Friday, April 10th, 4:30 – 6:00 pm at West Park, 3513 Lake Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091 

WHO: Urban Initiatives’ mission is to use the power of sport and play to empower Chicago’s youth to achieve academic success, develop social-emotional skills, and build social capital. 

Urban Initiatives offers participants a continuum of programming rooted in the world of team sports and enables students to gradually transition from Player to Team Captain to Coach over the course of their elementary, middle, and high school years. 

Our work currently reaches 100,000 students in 80+ Chicago Public Schools 

WHY: Building a brighter future for Chicago’s youth is a team effort and engaging stakeholders across the city, like members of the Wilmette Wings and Chicago Rush North Shore community, to empower advocates is key to our success.

HOW: By donating money for Urban Initiatives to buy one soccer ball for a Chicago Public Schools student, your child can participate in the upcoming Crosstown Classic! Donate a soccer ball today via this link. The goal is to raise $2,100 to buy soccer balls for SEVEN entire Urban Initiatives soccer teams!



OUR HISTORY: Our first Crosstown began in 2004. Over the years we have worked with thousands of Wilmette Wings and Chicago Rush North Shore players. Urban Initiatives is proud to have several young professionals from the Wings community who serve on the Associate Board. They are now in their twenties and helping shape a stronger Chicago! 

Crosstowns are one of the highlights of our year, and no club is more welcoming than the Wilmette Wings and Chicago Rush North Shore! The Wilmette Wings and Chicago Rush North Shore dedication each year is inspiring, and we would love for you all to come out and participate this year. 


With gratitude, 



Jim Dower, CEO & Co-Founder of Urban Initiatives

Crosstown Classic 2025-2026

Urban Initiatives is thrilled to partner with North Shore Country Day for our Crosstown Classic. At the event, school players and Urban Initiatives program participants: 

  • Play together on the same soccer teams, creating an atmosphere of teamwork, learning and fun

  • Promote active and healthy lifestyles, while bringing together diverse communities 

  • Celebrate the longstanding partnership between NSCD and Urban Initiatives communities 

WHEN: Friday, April 24th, 3:30 - 5:30 pm at North Shore Country Day

WHO: Urban Initiatives’ mission is to use the power of sport and play to empower Chicago’s youth to achieve academic success, develop social-emotional skills, and build social capital. 

Urban Initiatives offers participants a continuum of programming rooted in the world of team sports and enables students to gradually transition from Player to Team Captain to Coach over the course of their elementary, middle, and high school years. 

Our work currently reaches over 100,000 students in 70+ Chicago Public Schools 

WHY: Building a brighter future for Chicago’s youth is a team effort and engaging stakeholders across the city, like members of the NSCD community, to empower advocates is key to our success. 

HOW: By donating $15 for Urban Initiatives to provide transportation for Chicago Public Schools students to attend a day of play, your child can participate in the upcoming Crosstown Classic! 

Support the NSCD Student Board’s Bus Campaign today via this link. The goal is to raise over $1,000 to pay for the transportation for Urban Initiatives players to attend their annual day of play, the Community Play Cup.

 



With gratitude, 

Jim Dower, CEO & Co-Founder of Urban Initiatives 

Crosstown Classic 2025-2026

Urban Initiatives is thrilled to partner with New Trier for our Crosstown Classic. At the event, school players and Urban Initiatives program participants: 

  • Play together on the same soccer teams, creating an atmosphere of teamwork, learning and fun

  • Promote active and healthy lifestyles, while bringing together diverse communities 

  • Celebrate the longstanding partnership between New Trier and Urban Initiatives communities 

WHEN: Friday, October 10th from 3:30-6:00pm at New Trier 

WHO: Urban Initiatives’ mission is to use the power of sport and play to empower Chicago’s youth to achieve academic success, develop social-emotional skills, and build social capital. 

Urban Initiatives offers participants a continuum of programming rooted in the world of team sports and enables students to gradually transition from Player to Team Captain to Coach over the course of their elementary, middle, and high school years. 

Our work currently reaches over 100,000 students in 80+ Chicago Public Schools 

WHY: Building a brighter future for Chicago’s youth is a team effort and engaging stakeholders across the city, like members of the New Trier community, to empower advocates is key to our success. 

HOW: By donating $10 for Urban Initiatives you cover the cost for one soccer ball for one player to take home at the end of their spring season, so they can continue to stay active during summer vacation!

Support Urban Initiatives today via this link. The goal is to raise $2,000 to pay for 200 Urban Initiatives players to receive a Soccer Ball at the end of their spring season.


With gratitude, 



Jim Dower, CEO & Co-Founder of Urban Initiatives 

Crosstown Classic 2025-2026


Urban Initiatives is thrilled to partner with the La Grange Celtics for our Crosstown Classic. At the event, club players and Urban Initiatives program participants: 

  • Play together on the same soccer teams, creating an atmosphere of teamwork, learning and fun

  • Promote active and healthy lifestyles, while bringing together diverse communities 

  • Celebrate the longstanding partnership between the Celtics and Urban Initiatives communities 

WHEN: Friday, October 3rd, 4:00 – 5:30 pm at St. Joseph High School Soccer Fields (10900 W Cermak Rd, Westchester, IL 60154)

WHO: Urban Initiatives’ mission is to use the power of sport and play to empower Chicago’s youth to achieve academic success, develop social-emotional skills, and build social capital. 

Urban Initiatives offers participants a continuum of programming rooted in the world of team sports and enables students to gradually transition from Player to Team Captain to Coach over the course of their elementary, middle, and high school years. 

Our work currently reaches an estimated 100,000 students in 80+ Chicago Public Schools 

WHY: Building a brighter future for Chicago’s youth is a team effort and engaging stakeholders across the city, like members of the LG Celtics  community, to empower advocates is key to our success. 

HOW: By donating money for Urban Initiatives to buy one soccer ball for a Chicago Public Schools student, your child can participate in the upcoming Crosstown Classic! 

Donate a soccer ball today via this link. The goal is to raise $2,000 to pay for 200 Urban Initiatives players to receive a Soccer Ball at the end of their spring season.



With gratitude, 



Jim Dower, CEO & Co-Founder of Urban Initiatives 


Registration Form

CHILD INFORMATION


*2016 & 2017 Wings players – Play in games alongside UI/CPS students
*2015 Wings players – Serve as game referees
*2014 & older Wings players – Act as game coaches
*CRNS players can support the event by:
Helping coach teams during games
Assisting with event setup and breakdown
Supporting snack distribution
PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION 

Registration Form

CHILD INFORMATION


* 2-5th graders can play with UI students 
* 6-8th graders will support as referees and coaches for the games 
* High Schoolers will support as referees and coaches for the games
PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION 

Urban Initiatives logo

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION
Please provide all requested information and read this document carefully before signing and returning to Urban Initiatives.

I am the parent or legal guardian of the child identified above. Urban Initiatives, Inc. NFP operates youth development programs (“Programs) for students in the Chicago Public Schools. I grant permission for my child to participate in one or more of the Urban Initiatives 2025-26 School Year Programs.

My child is in good health and does not have any injury, illness, disease, or other medical condition that might prevent safe participation in the Program’s activities. I understand that COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. There is a risk that my child will contract or spread COVID-19 (or other contagious diseases) regardless of the precautions taken by me or the Programs. I accept the risk that my child might be exposed to, contract, or spread COVID-19 or other contagious diseases. I further understand that, even in the absence of negligence, participating in the Programs involves the risk of physical injury, including serious bodily injury (such as permanent disability, paralysis, and death), and other risks and dangers. I understand and voluntarily assume all such risks and dangers to which my child may be exposed by participating in the Programs.

I hereby release, discharge, and covenant not to sue Urban Initiatives, my child’s school, the Chicago Public Schools, and their respective volunteers, sponsors, partners, attorneys, officers, directors, agents, employees, and members (each of the foregoing a “Released Party”) from all liability, claims, causes of action, demands, losses, and damages that I or my child may have or that may hereafter accrue arising from participating in the Programs or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by any Released Party, even if arising or related to any Released Party’s negligence, to faulty equipment, or otherwise.

I acknowledge that I am responsible for my child’s health and safety and for the personal property that they bring. I am solely responsible for my child’s medical expenses and decisions with respect to their care. In the event of injury to my child, I authorize first aid and emergency aid treatment deemed necessary by Program personnel. I further authorize emergency responders and medical personnel to perform such tests and provide medical treatment that they deem necessary.

I understand that Urban Initiatives and its representatives, sponsors, licensees, affiliates, and employees may use my child’s name, photograph, video likeness and voice in promotional materials. I authorize in advance such use, and I waive any rights of privacy that I or my child may have.

I have read, fully understand, and agree to abide by this agreement. By signing it, I understand that I am giving up substantial rights so that my child may participate in the Programs, and I do so willingly. I agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, then the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. I understand that this agreement is binding upon me, my child, my child’s other parent or legal guardians, and my and my child’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and assigns. My electronic signature below is the legal equivalent of—and has the same force and effect as—my original manual/handwritten signature on this form, and I agree to the use of such electronic signatures.

Parent/Legal Guardian Signature: