1. Rotary Culinary Youth Scholarship & Community Dinner (Education, Youth, Community Health)
Context:
An article highlighted a five-course benefit dinner honoring renowned chef Jacques Pépin, with proceeds supporting the Jacques Pépin Foundation’s work in culinary education. With culinary arts gaining visibility and culinary-related programs often under-resourced in local schools—and given Rotary’s focus on youth and education—a parallel effort can serve Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County.
Potential Partners:
- Local high schools with culinary or family consumer science programs (e.g., Waukegan High School, Warren Township High School in Gurnee)
- College of Lake County Culinary Arts Program
- Local chefs and restaurants
- United Way of Lake County
Next Steps:
- Form a Rotary committee and reach out to school district career coordinators to identify interested students and faculty.
- Invite local chefs to mentor student teams to prep and serve a community dinner—a ticketed fundraising event.
- Proceeds fund Rotary Culinary Youth Scholarships awarded to students pursuing food service/cuisine education and sponsor classroom equipment or afterschool programs.
- Highlight local produce and healthy eating, potentially working with food pantries to introduce nutrition education.
- Promote the event through partnering schools, local media, and community organizations.
2. Rotary Green Spaces & Spring Bulb Community Initiative (Environment & Community Beautification)
Context:
The Chicago Botanic Garden expert shared tips on planting bulbs and installing holiday lights. As daylight decreases, green spaces and colorful community plantings can boost morale, benefit pollinators, and beautify public spaces, especially in urban areas like Waukegan with fewer green amenities.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Park District and Gurnee Park District
- Lake County Forest Preserves
- Local garden centers (e.g., Pesche’s)
- Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts troops
- School eco-clubs
Next Steps:
- Collaborate with park districts and city beautification committees to identify priority planting locations (e.g., library entrances, parkways, community centers).
- Source spring bulbs and trees from local nurseries; consider approaching large distributors for in-kind donations.
- Organize a Rotary-led “Community Planting Day” inviting scouts, students, and residents—offering education on native pollinators and environmental stewardship.
- Pair with holiday lighting for a winter event, adding cheer as bulbs overwinter.
- Publicize through social media and local schools; feature the effort as part of Rotary’s environmental focus.
1. Community Health & Peace of Mind: "Safe Paths: Immigrant Family Support Initiative"
Context:
Recent news highlights an increase in federal immigration enforcement activity in Lake County, with reports of agents apprehending multiple residents in Waukegan, North Chicago, and Gurnee. This, coupled with hundreds recently marching in downtown Waukegan for immigrant rights, underscores a community deeply concerned with safety and family unity. At the same time, parents are embracing school district innovations like the new Waukegan schools app that enables real-time student bus tracking—demonstrating a strong desire for resources that offer security and peace of mind. Rotary’s focus on building peace, supporting disease prevention, and strengthening communities aligns with these local needs.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Public Schools
- Mano a Mano Family Resource Center
- Local Houses of Worship (e.g., Most Blessed Trinity Parish in Waukegan)
- Lake County Health Department
- Immigrant advocacy groups (ICIRR)
Next Steps:
- Host a "Know Your Rights and Family Wellness Fair": Organize a community day providing legal information, wellness checks, and counseling, leveraging partners for info booths and workshops (legal, mental health, parenting under stress, etc).
- Launch a Fundraiser for Safe Transit and Communication Tools: Raise funds to support access to the school bus tracking app for low-income families, subsidize WiFi hotspots, and ensure translation resources are available.
- Volunteer Task Force: Deploy Rotary volunteers to provide language support at schools and community events, and to train families on app usage and local resources.
2. Environment & Youth Engagement: "Green Futures: Urban Ecology & Data Center Impact Project"
Context:
News of a proposed massive Grayslake data center project—the county’s largest ever—has sparked concerns about water and energy usage. Meanwhile, local interest in the outdoors is strong, as shown by popular nature columns and community pride in environmental conservation (e.g., restoration awards for the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie). Young leaders in high school are overcoming adversity and stepping up (see story of Warren’s Corvel Hodges).
Potential Partners:
- Grayslake Greenery Initiative
- Lake County Forest Preserves
- Grayslake High Schools science/STEM clubs
- Clean Power Lake County
- Lake County Sustainability Office
Next Steps:
- Youth-Led Impact Study: Partner with local high school STEM clubs to facilitate a youth-driven impact assessment of the proposed data center. Students research and present findings on water stewardship, renewable energy options, and ecosystem impacts.
- Fund "Eco-Solution Grants": Organize an Earth Day fundraiser with proceeds going to student-led environmental projects—tree planting, pollinator gardens, water conservation tech, etc.—especially in partnership with local preserves and community gardens.
- Public Forum Series: Help sponsor and volunteer at community forums, bringing together residents, students, experts, and the developer to share concerns, learn science-based facts, and propose Rotary-branded sustainability solutions.
These initiatives allow the Rotary club to directly address current community anxieties while empowering youth, promoting environmental stewardship, and supporting family well-being.
Based on the recent news and community landscape in Gurnee, Waukegan, and broader Lake County, IL, here are two Rotary service or fundraising project recommendations aligned with Rotary’s core areas of focus (education and youth development):
1. "Champion Spellers and Scholars" Literacy & Academic Enrichment Fund
Context:
Highlighting the recent achievement of Visharad Sathish, a 12-year-old from Lake County who won the local spelling bee and is heading to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, there’s clear evidence of both local talent and enthusiasm for academic excellence among area youth. However, not all students have equal access to academic enrichment opportunities like spelling bees, math leagues, or STEM competitions due to financial or logistic barriers.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Regional Office of Education
- Local school districts (e.g., Waukegan, Gurnee, Libertyville)
- Public libraries (Waukegan Public Library, Warren-Newport Public Library)
- Area PTAs and youth service organizations
- Corporate partners (local bookstores, educational companies)
Next Steps:
1. Meet with the Lake County Regional Office of Education to discuss needs and potential collaboration.
2. Identify schools with students eager for enrichment but lacking resources for travel, materials, or coaching.
3. Develop a fundraising campaign (e.g., literacy gala, “Sponsor a Scholar” drive) to provide micro-grants for registration fees, travel expenses (especially for national competitions), and academic resources.
4. Create a volunteer mentor corps: recruit local professionals and retirees to coach and encourage students in spelling, reading, and STEM subjects.
5. Showcase success stories (like Visharad’s) at Rotary meetings and through local media to build community pride and continued support.
2. "Unity Over Fear" – Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Children and Families
Context:
With hundreds marching in Waukegan in support of immigrants and increased ICE activity in Lake County, immigrant and refugee families face uncertainty, stress, and barriers to accessing education, legal resources, and health services. Children in these families are particularly vulnerable, often struggling to succeed in school or access basic community resources.
Potential Partners:
- Community organizations (e.g., Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, HACES in Waukegan)
- Local school districts (ESL/bilingual coordinators)
- Legal aid groups (NIJC, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights)
- Faith-based organizations and houses of worship
- Local health clinics and mental health providers
Next Steps:
1. Convene a forum or roundtable with immigrant community leaders and relevant service providers to assess immediate needs (education access, mental health, legal help).
2. Launch a Rotary volunteer initiative to provide tutoring, mentorship, and translation services for immigrant and refugee youth.
3. Organize a fundraising campaign (e.g., multicultural community fair) specifically to support emergency assistance, legal workshops, or after-school programs for affected families.
4. Develop informational resource kits (in multiple languages) about local schools, rights, and available health/legal services.
5. Host public unity events to promote inclusivity and support for all community members, reinforcing a "unity over fear" message.
Both initiatives are rooted in current news, support Rotary’s commitment to education and youth, and respond to the lived needs and achievements of Lake County’s residents.
1. Food Security Initiative – Supporting Local Food Pantries
Context:
Recent local coverage notes a spike in visits to Chicago-area food pantries, indicating increased food insecurity in Lake County, including Gurnee and Waukegan. Many families are experiencing hardship, with food pantries struggling to meet growing demand. This aligns directly with Rotary’s “Community Health” and “Fighting Disease” areas of focus.
Potential Partners:
- Northern Illinois Food Bank (already serving Lake County)
- COOL Ministries Food Pantry (Waukegan)
- Warren Township Food Pantry (Gurnee)
- Local grocery stores (Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s)
Next Steps:
- Meet with local food pantry coordinators to assess most urgent needs (e.g., staple foods, hygiene products).
- Organize a Rotary-led community food drive, potentially partnering with area schools or businesses for wider reach.
- Apply for Rotary grants to amplify purchasing power for bulk food buys.
- Host an awareness or fundraising event—such as a “Fill the Truck” day at a local grocery store—inviting community members to donate in person.
- Engage Rotary volunteers in regular “packing” shifts at area food banks.
2. Anti-Hate/Youth Empowerment Education Program
Context:
Recent reporting mentions a local student sentenced for a hate crime at a Grayslake college. Rising polarization and incidents like this highlight a need for anti-bias education and youth empowerment around diversity and inclusion, aligning with Rotary’s “Supporting Education” and “Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention” areas of focus.
Potential Partners:
- College of Lake County (Grayslake campus)
- Local high schools (Warren Township, Waukegan High)
- Not In Our Town (anti-hate nonprofit)
- Lake County United
- Local faith-based organizations
Next Steps:
- Reach out to College of Lake County’s diversity office and area schools to offer support for anti-bias and inclusion workshops.
- Collaborate with national organizations (Not In Our Town) to bring proven anti-hate curriculum and workshops to students and faculty.
- Explore co-hosting a youth leadership summit or speaker series addressing the impact of hate, the importance of bystander intervention, and skills for inclusive leadership.
- Seek funding or matching grants through Rotary International or the local district.
- Offer Rotarians as mentors or sponsors of student-driven diversity campaigns or community projects.
These two opportunities—addressing immediate food insecurity, and proactively supporting safe, inclusive youth communities—would serve urgent needs in Gurnee, Waukegan, and wider Lake County, while bringing together Rotary’s resources, values, and network for maximum positive impact.
1. Community Health and Wellness: Support and Partnership with the Neuro Universe Celebration & Resource Fair (Vernon Hills, Nov. 15, 2025)
Context:
The upcoming Neuro Universe Celebration & Resource Fair in Vernon Hills highlights a growing public focus on neurodiversity, mental health, and wellness in Lake County. Following national trends, local families increasingly seek support, information, and community for individuals with autism, ADHD, and other neurological differences. The need for accessible resources and inclusive environments remains significant. This aligns with Rotary’s focus on community health and supporting marginalized populations.
Potential Partners: - Neuro Universe (fair organizers) - Local schools (e.g., Grayslake North High School, Vernon Hills High School) - Regional healthcare providers (Lake County Health Department, Advocate Condell) - Local mental health non-profits (NAMI Lake County) - YMCA and community centers
Next Steps: - Contact Neuro Universe organizers to offer Rotary volunteers for the event (logistics, check-in, distributing resource guides). - Sponsor a session or booth on mental health first aid or inclusive education strategies for families and professionals. - Organize a follow-up Rotary-hosted parent education night in Gurnee or Waukegan, featuring experts from the resource fair. - Explore longer-term partnerships to fund resource kits/libraries in public spaces or schools for families with special needs children.
2. Youth Leadership and Cultural Enrichment: Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) Workshop & Future Programming (Grayslake North High School, Oct. 23, 2025)
Context:
The Day of the Dead Collage Workshop at Grayslake North High School celebrates cultural heritage and creative expression, engaging diverse local youth around identity, history, and the arts. With Lake County youth seeking more inclusive and enriching out-of-school experiences, this program exemplifies opportunities to foster leadership, cross-cultural understanding, and the arts—especially important as public schools face funding challenges for extracurriculars. Rotary can help scale similar initiatives across Gurnee and Waukegan.
Potential Partners: - Grayslake North High School art faculty and student clubs - Local Latino heritage organizations (Mano a Mano Family Resource Center) - Gurnee and Waukegan Park Districts and libraries - Lake County Arts Council
Next Steps: - Reach out to Grayslake North staff to sponsor art supplies for the event and provide Rotary volunteers to mentor or help run the workshop. - Coordinate with Mano a Mano or local libraries to host additional multicultural workshops or afterschool programs in Gurnee and Waukegan. - Develop a Rotary Youth Art & Leadership Award, presented at a community event or art fair, recognizing student projects that promote diversity, inclusion, and community service. - Plan for an annual fundraiser (art auction, cultural fair) supporting youth arts programs and cultural education in underserved Lake County schools.
1. Community Education and Empowerment Workshop Series: Know Your Rights & Civic Engagement
Context:
Recent news highlighted a concerning incident where Border Patrol agents detained Dariana Fajardo, a U.S. citizen, near Waukegan City Hall, prompting intervention from Mayor Ann Taylor. This reflects growing local anxieties about immigration enforcement and civil liberties, particularly in Waukegan (which has a diverse population) and Gurnee. There is a clear need for trustworthy, nonpartisan education on residents’ legal rights, as well as increased civic engagement for all ages. This aligns with Rotary’s focus on supporting education and promoting peace.
Potential Partners: - League of Women Voters of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff, who are already active with inclusive events. - Waukegan Public Library, which regularly serves immigrant and multilingual communities. - Local legal aid nonprofits such as Prairie State Legal Services. - Municipal partners, such as the office of Mayor Ann Taylor (Waukegan).
Next Steps: - Reach out to the League of Women Voters, the Waukegan Public Library, and Prairie State Legal Services to propose co-hosted “Know Your Rights” and civic engagement workshops (in multiple languages, if possible). - Seek city endorsement and space (such as local libraries, city hall, or community centers). - Organize Rotary volunteers to recruit speakers, facilitate sessions, provide materials, and offer translation. - Publicize workshops via local news, social media, and flyers at schools, churches, and businesses. - Assess community impact after initial sessions for opportunities to expand.
2. Youth Health & Fitness Initiative: “Run for Wellness” Charity Event
Context:
The community is celebrating remarkable athletic achievements (Lake Forest/Lake Bluff runners participating in the Chicago Marathon). However, many youth in Lake County, especially in areas like Waukegan and Gurnee, lack regular access to healthy recreation and organized fitness opportunities—further compounded by post-pandemic challenges to youth mental and physical health. Organizing a Rotary-led fitness event both raises funds for youth wellness programs and inspires local participation, connecting with Rotary’s priorities of disease prevention and supporting youth development.
Potential Partners: - Local schools and youth organizations (e.g., Boys & Girls Club of Lake County, Woodlands Academy for engagement, especially with their recent accolades). - Health care providers, such as Advocate Condell Medical Center or the Lake County Health Department, to promote health screenings and resources at the event. - Local businesses (Waukegan Tire, The Episcopal Preschool) to sponsor the event or provide in-kind donations. - Engage marathon participants from the area to serve as “Run Ambassadors.”
Next Steps: - Convene a planning committee with representatives from schools, youth clubs, and health professionals. - Secure a date and route (such as local parks or through downtown Waukegan/Gurnee). - Approach potential sponsors and recruit local athlete ambassadors. - Promote event sign-ups through schools, social media, and local media. - Integrate wellness education components: pre-race warmups, mental health info booths, free screenings. - Use funds raised to provide scholarships for youth sports camps, equipment, or sponsor free programming in high-need neighborhoods.
These projects respond directly to recent events and regionally identified needs, leveraging Rotary’s network for broad community impact.
1. Community Resilience Project: Domestic Violence & Child Safety Advocacy
Context:
A recent news story in Libertyville reported a serious incident involving a stolen vehicle with a 2-year-old inside and an attack on the child’s pregnant mother. Fortunately, the woman survived and delivered her baby safely. This headline, along with ongoing concerns about family safety and child welfare in Lake County, highlights a clear community need: supporting victims of domestic violence and advocating for child safety.
Rotary Area of Focus: Saving Mothers and Children / Peace and Conflict Prevention
Potential Partners: - A Safe Place (Lake County’s leading advocate and shelter for domestic violence victims) - Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center - Local law enforcement (Libertyville and Gurnee Police Departments) - Pediatricians/OB-GYNs at area hospitals (Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan)
Next Steps: - Arrange a meeting with A Safe Place and the Children’s Advocacy Center to learn about current needs and gaps in services. - Organize an awareness and fundraising event (“Walk for Safe Families” or “Breakfast for Hope”) to raise funds for emergency shelter, counseling, and educational programs. - Engage local schools and pediatric clinics via resource drives (e.g., collecting diapers, formula, or winter clothing for affected families). - Recruit local businesses to sponsor the event or match donations. - Develop a social media campaign highlighting resources for those in crisis, with contact numbers and safe escape plans. - Seek involvement from the Lake County Sheriff’s or Police victim advocates for training Rotary members on recognizing and responding to family violence.
2. Mental Health & Suicide Prevention for Youth and Veterans
Context:
The recent tragic deaths of two people at the Great Lakes Naval Station has put a spotlight on urgent mental health needs among both local youth and the veteran/naval community in Lake County. The stress on military families and area youth, exacerbated by national and local challenges, indicates a need for education, outreach, and support services to prevent suicide and improve mental health outcomes.
Rotary Area of Focus: Disease Prevention and Treatment / Supporting Education
Potential Partners: - Lake County Health Department—Behavioral Health Services - Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation - NAMI Lake County - Schools (Waukegan High School, Warren Township High School) - Lovell Federal Health Care Center (serving veterans)
Next Steps: - Partner with NAMI or the Veterans Foundation to host a Mental Health First Aid training for community leaders, teachers, and parents. - Launch a “Check-In Week” campaign in schools and among veterans, encouraging peers to look out for one another—providing education on warning signs and available resources. - Organize a fundraising dinner or silent auction to benefit local mental health and suicide prevention programs. - Work with the Lake County Health Department to create resource handouts translated into Spanish and other common languages in the area. - Host a panel forum open to the public, featuring mental health professionals, affected families, and advocates sharing personal stories, with information on accessing help. - Feature a quarterly newsletter or social media series highlighting positive coping strategies, community resources, and Rotary’s commitment to mental wellness.
Both projects would demonstrate Rotary’s commitment to urgent, local issues while providing clear avenues for community impact and partnership.