1. Community Health: Mental Health & Violence Prevention Support
Context:
Lake County and surrounding communities have been impacted by recurring violence, including recent mass shooting events referenced in editorial commentary. This highlights a heightened need for mental health support, violence prevention education, and community resilience programs. Residents in Gurnee and Waukegan, in particular, could benefit from accessible mental health resources and proactive initiatives to support youth and families affected by trauma.
Potential Partners:
- NAMI Lake County (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center
- Local school districts (e.g., Waukegan Community Unit School District 60, Gurnee School District 56)
- Law enforcement & local youth organizations (e.g., Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake County)
Next Steps:
- Convene a planning meeting with NAMI Lake County and the Lake County Health Department to identify current gaps in community mental health resources.
- Develop a Rotary-sponsored “Community Resilience Forum,” offering free workshops on coping skills, trauma support, and violence prevention for youth and families.
- Organize a mental health awareness fundraiser or volunteer support drive, funding counseling services for students and families in Waukegan and Gurnee schools.
- Coordinate with school partners and local organizations to ensure culturally competent and accessible resources.
2. Education & Youth: Back-to-School Preparedness and Nutritional Support
Context:
As the 2025-26 school year approaches, many families in Lake County continue to face economic hardship, exacerbating challenges for students who need school supplies and healthy meals. Ensuring all students start the year equipped––and nourished––directly aligns with Rotary’s commitments to education, youth empowerment, and community health.
Potential Partners:
- Northern Illinois Food Bank (Lake County distribution center)
- Bernie's Book Bank (based in Lake Bluff, serving Lake County)
- Gurnee and Waukegan school districts and PTA/PTOs
- Local faith-based organizations and community centers
Next Steps:
- Launch a Rotary “Back-to-School Bash” event, collecting and distributing school supplies and children’s books to underserved students in partnership with Bernie's Book Bank and local schools.
- Include a free, healthy meal kit or weekend food supplement bag for families, in collaboration with Northern Illinois Food Bank.
- Recruit volunteers for supply collection and distribution, leveraging partnerships with business sponsors and interfaith coalitions.
- Publicize the event through school newsletters, community boards, and local media for maximum reach.
These two initiatives reflect immediate, high-impact opportunities for Rotary engagement in response to local news and ongoing community needs in Lake County, especially in Gurnee and Waukegan.
1. Project: Literacy and Learning Support for Youth & Teens in Waukegan
Context:
The grand opening of the Waukegan Public Library’s newly renovated Youth & Teen Services Department presents a strong opportunity for Rotary to support youth education and literacy. The space is designed to “spark imagination, collaboration and a lifelong love of learning”—aligning perfectly with Rotary’s focus on education and literacy. Engaging young people and providing resources, mentoring, or expanded programming can amplify the library’s investment and benefit local families.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Public Library (Director: [Find current director, e.g., Amanda Civitello as of previous years])
- Local school districts (Waukegan Community Unit School District 60)
- Waukegan Park District (for summer/after-school programming)
- Lake County Community Foundation
Next Steps:
- Meet with library leadership to assess needs: after-school homework help, STEAM programming, book drives, reading buddies, etc.
- Organize Rotary volunteer days to support tutoring, reading circles, or creative workshops in the new youth space.
- Develop a fundraising campaign for books, technology (Chromebooks/tablets), or furnishing/expanding creative kits for the library.
- Promote the partnership through joint library events and Rotary communications, inviting community members—especially parents and teens—to participate or volunteer.
- Seek grant opportunities through Rotary International for literacy, learning, or youth engagement.
2. Project: Support for Military/Veteran Families at North Chicago Fisher House
Context:
The recent opening of the Fisher House in North Chicago—a residence for military and veteran families receiving care at the nearby Lovell Federal Health Care Center—underscores the ongoing need to care for those who support America’s service members. The Fisher House provides no-cost stay, but families often need additional practical, emotional, and financial support during stressful medical episodes.
Potential Partners:
- Fisher House Foundation and the North Chicago Fisher House Manager ([Find current name/contact])
- Lovell Federal Health Care Center
- Local veteran organizations (e.g., Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission)
- Military family support nonprofits (e.g., Operation Homefront, USO)
- Gurnee and Waukegan business community for sponsorships/donations
Next Steps:
- Connect with Fisher House management to identify immediate needs: meal programs, transportation vouchers, welcome kits, or respite activities for children.
- Organize a Rotary fundraising drive to provide essential supplies, gift cards, or family support grants for guests.
- Arrange for volunteers to periodically prepare dinners, host holiday events, or mentor kids staying at the house.
- Collaborate with local businesses and restaurants for in-kind donations or sponsorships (e.g., restaurant meal nights, hygiene supply drives).
- Publicize the program’s impact and encourage community service for military families via local media and Rotary events.
Rotary Service/Fundraising Project #1: Youth Literacy and Academic Excellence Initiative
Context:
Lake County recently celebrated seventh-grader Visharad Sathish’s victory at the Regional Spelling Bee, earning him a place at the National Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Participation was drawn from 73 local schools and hundreds of students, demonstrating robust youth engagement and community pride in academic achievement. However, this also highlights the need to support academic, enrichment, and literacy opportunities for the wider student population, ensuring many more can enjoy such success. This project aligns with Rotary’s “Education and Literacy” focus.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Regional Office of Education
- Local School Districts (e.g., Waukegan, Gurnee)
- Waukegan Public Library (especially with their recently renovated youth services area)
- Literacy Volunteers of Lake County
- Local Parent-Teacher Associations
Next Steps:
1. Contact the Lake County Regional Office of Education to discuss needs and opportunities for literacy or enrichment program support, e.g., sponsoring additional spelling/writing competitions, supplying books, or training volunteer tutors.
2. Collaborate with Waukegan Public Library’s youth services staff to host reading challenges or after-school programming, leveraging their new space.
3. Invite inspirational sessions or small-group mentoring featuring past spelling bee champions like Visharad Sathish to motivate younger students.
4. Plan fundraising events (e.g., “Spelling Bee Night” for adults, read-a-thons) to generate resources for books, software, and enrichment clubs.
5. Develop measurable goals and secure Rotary volunteers to support new or existing programs.
Rotary Service/Fundraising Project #2: Youth Enrichment through STEAM and the Arts Festival
Context:
With events like the Waukegan Theatre Festival gaining attention, and the Waukegan Public Library’s newly renovated youth services area designed to “spark imagination, collaboration, and a lifelong love of learning,” there is momentum and community interest around youth creative enrichment. Many families in Lake County face financial barriers to enrichment opportunities outside of school. A hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and Arts Festival would reinforce Rotary’s focus on youth development and education, while also supporting local artists, educators, and STEM professionals.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Public Library (youth services team)
- Waukegan Theatre Festival organizers
- Local school STEAM clubs or teachers
- Gurnee Park District and community centers
- Lake County arts organizations
- Local businesses (for sponsorship)
- College of Lake County (student volunteers and faculty)
Next Steps:
1. Convene a planning meeting with library leadership, school district arts/STEM liaisons, and festival organizers to scope event logistics and desired outcomes.
2. Design a day-long or weekend “Youth STEAM and Arts Festival” featuring hands-on workshops, demonstrations, short performances, and showcase booths for student projects—held at the library, a local school, or community center.
3. Recruit local artists, STEAM professionals, and students to offer workshops or demonstrations, and seek Rotary volunteer involvement for logistics and programming.
4. Develop a fundraising strategy—e.g., local business sponsorships, admission donation, silent auction of youth artwork—to cover material costs and fund ongoing enrichment programming for underserved youth.
5. Promote event across Lake County via Rotary networks, library channels, and partners to maximize participation and community impact.
Context:
A recent news report highlighted that "Chicago-Area Food Pantries See Spike In Visits Over Past Year," with Grayslake and surrounding Lake County communities facing increased food insecurity. Local pantries are struggling to keep up with demand, especially during the summer when children are out of school and don’t have access to school meal programs.
Rotary Areas of Focus: Community Health, Basic Needs, Education
Potential Partners:
- Northern Illinois Food Bank
- Avon Township & Waukegan Township Food Pantries
- Grayslake Park District (for event venues and local awareness)
- Local grocery stores (Jewel-Osco, Aldi, Mariano’s in Gurnee/Waukegan)
- School Districts 121 (Waukegan) and 46 (Grayslake) for outreach
Next Steps:
- Organize a community-wide food drive, targeting both non-perishable donations and funds to purchase fresh produce.
- Partner with registered dietitians from local clinics to offer nutrition workshops during food distribution events, focusing on affordable healthy eating.
- Utilize social media and local news partners (like Patch) to promote the drive and recruit volunteers.
- Explore grant opportunities through Rotary and local businesses to supplement food supplies and educational materials.
- Schedule the food drive to align with a community event (such as the 44th Annual Festival of the Arts in Grayslake) for broad exposure and partnership opportunities.
Context:
There has been an increase in fatal accidents in Lake County, including recent fatal hit-and-runs and the tragic death of a teen at a Grayslake dental office (unclear if traffic-related, but part of an alarming trend of youth tragedies). Multiple local news stories also highlight pedestrian and traffic incidents. This points to an urgent need for community safety and youth-focused interventions.
Rotary Areas of Focus: Community Health, Youth, Peace and Conflict Prevention
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Sheriff’s Office
- Gurnee and Waukegan Police Departments
- Grayslake Central & Waukegan High Schools (Student Councils, Peer Leadership Programs)
- Lake County Health Department (for safe driving workshops)
- Local insurance agencies (for sponsorship and educational support)
- IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) “Drive Safe” campaign
Next Steps:
- Develop a “Safe Streets” education and awareness campaign focused on youth drivers and pedestrian safety, including a spring/summer youth summit and public service announcements.
- Partner with schools to host assemblies, hands-on workshops (e.g., mock crash re-enactments, distracted/drunk driving simulators), and distribute reflective gear for night-time visibility.
- Work with local police and volunteers to conduct crosswalk safety checks and helmet fittings for bike/scooter riders.
- Pursue Rotary District and community grants to subsidize educational materials and incentives (like scholarships or bike helmets for participants).
- Measure impact via pre- and post-campaign surveys of students, and monitor local traffic statistics in partnership with law enforcement.
Both initiatives address urgent, locally relevant needs, leverage Rotary’s strengths, and build valuable community partnerships in Lake County.
Potential Partners:
- Exchange Club of Gurnee
- Waukegan Main Street/Waukegan Park District
- Lake County Health Department
- Advocate Aurora Health
- Local mental health resource groups (e.g., NAMI Lake County)
Next Steps:
- Reach out to event organizers (Exchange Club, Waukegan Harbor/Marina) to secure booth space for the relevant dates.
- Recruit volunteers from the Rotary Club and partner organizations to staff the booth.
- Curate and distribute information on free or reduced-cost local screenings, immunizations, healthy lifestyle resources, and mental health hotlines.
- Incorporate interactive health activities for youth (e.g., simple fitness games, healthy snack making) to engage families.
- Explore additional fundraising by hosting a raffle or healthy snack sale at the booth, with proceeds supporting local youth health programs.
Potential Partners:
- Round Lake Area Park District
- Lake County Forest Preserves
- Local schools’ environmental clubs
- Lake County Stormwater Management Commission
- Local Scout troops
Next Steps:
- Contact the Round Lake Area Park District to offer volunteer support and an educational activity during the grand opening.
- Develop and host a “Junior Eco-Stewards” program as part of the opening, which could include: native seed planting, hands-on recycling demonstrations, pollinator garden workshops, and community science projects (e.g., wildlife or plant surveys in the park).
- Provide materials and collect sign-ups for an ongoing youth stewardship club supported by Rotary volunteers.
- Seek sponsorships or small grants to fund project supplies.
- Share stories and photos from the event to raise awareness for Rotary and to attract more community youth to future environmental service projects.
Certainly! Here are two Rotary service or fundraising opportunities based on recent events in Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL, and aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus:
1. Community Health and Environment: "Clean Air & Cooling Relief Initiative"
Context:
Recently, Lake Forest experienced an Air Pollution Action Day with hazardous air quality levels. The area has also faced a sweltering heatwave, with local officials directing residents to cooling centers. These events highlight the urgent need for both short-term relief (access to clean air and cooling for vulnerable populations) and longer-term action to mitigate environmental hazards and promote community health.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department
- Local hospitals (e.g., Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital)
- Local community centers and houses of worship serving as cooling centers
- Environmental groups such as Lake County Forest Preserves
- Local HVAC companies or retailers (for donations of air purifiers or fans)
Next Steps:
- Organize a fundraising campaign to purchase and distribute box fans, air purifiers, and reusable masks to residents most at risk (elderly, asthmatics, low-income families).
- Collaborate with health authorities to support and publicize cooling centers, offering Rotary volunteers as helpers or transportation providers for those needing assistance to access these centers.
- Launch educational workshops on reducing air pollution and coping with extreme heat, in partnership with environmental organizations and public health officials.
- Seek sponsorships from local businesses for equipment donations or to underwrite the workshops and public awareness campaign.
- Coordinate a volunteer day for Rotarians and partners to distribute materials and check in on homebound individuals during extreme weather alerts.
2. Youth and Education: "Safe Streets, Safe Kids—Motorcyclist & Pedestrian Safety Project"
Context:
A recent fatal hit-and-run involving a 19-year-old motorcyclist in Beach Park and reports of reckless driving have brought street safety concerns to the forefront in Lake County. These stories highlight a need for community education around traffic safety, especially for youth and vulnerable road users, aligning with Rotary’s focus areas of youth and community safety.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments
- Schools in Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake Forest
- Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
- Motorcycle safety organizations (e.g., ABATE of Illinois)
- Local bike shops and driving schools
Next Steps:
- Launch a school- and community-based awareness campaign addressing safe driving, pedestrian, and cycling practices, including assemblies, educational materials, and safety fairs.
- Organize safety workshops with police officers and transport officials, focusing on teens and new drivers (including both automobile and motorcycle licensing and best practices).
- Create and distribute "Street Smart Kits"—with reflective accessories, small lights, and bike helmets—to students in underserved schools.
- Host a fundraising event (e.g., community walk/run or motorcycle rally) to raise awareness and funds for safety equipment or scholarships for youth driving courses.
- Engage local media (such as Patch and local radio) to amplify the campaign, and encourage businesses to sponsor “Safe Streets” signage or events.
Both initiatives address current local challenges, build community resilience, and offer strong partnership opportunities aligned with Rotary’s mission and areas of focus.
1. Youth and Family Safety Awareness Campaign (Community Health, Youth Development)
Context:
Recent tragic incidents in Lake County—such as the fatal hit-and-run killing a 19-year-old in Beach Park, a reckless homicide charge following the death of a 5-year-old due to cannabis-impaired driving, and a news story about a dad leaving an injured child in a bar—underscore urgent needs for proactive community safety and youth-focused intervention. These events highlight gaps in road safety awareness, responsible driving education, and general youth safety in the community.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Sheriff’s Department
- Gurnee and Waukegan Police Departments
- Lake County Health Department
- Local Schools (e.g., Warren Township High School, Waukegan High School)
- MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), Safe Kids Worldwide
Next Steps:
- Convene a meeting with law enforcement and school liaisons to identify key risk areas/topics (impaired driving, teen safety, pedestrian/bicycle safety, emergency response).
- Develop a series of community forums and school presentations featuring law enforcement, survivors, and peer facilitators.
- Create a matching fundraising campaign to provide free safety kits (helmets, reflective gear, first aid kits) and subsidize driving education for at-risk youth.
- Launch a parents’ night with child safety experts (CPR training, substance use education) and distribute resource guides.
- Publicize events through school newsletters, municipal websites, and local media (e.g., Patch).
2. Environmental Cleanliness and Waterway Health Initiative (Environment, Community Health)
Context:
The issue of excessive goose droppings in Libertyville and neighboring communities isn’t just a nuisance: it’s a growing public health and environmental problem. Goose feces can harbor pathogens, and in the context of recent bird flu concerns, focus on safe, healthy parks and waterways is increasingly relevant for families and the community. With busy community parks and increasing concern from residents, this is timely and highly visible.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Forest Preserves
- Libertyville Parks & Recreation Department
- Local environmental organizations (SWALCO, Lake County Audubon Society)
- Local schools, Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts troops
Next Steps:
- Organize a large-scale "Parks & Waterways Clean-Up Day" inviting families, youth groups, and residents, with a focus on areas impacted by goose droppings and other litter.
- Host educational workshops during and after the event on wildlife management, safe co-existence with local species, and prevention of disease spread (led by experts from the county health department and Audubon Society).
- Fundraise for park amenities such as signage, waste bins, boot scrubbers, and native plantings that can help deter geese from congregating in high-use areas.
- Explore grants or in-kind support from local landscape companies (e.g., Javier Huerta’s J. Brick Paving & Landscaping) for environmental improvement projects.
- Encourage youth/scout troop involvement to fulfill service hour requirements and develop environmental stewardship.
Both projects allow the local Rotary club to address immediate needs while furthering Rotary’s twin priorities of youth development and community health/environmental sustainability.