1. Community Food Waste Reduction & Garden Education Initiative
Context:
Recent articles highlight the abundance of cherry tomatoes in the summer and discuss techniques for preserving fresh produce. This suggests strong participation in local gardening and farmer’s markets in Lake County, Gurnee, and Waukegan. However, summer produce gluts often lead to food waste if excess is not consumed or preserved. Additionally, many residents may not be aware of ways to safely preserve or extend the life of their fresh produce. This aligns with Rotary’s areas of focus on community health, the environment, and education.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Extension Office (University of Illinois Extension)
- Waukegan Park District community gardens
- Local schools with gardening programs (e.g., Woodland School District 50, Waukegan Public Schools)
- Northern Illinois Food Bank
- Local farmers markets and vendors
Next Steps:
- Partner with the Extension Office and community gardens to organize food preservation workshops, teaching blanching/canning/freezing for surplus garden produce.
- Set up a "Grow & Give" program at farmers markets: encourage home gardeners and vendors to donate excess fresh produce to local food pantries, reducing waste and fighting local food insecurity.
- Collaborate with schools to introduce or bolster garden education and food preservation curriculum, including fun, hands-on workshops for kids and families.
- Publicize through local newspapers and community organizations to maximize participation.
- Develop a Rotary-sponsored “Tomato Fest” event, combining education, produce donation, and family fun, raising funds to benefit local food banks or garden programs.
2. Youth Health & Nutrition: Fresh Food Cooking Classes
Context:
Given the coverage of healthy produce recipes and preservation techniques, and the broader concern for youth health and nutrition in suburban and urban districts like Waukegan and Gurnee, there's an opportunity to bridge nutrition education with cooking skills. Many youth (especially in underserved areas) lack regular access to fresh, healthy foods or the knowledge of how to prepare them. Rotary’s area of focus on supporting education and disease prevention makes this initiative relevant.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan to College
- Boys & Girls Club of Lake County
- Advocate Condell Medical Center (community outreach)
- Neighborhood grocers and local chefs willing to volunteer time
- School nutrition coordinators
Next Steps:
- Launch a Rotary-sponsored series of cooking classes for youth and families, focusing on easy, healthy recipes using seasonal produce (like cherry tomatoes). Sessions can be after-school, summer, or part of existing youth programs.
- Engage local chefs and nutritionists for demonstrations and mentorship.
- Provide take-home kits with basic cooking tools, recipes, and starter produce to reinforce lessons.
- Host a culminating “Healthy Meal Challenge,” where youth teams prep meals for the community; proceeds from tickets can fund Rotary’s youth wellness grants.
- Evaluate partnerships for ongoing programs in schools or clubs, ensuring sustainability and maximizing health impact.
Both opportunities build on recent community trends and needs visible in the news, directly support Rotary’s key focus areas, and create visible, positive impact in Gurnee, Waukegan, and greater Lake County.
1. Project: Support Services & Supplies for Housing-Insecure Families and Individuals
Rotary Area of Focus: Community Health and Basic Needs
Context:
Recent reporting highlighted Lake County organizations utilizing state grants to help residents on the verge of homelessness remain in their homes (“Organizations using state grant to fend off homelessness; ‘A lot of people have to make difficult choices’” – July 29, 2025). The ongoing local demand for housing stability indicates a need for both tangible supplies and supportive wraparound services, especially as families face tough financial decisions.
Potential Partners:
- PADS Lake County: Provides shelter, housing, and outreach for the homeless
- Waukegan Township: Community needs and services hub
- Lake County Community Foundation: Resources and connections for grant support
- Local schools: Identification of at-risk youth and families
Next Steps:
- Connect with PADS Lake County and Waukegan Township to identify gaps in immediate needs (e.g., hygiene kits, nonperishable food, school supplies, bus passes).
- Assemble and distribute “Home Stability Kits” at places frequented by at-risk families (food pantries, schools, community centers).
- Organize a Rotary fundraising drive (potential event: “Walk to End Homelessness in Lake County”) to support direct rental or utility assistance.
- Coordinate with local caseworkers and faith-based groups for outreach and kit dissemination.
2. Project: Back-to-School Youth Empowerment and Mental Health Fair
Rotary Area of Focus: Education and Youth Development
Context:
Thousands attended the recent Waukegan D60 Back-to-School Resource Fair, highlighting strong need for school supplies, educational support, and access to services (“Thousands attend Waukegan D60 Back-to-School Resource Fair; ‘It’s a chance for families to get what they need for the school year’” – July 30, 2025). The transition back to school is particularly stressful and can be an opportunity to address mental health and wellness while supporting learning.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 (D60)
- Youth & Family Counseling of Lake County: Comprehensive mental health programming
- Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center: School-linked health and wellness services
- Local libraries (e.g., Warren-Newport Public Library)
Next Steps:
- Meet with Waukegan D60 and health/mental health partners to plan an expanded “Back-to-School Empowerment Fair” at summer’s end.
- Secure in-kind and cash donations for student essentials (backpacks, calculators, books, pre-packed meals).
- Provide mental health check-ins, anti-bullying workshops, and onsite counseling sign-ups at the fair.
- Engage school counselors, parent-teacher organizations, and student volunteers for outreach and program delivery.
- Publicize the event through school and community channels, maximizing attendance for families in need.
1. Youth Literacy & Academic Enrichment: Regional Spelling Bee Support and Literacy Mentorship
Context:
Lake County seventh-grader Visharad Sathish will represent the area at the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, showcasing both local academic excellence and the extensive participation—over 73 schools and hundreds of students—in regional spelling competitions. This highlights both enthusiasm for literacy and the need to support ongoing educational opportunities, especially for under-resourced schools or students who may not have access to tutoring or enrichment.
Rotary Area of Focus: Basic Education and Literacy, Youth
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Regional Office of Education
- Local school districts
- Waukegan Public Library, Warren-Newport Public Library
- Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs)
- Local media (e.g., Lake County News-Sun)
Next Steps:
- Connect with the Lake County Regional Office of Education to offer Rotary volunteers as spelling bee mentors and enrichment coaches for interested students.
- Launch a Rotary-sponsored “Literacy Champion” campaign: provide books, tutoring, and workshops at local libraries or schools, especially in underserved neighborhoods.
- Organize an annual fundraiser (Spelling Bee Night, Book Drive, or Sponsor-a-Word campaign) to support literacy resources and fund travel for winning students and their families to national competitions.
- Highlight role models like Visharad Sathish in local Rotary communications to inspire participation and community pride.
2. Back-to-School & Family Resource Fair Partnership
Context:
Thousands recently attended the Waukegan D60 Back-to-School Resource Fair, signaling deep community need for academic and family support to start the school year—supplies, health checks, and resource navigation. Large turnouts and high demand show opportunities for increased impact by local civic groups, especially if many families rely on these events for school readiness.
Rotary Area of Focus: Community Health, Education and Youth
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan School District 60
- Local healthcare providers (mobile clinics, dental, vision)
- Lake County Health Department
- Food pantries (Northern Illinois Food Bank)
- Other service organizations (YWCA, Boys & Girls Club, United Way)
Next Steps:
- Meet with Waukegan D60 Back-to-School Fair organizers to identify logistics needs: e.g., volunteers, donations, event planning, resource distribution.
- Coordinate a Rotary collection drive—school supplies, new backpacks, books, hygiene products, and/or fresh food—to be distributed at future resource fairs or through school social workers.
- Offer Rotary volunteers to staff health screening tables, help with event setup, and provide resource guides for parents in multiple languages.
- Pursue grant funding to expand on-site services—such as vision screening, dental checks, vaccine clinics—and partner with healthcare providers for ongoing follow-up programs.
These projects leverage Rotary’s commitment to education, youth, and community health, while addressing immediate, well-documented needs in Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County.
1. Addressing Community Health Needs: Emergency Response & Accident Prevention Education
Context:
Recent tragic vehicle collisions in Lake County—including a fatal crash involving an elderly woman in Antioch and another accident on Route 60 at Fairfield Road with four injuries (one critical)—highlight a pressing need for increased community health education on road safety and emergency response. Local hospital capacity and the quality of first response are also recurring concerns in Lake County.
Rotary Area of Focus: Disease prevention and treatment, community health
Potential Partners:
- Advocate Health Care & Advocate Children's Hospital, Park Ridge (treating recent accident victims)
- Lake County Sheriff’s Office and local police/fire departments
- Local high schools and driver’s education programs
- Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
Next Steps:
- Collaborate with local hospitals and first responders to organize community forums and workshops on road safety, first aid, and accident prevention. Consider focusing on youth (driver’s ed students) and seniors (high-risk group).
- Develop a rotating schedule for Rotary-sponsored safety presentations at area high schools and community centers.
- Launch an awareness campaign (possibly including fundraising for safety equipment donations: car seats, first aid kits, reflective vests for first responders) at public events.
- Seek grants or matching funds from Advocate or the Rotary Foundation for training costs and materials.
- Create volunteer opportunities for Rotary members as event facilitators or first aid trainers (partner with Red Cross for CPR certification days).
2. Supporting Food Insecurity Initiatives in Response to Increased Pantry Demand
Context:
Grayslake-area food pantries—and Chicago-area pantries more broadly—are seeing a spike in visits over the past year. As inflation and economic uncertainty persist, vulnerable families, including seniors and children, are facing food insecurity at higher rates.
Rotary Area of Focus: Maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and community economic development
Potential Partners:
- Local food pantries—e.g., Avon Township Food Pantry, COOL Ministries (Waukegan), Northern Illinois Food Bank
- Grayslake Woman’s Non-Profit (featured for supporting sick patients, could cross-collaborate on wellness/food)
- School districts—Community Consolidated School District 46 (Grayslake), Waukegan Public Schools
- Local grocery stores (Jewel-Osco, Aldi, Walmart) for in-kind and monetary donations
Next Steps:
- Organize a community-wide food and fund drive, potentially timed with major Grayslake community events (e.g., Festival of the Arts).
- Partner with local schools to identify and discreetly support food-insecure children through backpack food programs or after-school snacks.
- Collaborate with local businesses for collection points and sponsorships; leverage Rotary’s network for corporate donor matches.
- Publicize the need and call for volunteers at high-traffic events; amplify through social media and local media partnerships.
- Consider a Rotary fundraising gala or benefit dinner with proceeds directly supporting local pantries and supplemental feeding programs during high-need periods such as holidays and school breaks.
These initiatives address immediate community needs in health/safety and food security while providing Rotary members meaningful ways to engage, lead, and foster local partnerships.
1. “Healthy Start” Back-to-School Wellness & Supplies Drive
Context:
The "Back to School Bash" at the Aquatic Center (Round Lake Area Park District) on August 1 highlights the seasonal need for school readiness among local children and families. In Lake County (including Gurnee, Waukegan, and Round Lake areas), recent reports indicate persistent gaps in access to basic school supplies and health resources for low-income families. Preparing students with both supplies and wellness support directly aligns with Rotary’s areas of focus: supporting education and disease prevention.
Potential Partners:
- Round Lake Area Park District (host of Back to School Bash)
- Northern Illinois Food Bank (for food/supply donations)
- Advocate Condell Medical Center or Lake County Health Department (for wellness checks/vaccination clinics)
- Local businesses (supply drives and sponsorships)
Next Steps:
- Contact Round Lake Area Park District to coordinate hosting the drive in tandem with their “Back to School Bash” (August 1).
- Recruit volunteers for collecting and distributing backpacks, school supplies, and hygiene items.
- Partner with local healthcare providers to arrange on-site health screenings, dental checkups, or vaccination stations at the event.
- Publicize the drive through Rotary, participating schools, and social media to encourage donations and reach families in need.
- Plan post-event follow-ups to assess impact and gather feedback.
2. "Green Lake County": Environmental Stewardship with Waterfront Market Events
Context:
The "Waterfront Market at Waukegan Harbor and Marina" (multiple dates in August and September) offers a recurring venue for environmental action and education. Lake Michigan’s shoreline and Waukegan Harbor remain key environmental and economic resources—yet they face litter, stormwater, and pollution concerns. Rotary can amplify environmental awareness and action by leveraging these markets (which attract area families) for engagement and stewardship, advancing Rotary’s environment focus.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Port District (hosts of the Harbor and Market)
- Lake County Forest Preserves (environmental expertise/support)
- Alliance for the Great Lakes (clean-up and educational programming)
- Local youth/scout/environmental clubs (volunteers and participants)
Next Steps:
- Liaise with Waukegan Port District to secure a booth/table at the Waterfront Market events (August 22 or September 26).
- Organize fun and educational activities: shoreline clean-up, recycling demos, native plant giveaways, and children’s projects like “Decorate a Clean Water Pledge.”
- Invite environmental experts for presentations on lake health, stormwater management, and conservation.
- Recruit local students and youth clubs to assist with projects and participate in clean-up competitions (with small incentives).
- Track volunteer and attendee engagement; share outcomes with partners and the community to build ongoing support for environmental initiatives.
1. "Clean Air & Cooling for Community Health" Initiative
Context:
Lake Forest and the surrounding Lake County area are currently facing significant environmental and public health challenges, including a recent sweltering heatwave (prompting the establishment of cooling centers) and unhealthy air quality due to Canadian wildfire smoke. Vulnerable populations—seniors, low-income families, and those with respiratory conditions—are especially at risk during these events.
Rotary Area of Focus: Community Health & Environment
Potential Partners:
- Lake Forest and Lake County Health Departments
- Local hospitals and clinics (e.g., Lake Forest Hospital, named among top hospitals locally)
- Cooling Center locations (community centers, churches)
- Environmental organizations (e.g., Lake County Forest Preserves, local Sierra Club chapter)
Next Steps:
- Needs Assessment: Hold meetings with public health officials to identify gaps in air quality education and access to cooling centers.
- Fundraising/Event: Organize an “Air & Heat Relief” fundraiser (such as a summer walk/run or outdoor festival) to raise funds for the purchase and distribution of air purifiers, box fans, and water bottles for at-risk families.
- Service Project: Coordinate volunteer shifts for Rotary members to help staff cooling centers, distribute resource flyers on managing air quality, and deliver air purifiers/fans to homebound residents.
- Ongoing Education: Host workshops on home cooling, air pollution precautions, and environmental stewardship in partnership with health/environmental agencies.
2. "Safe Harbor: Youth Empowerment & Crisis Intervention" Program
Context:
Recent local incidents—including the assault cases in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, and threats toward public officials in Waukegan—highlight concerns about domestic violence, youth safety, and the need for crisis intervention. Schools, shelters, and law enforcement in the area are likely seeking assistance in prevention, education, and direct support for at-risk youth and families.
Rotary Area of Focus: Youth & Community Safety
Potential Partners:
- Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (Gurnee-based, serving all Lake County)
- A Safe Place (domestic violence shelter and services, Waukegan)
- Lake County Sheriff’s Office & victim advocacy units
- Local school districts and afterschool programs
Next Steps:
- Collaboration: Meet with leadership at Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center and A Safe Place to identify immediate needs (e.g., counseling support, supplies for clients, educational material).
- Service Project: Launch a “Safe Harbor Kit” drive—collecting and assembling care kits with clothing, toiletries, gift cards, and literature for youth/families entering emergency shelter.
- Fundraising: Organize a community dinner or auction to raise funds for youth empowerment workshops (life skills, conflict resolution, self-defense), trauma counseling subsidies, or updated security technology for shelters/schools.
- Education/Prevention: Partner with schools to offer in-classroom programs on healthy relationships, bullying prevention, bystander intervention, and where to get help, using experienced speakers from local agencies and Rotary volunteers.
These projects leverage current issues and high community needs, align with Rotary’s mission, and present meaningful opportunities for high-visibility, high-impact service and partnership building in Gurnee, Waukegan, and greater Lake County.
1. Water Safety Education and Drowning Prevention Campaign
Context:
Recent local news reports a tragic drowning of a 14-year-old boy at Illinois Beach State Park in Lake County. With the proximity of Gurnee, Waukegan, and the broader Lake County area to Lake Michigan and numerous recreational water sites, the risk of drowning—especially among youth and non-locals—is a persistent community health concern.
Rotary Area of Focus: Saving Mothers and Children; Disease Prevention and Treatment; Youth
Potential Partners: - Lake County Health Department - Local park districts (including Illinois Beach State Park management) - Gurnee and Waukegan public schools - Local YMCA branches - Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts councils - American Red Cross—Greater Chicago Chapter
Next Steps: - Convene a planning meeting with representatives from the identified partners by mid-August. - Assess current local water safety education resources and identify gaps. - Organize free or subsidized community water safety and basic rescue skills workshops, targeting youth and families (especially in time for the next swim season). - Develop multilingual outreach materials (English/Spanish) targeted at high-risk groups and distribute at schools, community centers, and through social media. - Secure Rotary District Matching Grant funds or host a mini-fundraiser (e.g., a Duck Derby or sponsored swim-a-thon) to subsidize swim lessons for low-income children in Waukegan and Gurnee.
2. Youth Mental Health, Grief, and Trauma Support Initiative
Context:
Recent incidents, including teen fatalities due to hit-and-run collisions and drownings, have profound impacts on local youth and families in Lake County. These tragedies can contribute to community trauma, stress, and unaddressed grief, especially among peers, classmates, and affected families—yet affordable, accessible mental health resources remain limited.
Rotary Area of Focus: Disease Prevention and Treatment; Supporting Education; Youth
Potential Partners: - Lake County Health Department—Behavioral Health Services - Lake County Regional Office of Education (ROE) - Community Youth Network (CYN) Counseling Center - Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (for trauma-informed support/referrals) - Waukegan and Gurnee school districts, school counseling teams - NAMI Lake County (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Next Steps: - Initiate a Rotary-led roundtable with local youth counselors, school district social workers, and behavioral health nonprofits. - Offer a grant-funded series of community grief/trauma workshops for youth and parents—including healing arts, peer support, and education on available mental health resources. - Collaborate with schools to integrate trauma-informed care training for educators and first responders. - Sponsor a fundraising walk/run or community forum, inviting the public and local businesses to destigmatize mental health care and raise funds to expand access for underinsured youth. - Apply for a Rotary Community Grant to seed a Mental Health Youth Ambassador program for local high schools in Gurnee and Waukegan.
By directly engaging recent public health and safety challenges, these two Rotary service projects would address urgent community needs while furthering Rotary’s core values and areas of focus.