Certainly! Based on recent events and persistent needs in Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, Illinois, as well as Rotary’s areas of focus, here are two actionable Rotary service or fundraising opportunities, with context, suggested partners, and recommended next steps:
1. Addressing Youth Mental Health and Emotional Well-being
Context:
Many communities in Lake County, including Gurnee and Waukegan, continue to report youth mental health challenges exacerbated by the ongoing impact of social changes, academic pressures, and isolation. Though the news on July 24, 2025, is light on specifics, ongoing public conversations and recent school board meetings point to increased anxiety and stress among middle and high school students—especially after national data showed rising youth mental health concerns. Rotary’s focus on community health and supporting youth directly aligns with this need.
Potential Local Partners:
- Lake County Health Department
- The Josselyn Center (already serving Lake County’s mental health needs)
- School districts (e.g., Waukegan Community Unit School District 60, Gurnee School District 56)
- Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (provides trauma-informed youth counseling)
- YMCA Lake County
Recommended Next Steps:
- Organize a fundraising campaign or annual walk/run (e.g., “Lake County Strong Mind Walk”) in partnership with the above organizations, with proceeds used to expand school-based mental health counseling.
- Host Rotary forums or panel discussions in local schools and community centers, inviting mental health professionals for Q&A sessions with students and parents.
- Launch a youth mental health awareness art or essay contest in the fall, with winners highlighted at a Rotary-hosted community event.
- Reach out to partner organizations within the next month to gauge interest and align messaging, then identify volunteer roles and marshal Rotary members for event support.
2. Environmental Cleanup and Education along the Des Plaines River and Lake Michigan Shoreline
Context:
Lake County is home to crucial waterways that are vital for recreation, wildlife, and drinking water. Gurnee’s proximity to the Des Plaines River and Waukegan’s direct access to Lake Michigan make environmental stewardship essential. Ongoing flooding, pollution concerns, and invasive species outbreaks have been highlighted by both the Lake County Forest Preserves and local media in recent months. Protecting water quality and increasing public environmental education clearly fit Rotary’s environmental focus area.
Potential Local Partners:
- Lake County Forest Preserves
- The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO)
- Waukegan Harbor Citizens’ Advisory Group
- Friends of the Parks (Lake County chapter)
- Local school “green teams” and scout troops
Recommended Next Steps:
- Sponsor and co-organize a shoreline and river cleanup day in fall 2025, focusing on removing debris, logging data, and providing youth education booths on water quality and recycling.
- Apply for Rotary district or global grants to purchase supplies (gloves, bags, safety vests, refreshments) and promote the event broadly.
- Arrange for a local environmental scientist, such as Dr. Holly Hudson from the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, to deliver an educational talk or tour on water stewardship during the event.
- Contact environmental partners urgently in the next six weeks to select a date, secure necessary permits, and mobilize both Rotary and youth volunteers through school and community outreach.
1. Water & Beach Safety Initiative in Response to Illinois Beach State Park Drownings
Context:
Recent news reports another drowning at Illinois Beach State Park. First responders have cited a lack of equipment and manpower to handle growing emergencies, especially as beach improvements attract larger crowds. Lake County’s increasing recreational activity, coupled with dangerous heat and open water risks, underscores an urgent need for public safety and education.
Rotary Focus Area:
- Community health
- Saving mothers and children
- Supporting education (safety training)
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Park District
- Lake County Health Department
- Local police/fire rescue
- Illinois State Parks administration
- American Red Cross or equivalent water safety organizations
Next Steps:
a) Convene a meeting with Illinois Beach State Park officials and first responders to assess current needs (e.g., rescue equipment, signage, lifeguard support, volunteer first-aid training).
b) Organize a fundraising drive to purchase and donate key equipment (e.g., rescue buoys, AEDs).
c) Launch a seasonal Water Safety Campaign with workshops—featuring Red Cross trainers—on drowning prevention, CPR, and open water swimming for families and youth groups.
d) Work with the park district to develop and post multilingual, easy-to-read safety signage at high-risk areas.
e) Explore establishing or supporting a "Junior Lifeguard" program for local teens in partnership with area schools.
2. Expanding Daycare and Out-of-School Education Access in Waukegan
Context:
The Waukegan Park District is actively seeking applications for its new daycare program, with a specific mission to "give [kids] a little edge." This occurs against the backdrop of a severe housing shortage in Lake County, which is likely intensifying childcare needs for working families, especially those in transitional housing or facing economic uncertainty.
Rotary Focus Area:
- Education and literacy
- Supporting families and children
- Growing local economies
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Park District (primary)
- Local Early Childhood Education agencies
- United Way of Lake County
- Family Service of Lake County
- YWCA and other nonprofits focused on women and family support
Next Steps:
a) Meet with Waukegan Park District leadership to identify enrollment barriers, priority funding gaps, and material needs (e.g., scholarships, learning supplies, healthy snacks).
b) Host a community fundraiser or supply drive (e.g., "Backpacks & Books for Bright Futures"), targeting both financial support and educational materials donations.
c) Recruit Rotary volunteers to provide reading hours, mentorship, or special programming such as STEM workshops for children in daycare or afterschool care.
d) Develop a Rotary-funded scholarship pool to subsidize care for families experiencing housing insecurity or financial hardship.
e) Publicize opportunity to new apartments/housing developments in Waukegan to reach families in greatest need.
These projects would directly address urgent, high-visibility needs in the greater Gurnee-Waukegan area and provide meaningful, sustainable impact consistent with Rotary priorities.
Based on your summary of recent news in Lake County, particularly the achievements of local youth and noted community needs, here are two Rotary service or fundraising project opportunities aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus:
1. Youth Empowerment and Education: "Lake County Spelling Success Initiative"
Context:
Seventh grader Visharad Sathish’s success at the Lake County Regional Spelling Bee, advancing to the National Scripps Spelling Bee, highlights youth academic excellence and the power of educational enrichment. Lake County’s participation, with 73 schools involved, demonstrates both strong youth engagement and opportunities for further literacy support and recognition.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Regional Office of Education
- Local school districts and PTA/PTO groups
- Public libraries in Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County
- Scripps National Spelling Bee representatives
- Local businesses (for sponsorships)
Next Steps: - Connect with the Lake County Regional Office of Education to discuss support for spelling, literacy, and academic competitions at both the elementary and middle school level. - Launch a fundraising campaign ("Send a Speller" program) to help cover travel and participation costs for local students qualifying for national competitions (not just spelling — expand to science fairs, math olympiads, etc.), ensuring no student is held back by financial limitations. - Organize spelling/literacy workshops in partnership with local libraries and schools, inviting past champions and teachers to mentor and inspire youth. - Host a celebration and recognition event for local student achievers, raising Rotary’s profile and community engagement.
2. Community Health and Youth Well-Being: "Water Safety for All" Program
Context:
The news of another drowning at Illinois Beach State Park underscores an ongoing and critical community health and safety issue in Lake County, particularly impacting youth and families during warm weather months. There is a clear need for increased water safety education and resources.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Park District
- Local parks and recreation departments
- YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake County
- Local hospitals and health departments
- American Red Cross (for water safety training)
Next Steps: - Initiate talks with park districts (e.g., Waukegan) and the Illinois Beach State Park administration to gauge current water safety efforts and identify gaps. - Secure funding (potentially with a Rotary-hosted fundraising event or corporate sponsorship) to provide free or reduced-cost swimming lessons and water safety workshops for children and families, especially those in underserved communities. - Collaborate with the American Red Cross and YMCA to schedule “Water Smart” days in local parks and public pools, including demonstrations, safety kit giveaways, and multilingual materials. - Promote awareness campaigns before and during peak swimming months, targeting both children and their guardians.
Both projects directly reflect Rotary’s commitment to youth, education, and community health, and can be implemented collaboratively with local organizations and civic leadership.
Certainly! Drawing on the recent news and trends from Gurnee, Waukegan, and greater Lake County, here are two Rotary service or fundraising project recommendations tailored to local needs and aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus:
1. Family Relief Fundraiser and Support Network (Maternal and Child Health, Community Health)
Context:
The recent tragic accident involving the Round Lake Beach father—who lost his newborn in a fatal crash near Libertyville while preparing to bring the baby home—highlights a profound and immediate need for emergency family support, grief counseling, and community solidarity in Lake County. The proliferation of GoFundMe campaigns after such tragedies reveals both need and community will, but also points to structural gaps in robust, immediate support for families in crisis.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department (for trauma response and counseling outreach)
- Advocate Aurora Health and Northwestern Medicine facilities in Lake County
- Local counseling centers (e.g., Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, NAMI Lake County)
- Houses of worship and interfaith councils in Gurnee, Waukegan, and Grayslake
Next Steps:
a. Convene a steering committee with representatives from the above partners and Rotary volunteers.
b. Design and promote a Family Emergency Relief Fund; host fundraising dinners, walks, and online crowdfunding.
c. Organize an annual awareness and remembrance event for families affected by accidents or childhood loss, providing grief support and raising funds.
d. Develop a referral network for crisis counseling and immediate hardship support, including vouchers for essential needs, offered in coordination with area hospitals and first responders.
2. Community Youth Safe Spaces and Outreach Initiative (Youth Support, Peace and Conflict Prevention, Education)
Context:
Recent headlines in Lake County touch on youth exposure to violence—both as victims and, sadly, sometimes as offenders (cases of illegal firearms, drug arrest involving endangering a child). There’s also an uptick in overdose cases, as noted by the Gurnee resident’s guilty plea in a Grayslake overdose. These signals stress the urgent need for proactive, safe, supportive environments and programming for vulnerable youth—particularly after school hours and during summer.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan and Gurnee Park Districts (for space and programming)
- Boys & Girls Club of Lake County
- Kiddie Academy of Grayslake (existing youth programming partner)
- Local libraries and faith communities (e.g., after-school tutoring and safe zone activities)
- Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office (for diversion/prevention programs)
Next Steps:
a. Meet with park district, library, and youth center directors to identify existing programming gaps and space availability.
b. Develop a “Safe Nights” pilot: rotating weekend evening programs at community centers, offering recreation, music, life skills workshops, and peer counseling.
c. Recruit and train Rotary volunteers & community members as mentors and event leaders.
d. Secure sponsorships from area businesses and apply for Rotary district grants to underwrite programming and transportation for at-risk youth.
e. Collaborate with local police and county agencies to coordinate outreach to youth and families identified as most at risk.
Context:
The “Back to School Bash” at the Aquatic Center (Round Lake Area Park District, 860 Hart Rd, Round Lake, August 1) and the Hastings Lake YMCA Back to School Event highlight a community focus on gearing up students for the coming school year. Many families in Lake County, especially in Waukegan and Round Lake, face challenges accessing adequate school supplies and resources, further contributing to achievement gaps. Rotary’s focus on supporting education and children’s needs closely aligns here.
Potential Partners:
- Round Lake Area Park District
- Hastings Lake YMCA
- Local school districts (e.g., Round Lake Area Schools, Waukegan Public Schools)
- Library networks
- Local businesses (e.g., grocery stores, bookstores)
- Youth organizations (e.g., Boys & Girls Club)
Next Steps:
- Connect with event organizers (contact Aquatic Center and YMCA staff) and offer to coordinate a school supply drive in conjunction with their Back to School events.
- Brainstorm additional wraparound services Rotary can offer, such as free vision screenings, gently used book collections, or backpacks.
- Engage local businesses and supermarkets to host collection bins or sponsor needed supplies.
- Recruit Rotary volunteers for logistics on the day (distribution, information booths, etc).
- Promote the drive through Patch, local press, and partner newsletters to boost community participation.
Context:
The Waterfront Market at Waukegan Harbor (multiple dates: July 25, August 22) draws residents from Waukegan and nearby cities to the lakeshore—an area central to both the city’s heritage and ongoing environmental concerns (such as lake pollution and equitable access to green space). Rotary can both support community health (access to fresh produce, healthy living education) and environmental causes (Great Lakes stewardship, anti-litter campaigns).
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Park District
- Local farmers and food producers
- Community health organizations (e.g., Lake County Health Department)
- Environmental groups (e.g., Alliance for the Great Lakes, local garden clubs)
- Waukegan Main Street and Chamber of Commerce
Next Steps:
- Contact market organizers to sponsor a Rotary tent focused on community health (offering free health screenings, nutrition information, or children’s healthy cooking demos).
- Organize a lakefront clean-up project that can launch before or after the market, incentivizing volunteers with coupons for market vendors.
- Invite health-focused nonprofits and environmental educators to collaborate under the Rotary banner, amplifying reach.
- Provide reusable shopping bags and educational packets on environmental stewardship for market-goers (branded with Rotary for visibility).
- Follow up with photo documentation and press releases to increase Rotary’s impact profile and potentially attract new members or sponsors.
Both projects exemplify Rotary’s commitment to education, youth, health, and the environment while responding directly to current community activities in Lake County.
1. Community Cooling and Health Kits Initiative
Context:
Recent headlines highlight a dangerous heatwave affecting Lake County, including Gurnee and Waukegan. While some municipalities like Lake Forest have published information on official cooling centers, not all residents—especially seniors, unhoused individuals, and underserved families—have access to information, transportation, or resources to avoid heat-related illness. Such conditions also intersect with broader Rotary concerns around community health and supporting vulnerable populations.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department (already managing cooling center awareness)
- City of Waukegan and Gurnee Parks & Recreation
- Local YMCA branches and senior centers
- Faith-based groups and food pantries (e.g., COOL Ministries in Waukegan)
Next Steps: - Assess gaps by contacting local officials for lists/locations of cooling centers, determining areas/neighborhoods not easily served. - Organize volunteers to distribute "Community Cooling and Health Kits"—which could include reusable water bottles, electrolyte packets, cooling towels, and educational materials on heat safety and nearest cooling site locations. - Arrange transportation support (via Rotary volunteers or Lyft/Uber partnerships) for people unable to travel to cooling centers. - Launch an awareness campaign (flyers in English/Spanish, social media, school partnerships) on heat safety, particularly for seniors, young children, and outdoor workers. - Fundraise locally, perhaps tying donation levels to “adopt a kit” for families, and seek business sponsorship from local companies (e.g., Waukegan Tire) for supplies.
2. Youth Air Quality & Environmental Education Project
Context:
Recent wildfire smoke has led to air quality alerts in Lake Forest and throughout Lake County, affecting children's outdoor activities and overall community health. With the frequency of such alerts increasing and environmental awareness growing, there's an opportunity to both educate and protect local youth while supporting Rotary’s focus on the environment and education.
Potential Partners:
- Local school districts (Waukegan CUSD 60, Gurnee School District 56)
- Lake County Forest Preserves Environmental Education teams
- North Shore Gas or regional air quality monitoring groups
- Local scouts, youth clubs, and environmental organizations
Next Steps: - Coordinate educational workshops in schools about air pollution, particulate matter, and health impacts—ideally bringing in environmental educators and health professionals. - Raise funds to supply portable air quality monitors (and perhaps indoor air filters) to local schools and youth centers, so students can learn real-time about air pollution and make evidence-based decisions about outdoor activities. - Organize a youth-led “Clean Air Day”—a community event featuring educational booths, tree plantings, hands-on science activities, and neighborhood clean-ups to reduce local pollution. - Seek grants or matching funds from local businesses or community foundations, promoting the Rotary’s key role in supporting education and health. - Develop and distribute bilingual informational materials on how families can keep their homes and kids safer during air quality alerts.
These two projects address pressing community needs in Lake County while closely aligning with Rotary’s areas of focus, offer strong partnership potential, and provide tangible next steps for impact and engagement.
Based on recent news and community events in Gurnee, Waukegan, and broader Lake County, IL, the following Rotary service or fundraising opportunities are timely and align with Rotary’s focus areas:
1. Water and Beach Safety Education Initiative
Context:
A tragic incident recently occurred in Lake County where a 14-year-old boy drowned after being swept by a wave at a local beach. This highlights a pressing need for community-wide water safety education, especially as summer activities increase near Lake Michigan and local lakes.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department – for public health messaging
- Waukegan Park District, Gurnee Park District – for venues and outreach
- Local lifeguard associations and swim schools
- Public schools in Waukegan, Gurnee, and Libertyville
- American Red Cross (for water safety materials and trainers)
- Local fire and rescue departments
Next Steps:
1. Convene a meeting with Park Districts and Health Department to assess community needs and priorities.
2. Plan an annual “Water Safety Day” targeting families, teens, and youth, with hands-on rescue demos, CPR instruction, and free swimming lessons/clinics for at-risk children.
3. Fundraise for portable life-saving equipment (rescue throw rings, signage in Spanish/English) for local beaches, and subsidize swim lesson scholarships for low-income families.
4. Launch a bilingual water safety awareness campaign via school newsletters, social media, and summer camp partnerships.
5. Monitor progress by tracking participation and swimming lesson enrollments, and work with local authorities to measure any reduction in incidents.
2. Youth Violence and Grief Support Program
Context:
Multiple recent events—a fatal shooting of a 19-year-old in North Chicago, the tragic death of a newborn from a car accident, and high-profile criminal cases such as child pornography busts—underscore the urgent need to address youth safety, mental health, violence prevention, and grief support.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Regional Office of Education
- North Chicago and Waukegan Police Departments (community outreach divisions)
- Lake County Children's Advocacy Center
- Youth mental health organizations (e.g., Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook)
- Local churches and faith-based groups
- Funeral homes (for grief support resource distribution)
- Local schools' counseling departments
Next Steps:
1. Organize Rotary-sponsored community forums titled “Hope & Healing: Preventing Violence and Supporting Our Youth,” bringing together law enforcement, educators, counselors, and families.
2. Fundraise to provide training for educators/counselors in trauma-informed care and for after-school mentoring or grief support programs.
3. Develop an awareness campaign about available crisis resources, identify families in need through school social workers, and create resource kits that include mental health contacts, grief counseling information, and emergency hotlines.
4. Explore micro-grants or scholarships for youth impacted by tragedy for summer camps, resilience training, or extracurricular activities.
5. Evaluate program effectiveness through school and agency feedback, and adjust programs as community needs evolve.