URBAN WARRIORS
Who Are We?
The Urban Warriors is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is committed to providing opportunities and support for youth in the city of Chicago. Specifically, we serve the Little Village neighborhood, but our programming is open to youth from outside the neighborhood as well. We offer a variety of programs that are designed to help our youth build leadership skills, explore their interests, and give back to the community. One of the things that sets us apart is our focus on free programming, with the only cost being community engagement hours that the youth and their families must complete as a way of giving back to their community. Providing wrap-around services along with our programs is key as well. This means that we don't just offer activities and classes, we also provide support and resources to help our youth and their families succeed. At the Urban Warriors we believe that mobilizing our youth and their families is key to creating more safe spaces in the neighborhoods we serve. We tackle economic inequities that exist in sports programs, community engagement, and access to resources. Our ultimate goal is to build human capital in our communities, so that our youth and their families can thrive and achieve their full potential.
REY RAIGOZA
LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER & CEO
Dear Urban Warriors Family,
I am writing to express my gratitude and admiration for the incredible work that all of you do each day to positively impact the youth and communities that we serve. Since our founding in 2016, the Urban Warriors Organization has been dedicated to expanding access to sports and providing holistic programming to develop youth in disinvested neighborhoods. Our mission to improve the quality of life for our city's youth and communities is more important now than ever before. We believe that by providing tangible opportunities for our young people to learn, engage, and grow, we can help break existing cycles and create economic development by building human capital.
As we continue to face unprecedented challenges in our world, it is vital that we remain committed to our vision of elevating community impact. We are proud of the work we have done thus far, but we know there is still so much more to be done.
I want to express my appreciation to our dedicated staff, volunteers, and partners who have made our mission possible. Your hard work and dedication are what make the Urban Warriors Organization a success. I encourage you all to continue to push forward, innovate, and find new ways to positively impact the youth and communities we serve. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter future for our city's youth.
Sincerely,
Rey Raigoza CEO, Urban Warriors Organization
Executives
Oswaldo Alvarez
President
Karen Russell
Secretary
Cynthia Valencia
Treasurer
Executive Director- Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation
Strategic Brand Marketer- Brain Balance
Director of Youth Programming- My Block, My Hood, My City
Board
Bryan Nieto
Founder/CEO- Alebrije
Elianne Bahena
Community/Outreach Manage- 22nd Ward Office
Elizabeth Serrano
Serrano Law
Taryn Parker
Vice President- KemperLesnik
Mission Statement
At Urban Warriors, we believe in empowering youth in disinvested neighborhoods by expanding access to sports and providing holistic programming that develops their skills, knowledge, and community engagement. Our mission is to positively impact the lives of young people and their communities through innovative programs that improve the quality of life in our city.
We strive to break existing cycles in society and create economic development by building human capital. Our vision is to elevate community impact by providing tangible opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and succeed in all aspects of their lives.
The Vision
Gather resources to directly invest and empower communities.
2022 TOP SPONSORS
Our Finances.
Our deepest thanks to every person who has donated. Whether it was $1 or $200,000, we couldn’t take care of people no matter what, without your help.
Your gift gives us the power to not only hone and strengthen the work that we’re already doing in Chicago, but to continue our growth and sustainability as an organization so that we can continue to tackle the challenges and needs in our communities.
Youth Development
Ensure that every child, irrespective of their zip code, has the chance to play, learn, and thrive.
Travel Baseball
- Expose our youth to different cities across the Midwest. - Build 2 more youth programs: 10U and 14/15U - Played in over 10 tournaments - 92% of our youth are in Academic good standing. -Brought 2 skilled coaches to the program: Coach Zachary Mackyntyre and Coach Dominik Gonzalez
All Girls Soccer
-Over 60 girls registered for our first year - 97% of our girls are registered for our 2023 Season - Over half of participants said that this was their first exposure to sports - All women coaches and volunteers
Yoga Para Todos
-Assisted over 50 individuals in their language skills to develop in the workforce - 2 Instructors from the neighborhoods we serve were brough on board - 67% of Students have improved their language skills by over 40%
All-Girl Soccer League
The Urban Warriors all-girl soccer league is a much-needed opportunity for young women in the city of Chicago. This league is unique in that it provides a safe and supportive environment for girls to play the sport they love while being coached by women who are leaders in their community. This program is only led by women coaches, volunteers and staff! For too long, girls in our city have not had access to the same athletic opportunities as boys. This has resulted in a significant gender gap in sports participation, leading to fewer opportunities for girls to develop their physical and mental strength, as well as their leadership skills. The Urban Warriors all-girl soccer league aims to bridge this gap by providing a platform for young women to not only play soccer, but also to develop valuable life skills. By participating in the Urban Warriors all-girl soccer league, girls will have the opportunity to learn from women who have been successful in their own lives, both on and off the field. These coaches serve as role models for young girls, showing them that they too can achieve their dreams if they work hard and believe in themselves. In addition to learning about soccer, players will develop skill such as teamwork, leadership, and communication, which will benefit them both on and off the field. By supporting the Urban Warriors all-girl soccer league, your organization will be making a significant contribution to the community. Not only will you be providing an opportunity for young women to develop their skills and abilities, but you will also be helping to promote gender equity in athletics. This will have a ripple effect throughout our community, inspiring other girls to pursue their own passions and encouraging them to believe in themselves. The Urban Warriors all-girl soccer league is a valuable opportunity for young women in the city of Chicago. By supporting this league, your organization will be making a significant contribution to the development of our youth, promoting gender equity in athletics, and helping to create a brighter future for all members of our community.
50
GIRLS
PARTICIPATED
1
NCAA SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENT LED THE
SOCCER LEAGUE
5
NEW COACHES
EXPECTED 2023
GROWTH
100+
GIRLS EXPECTED 2023
Travel Baseball
The Urban Warriors Travel Baseball program recognizes that the cost of participating in competitive sports can be a significant barrier for many young people, particularly those from underserved communities. To address this issue, the program offers a unique opportunity for young people to participate in competitive baseball at no cost. By breaking the pay-to-play cycle that exists in many sports programs across the country, the Urban Warriors Travel Baseball program is helping level the playing field and provide equal access to high-quality athletic opportunities. This is especially important in communities where resources may be limited, and where young people may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in travel sports. In exchange for the opportunity to participate in travel baseball, young people in the Urban Warriors program are asked to give back to their communities through community engagement hours. This not only helps to make our neighborhoods better, but it also teaches young people the importance of giving back and contributing to the greater good. Through the program, young people are able to experience the benefits of competitive sports, including improved physical fitness, teamwork, and leadership skills. They also have the opportunity to travel and compete against teams from across the country, which can broaden their horizons and expose them to new experiences and perspectives. The Urban Warriors Travel Baseball program is an important and valuable initiative that provides young people with equal access to competitive sports while also fostering a sense of community engagement and responsibility. By breaking down barriers and promoting equal access, the program is helping to create a more just and equitable society.
52
YOUTH SERVED
Ages 8-17
15
TOURNAMENTS
03
TOURNAMENTS WON
1,000
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HOURS
92%
YOUTH OVER
3.0 GPA
Traveled Throughout....
Yoga Para Todos
Yoga Para Todos, recognizes the importance of mental health and well-being in underserved communities. Yoga has been shown to have numerous benefits for both physical and mental health, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep quality, and promoting overall relaxation. Offering yoga classes throughout the neighborhood help provide access to a valuable resource that may not be readily available to everyone. Through these classes, individuals are able to learn and practice yoga techniques that can help them manage stress and improve their overall health. In addition to the physical and mental health benefits, the program recognizes the power of community building that can be fostered through yoga classes. By bringing people together in a supportive and inclusive environment, the program is helping to create a sense of belonging and connectedness that can be especially important in communities where individuals may feel isolated or disconnected from others.
La Carnita Asada Podcast
A youth-led podcast is a powerful tool that provides young people with a platform to express their ideas and opinions and share their experiences with a broader audience. By taking control of the conversation, young people are able to use their voices to address important issues and advocate for change. La Carnita Asada is unique in that it combines the power of conversation with the joy of sharing a meal. The host and production team, who are all young people, invite leaders from their respective communities to have a meal together from local small business. Over the course of the meal, they engage in conversation about a variety of topics, ranging from community issues to personal experiences. Through this format, the podcast is able to accomplish several important goals. First and foremost, it provides a platform for young people to have a voice and to share theirvperspectives with others. By engaging in conversation with community leaders, they are able to advocate for their own needs and priorities, while also learning from the experiences and insights of others. At the same time, the podcast supports local small businesses by showcasing their products and services to a wider audience. By featuring a different local business in each episode, the podcast is able to help promote these businesses and raise awareness about the important role they play in their communities. La Carnita Asada podcast is an important and valuable initiative that empowers young people to have a voice and to make a positive impact in their communities. By providing a platform for conversation and connection, it helps to build stronger and more resilient communities, while also supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Si Se Puede Program:
ESL/ Workforce Readiness Program
The Si Se Puede program is an innovative initiative designed to break language barriers both in their daily lives and in the workplace. By combining traditional ESL classes with targeted language instruction tailored to the needs of local employers, the program is helping to empower individuals and promote labor market mobility. Through its unique curriculum, The Si Se Puede Program breaks down barriers to access and provide families with the tools they need to communicate effectively. At the same time, the program is helping to bridge the gap between workers and employers by providing targeted language instruction that is directly relevant to the needs of businesses. By empowering individuals with language skills, the program helps promote equity and inclusion in the broader community. By breaking down language barriers and promoting communication, the program is creating a more cohesive and interconnected community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Overall, the Little Village ESL program is an important initiative that is making a positive impact on the lives of immigrants in the community. By providing access to targeted language instruction that is relevant to the needs of local employers, the program is helping to promote labor market mobility and empower individuals to succeed in their daily lives.
100
ADULTS SERVED
61%
STUDENTS PLACED IN JOBS
Our Supporters.
We extend our deepest gratitude to every person who has generously donated to Urban Warrior Youth Community. Whether your contribution was as modest as $1 or as significant as $200,000, we recognize and appreciate the tremendous impact of your support. It is through your generosity that we can provide care and opportunities to individuals, regardless of their circumstances.
Your gift holds the power to not only enhance and fortify our existing work in Chicago but also to fuel our organization's growth and long-term sustainability. With your support, we can continue addressing the challenges and meeting the needs of our communities. Together, we can create a lasting impact and ensure that every child, irrespective of their zip code, has the chance to play, learn, and thrive.