1. Community Grief Support and Mental Health Initiative
Context:
A recent submission from St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church highlighted the challenges families face handling grief during the holidays, especially after recent losses. The emotional toll of bereavement can be significant during festive times, and there is clear recognition in the community of a need for accessible resources to support families in Gurnee, Waukegan, and broader Lake County.
Rotary Area of Focus: Community Health (Mental Health & Wellbeing)
Potential Partners:
- St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
- Local mental health organizations (e.g., Lake County Health Department Behavioral Health Services)
- Community counseling centers
- School districts (for youth bereavement support)
Next Steps:
- Reach out to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church to discuss collaboration on public grief support events or workshops.
- Partner with local mental health professionals and counselors to offer free or low-cost grief support groups for adults and children, especially during peak holiday periods.
- Develop a resource guide or online hub listing local grief and mental health services, to be promoted in schools, libraries, and community centers.
- Organize a fundraising campaign (e.g., community breakfast, walk-a-thon, silent auction) with proceeds directed towards scholarships for grief counseling or program costs, ensuring equitable access for low-income families.
- Secure volunteers from the Rotary Club to assist with logistics, promotion, and ongoing program support.
2. Pumpkin Composting and Environmental Education Campaign
Context:
There is heightened awareness around improper pumpkin disposal after Halloween, with advisories from the Forest Preserve District regarding the harm dumped pumpkins do to local habitats. SCARCE and other groups promote annual "Pumpkin Smash" composting events to divert organic waste from landfills and educate the community about environmental stewardship.
Rotary Area of Focus: Environment
Potential Partners:
- SCARCE (School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education)
- Lake County Forest Preserve District
- Local schools and youth groups (e.g., Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts)
- Municipal public works departments
Next Steps:
- Connect with SCARCE and the Forest Preserve District to support and expand Pumpkin Smash events in Gurnee, Waukegan, and other Lake County communities.
- Mobilize Rotary volunteers to assist at compost drop-off sites; promote these events via social media, flyers, and school communications.
- Organize an educational campaign or contest for local schools on composting and native habitat preservation, encouraging student participation and providing prizes sponsored by the Rotary Club.
- Explore creating grant-funding opportunities for schools and youth groups developing their own environmental projects (e.g., composting bins, school gardens).
- Evaluate event impact and gather community feedback to shape future environmental initiatives in partnership with local agencies.
Certainly! Based on your summary of recent news and themes from Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL, here are two Rotary service or fundraising opportunities that align with Rotary’s areas of focus (community health, youth, and education):
1. Youth Mental Health Awareness & Resource Fair
Context:
There is significant community concern regarding student well-being, highlighted by recent controversies involving local educators and allegations of inappropriate behavior (such as the District 113 teacher investigation). This underscores the need for accessible youth mental health support and education while also reflecting broader national trends in mental health challenges among students.
Potential Partners:
- Local school districts (e.g., Warren Township High School, Waukegan Community Unit School District 60)
- Lake County Health Department
- Organizations such as NAMI Lake County (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- Youth clubs (Boys & Girls Club of Lake County)
- Local counseling centers and hospitals (Advocate Condell, Lake Behavioral Hospital)
Next Steps:
- Convene an initial planning meeting with school counselors, healthcare providers, and youth organizations to identify pressing issues and available resources.
- Organize a Mental Health Awareness & Resource Fair to provide parents, students, and educators information on support services, crisis response, and safe reporting of concerns.
- Secure sponsorships/donations from local businesses to cover costs.
- Incorporate breakout sessions on topics like digital safety, stress-reduction techniques, and how to report harmful behavior safely.
- Schedule the event for early 2026 to maximize community engagement and impact.
2. Lake County Clean-Up & Environmental Education Day
Context:
With continued suburban growth, environmental sustainability remains a local issue. Gurnee, Waukegan, and surrounding towns face rising litter, stormwater runoff, and challenges with maintaining healthy public green spaces. Community-based environmental action directly supports Rotary’s focus on the environment and can serve as an entry point for youth and families to learn about stewardship.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Forest Preserves
- Local municipalities’ public works departments (Gurnee, Waukegan)
- School environmental clubs (Warren Township High, Waukegan High Eco Clubs)
- Local businesses (Home Depot Gurnee, Great Lakes Credit Union)
- Scout troops and youth community groups
Next Steps:
- Coordinate with forest preserve and public works contacts to identify high-need locations for clean-up.
- Develop an educational component (workshops or booths on recycling, native plants, water conservation).
- Recruit volunteers through schools, churches, and civic organizations.
- Launch a fundraising drive to purchase clean-up supplies, native plants, and reusable water bottles for participants.
- Hold the event during spring 2026, coinciding with Earth Day to boost visibility, and document the impact for local publicity.
These two opportunities address timely local concerns, promote Rotary’s service ideals, and invite cross-sector collaboration in Lake County, IL.
1. Youth Literacy and Academic Achievement: Spelling Bee Celebration and Literacy Outreach
Context:
Seventh-grader Visharad Sathish from Lake County just won the regional spelling bee and is heading to the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee. This achievement highlights a strong culture of academic excellence and the potential to inspire more local students. However, many children in Lake County communities, including parts of Waukegan and Gurnee, face challenges in literacy and may not have access to enrichment programs.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Regional Office of Education
- Local libraries (Waukegan Public Library, Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee)
- Local school districts
- Scripps National Spelling Bee (for educational resources)
- Community youth organizations (e.g., Boys & Girls Club of Lake County)
Next Steps:
1. Organize a "Celebrate Literacy" event honoring Visharad Sathish, featuring spelling demonstrations, family reading activities, and guest speakers to inspire younger students.
2. Launch a Rotary literacy outreach program, distributing books and hosting reading workshops in underserved schools/neighborhoods.
3. Establish an ongoing Rotary-funded scholarship or grant to help students participate in academic competitions (spelling bees, math tournaments, etc.).
4. Involve Rotary members as mentors/volunteers for afterschool literacy programs and work with local schools to identify students needing support.
5. Promote the initiative through local media to increase awareness and attract funding or in-kind book donations.
2. Student Mental Health and Well-being: Community Wellness Fair for Youth
Context:
While not explicit in the article, the intense competition faced by top students—as described in Visharad Sathish’s 45-round marathon bee—reflects the rising pressures on youth. In Lake County, community leaders and educators have repeatedly highlighted the growing need for mental wellness resources for students balancing academics and personal challenges.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department
- School counselors from local middle and high schools (Districts 56, 60, 121, etc.)
- Youth mental health organizations (NAMI Lake County, Youth Services of Lake County)
- Local hospitals (Advocate Condell Medical Center, Vista Health System)
Next Steps:
1. Convene planning meetings with health professionals and school representatives to shape a mental wellness fair focused on students and families.
2. Organize workshops, resource tables, and presentations at a central community location in Waukegan or Gurnee. Sessions can include stress management, building resilience, recognizing signs of anxiety and depression, and resources for counseling.
3. Fundraise (via Rotary Club charity run/walks, online campaigns, or sponsored partnerships) to support materials, programming, and access to follow-up counseling or enrichment programs.
4. Recruit Rotary volunteers to assist with fair logistics and ongoing outreach in schools and community centers.
5. Use event feedback to develop a sustainable, Rotary-led school wellness ambassador program, partnering with local professionals for year-round impact.
Opportunity 1: Addressing Increasing Food Insecurity
Context:
Recent Grayslake local news highlights a significant spike in visits to Chicago-area food pantries over the past year, echoing nationwide trends of growing food insecurity. Rising costs, inflation, and ongoing economic uncertainty are straining local families, with many children in Lake County—including Waukegan and Gurnee—relying on schools and community organizations for meals.
Rotary Areas of Focus:
- Community Health
- Economic & Community Development
- Supporting Families/Youth
Potential Partners:
- Northern Illinois Food Bank (which serves Lake County)
- COOL Ministries Food Pantry (Waukegan)
- local faith organizations (e.g., St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gurnee Community Church)
- School districts #121 (Waukegan) and #56 (Gurnee) community outreach offices
Next Steps:
1. Contact local food pantries and school outreach programs to identify highest-priority needs (shelf-stable foods, toiletries, school snacks for students, etc.).
2. Organize rotary-led food drives and fundraisers, leveraging Rotary’s brand and network in retail/business communities to collect donations.
3. Recruit volunteers for food packaging/distribution days, targeting high-need weekends and upcoming school breaks.
4. Launch a “Backpack Blessings” initiative: assemble backpacks of nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for children facing hunger at home over weekends/holidays.
5. Promote awareness through local news and social media channels, amplifying both need and successes to spur broader community involvement.
Opportunity 2: Youth Mental Health and Resilience Building
Context:
Local news notes the recent tragedy of a candlelight vigil honoring a student athlete’s memory and increased coverage of teen mental health challenges in Lake County. The death of a young girl in Grayslake, and frequent community gatherings in response to such losses, underline urgent needs for prevention, early intervention, and positive coping outlets—especially post-pandemic.
Rotary Areas of Focus:
- Disease Prevention & Health
- Supporting Education
- Promoting Peace
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department, Behavioral Health Services
- Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (Gurnee/Waukegan)
- NAMI Lake County (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- Lake County Regional Office of Education (student wellbeing programs)
- Local schools (through student councils, counselors, and social workers)
- Existing youth-focused nonprofits (e.g., Boys & Girls Club of Lake County)
Next Steps:
1. Host a “Youth Wellness Fair” or mental health awareness event, offering free screenings, resilience workshops, and resource connections for students and parents—possibly featuring guest speakers, art/music from peers, or panels with local clinicians and youth advocates.
2. Fundraise for creation or expansion of school-based mental health “wellness rooms,” providing calming spaces and resources (books, therapy tools) in partnership with school social workers.
3. Promote peer support and mentoring programs, in consultation with NAMI and school officials, helping teens support one another with guidance and reduce stigma around seeking help.
4. Facilitate suicide prevention and coping strategy presentations in schools in collaboration with local counselors and advocacy groups, ensuring high-impact, evidence-based outreach.
5. Recruit Rotary members as trained volunteers for existing school or after-school programs supporting youth resilience, with background checks and appropriate mental health training.
These projects directly address community-identified needs and strongly align with Rotary’s focus on health, education, and supporting children and families.
1. Community Health & Special Needs: Neuro Universe Celebration & Resource Fair Support
Context:
The upcoming “Neuro Universe Celebration & Resource Fair” on Saturday, November 15 at 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills, showcases the increasing community focus on neurodiversity, special needs, and resource access in Lake County. Parents and caregivers of children and adults with neurodiverse conditions (autism, ADHD, sensory processing, etc.) attend these fairs for education, connection, and support. Rotary International’s focus on Disease Prevention and Treatment & Supporting Education directly aligns with supporting this event and its participants.
Potential Partners:
- Neuro Universe (organizers)
- Local advocacy groups: NAMI Lake County, Autism Society of Lake County
- Local schools (Waukegan, Gurnee school districts’ special education programs)
- Advocate Aurora Health, Lake County Health Department
Next Steps:
- Reach out to Neuro Universe organizers to offer Rotary volunteer support (event logistics, resource table setup, registration, children’s activity areas).
- Sponsor a wellness or educational resource table with information on family support, local health/screening events, and respite services.
- Develop a Rotary-led mini-grant or scholarship for neurodiverse youth/families to access services or therapies not covered by insurance.
- Publicize the event through Rotary social media and invite members for hands-on volunteer opportunities.
- Evaluate potential for ongoing partnerships for monthly support groups or quarterly resource fairs coordinated by Rotary, leveraging local subject matter experts.
2. Food Security & Local Agriculture: Support and Expand the Grayslake Farmers Market
Context:
The “Fall Grayslake Farmers Market” (Saturday, November 1, North Whitney St & Center St) addresses food access, local economic support, and healthy living—key priorities for Gurnee, Waukegan, and surrounding areas. With ongoing challenges around food insecurity, particularly among youth and families in parts of Lake County, Rotary’s Areas of Focus in Community Development, Supporting the Environment, and Child Health are engaged here.
Potential Partners:
- Grayslake Farmers Market organizers
- Northern Illinois Food Bank
- University of Illinois Extension (nutrition, gardening education)
- Local schools (for student engagement/service)
- Lake County Health Department Nutrition Programs
Next Steps:
- Connect with farmers market leadership to sponsor a “Rotary Healthy Food Outreach” booth offering nutrition, SNAP enrollment, and healthy-cooking demonstrations (utilizing local produce).
- Organize food drives or gleaning projects with market vendors for Waukegan and Gurnee pantries.
- Coordinate with local schools to create a youth “Farmers Market Ambassadors” program—students assist vendors, support seniors carrying groceries, and learn about food systems.
- Consider a Rotary micro-grant for new or under-resourced farmers and producers in Lake County, encouraging sustainable agriculture and greater food diversity at the market.
- Plan an annual “Harvest Festival” at the market, fundraising for food security programs and promoting Rotary’s commitment to local wellness and environmental sustainability.
1. Environmental Safety & Community Education: Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Initiative
Context:
A recent fire at a Lake Forest garbage truck facility was caused by improper disposal of a lithium-ion battery, pointing to a critical local need for public education and safe disposal options for hazardous household batteries. This aligns with Rotary’s focus on environmental sustainability and community safety, addressing a tangible environmental risk in Lake County.
Potential Partners:
- Lake Forest Fire Department
- SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County)
- Local schools (e.g., Lake Forest High School, School of St. Mary)
- Village and city governments (Lake Forest, Gurnee, Waukegan, Lake Bluff)
- Area businesses and environmental nonprofits
Next Steps:
- Connect with the Lake Forest Fire Department and SWALCO to assess current gaps and needs in battery disposal education and collection options.
- Organize Rotary-sponsored battery collection drives at community centers, schools, and major events, collaborating with local municipalities for logistics.
- Launch an awareness campaign using flyers, local media, and presentations at schools/association meetings to educate residents about the dangers of improper disposal and promote safe alternatives.
- Apply for a Rotary District Grant to fund recycling bins, educational materials, and collection event expenses.
- Plan for an annual “Battery Safety Day” event where public safety officials demonstrate best practices and answer questions.
2. Youth STEM Empowerment: Expanding Middle School Girls’ Math & STEM Opportunities
Context:
Local middle school girls recently achieved top finishes at the Woodlands Academy Mathalon, highlighting strong interest and talent in STEM. In Lake County—especially in diverse communities like Waukegan and Gurnee—continued support can close equity and opportunity gaps for girls in STEM fields, directly supporting Rotary’s area of focus on education and the empowerment of women and girls.
Potential Partners:
- Woodlands Academy
- Local public middle schools (e.g., Lake Bluff Middle School, Waukegan Public Schools, Woodland Middle School in Gurnee)
- Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois
- Not-for-profit STEM organizations (e.g., Project SYNCERE, Girls Who Code)
- Local women STEM professionals and Rotary members as mentors
Next Steps:
- Reach out to school administrators and event organizers to understand current STEM enrichment offerings and interest in new programs.
- Organize a Rotary-sponsored STEM workshop series or summer camp focused on middle school girls, rotating locations among Lake County schools for broad accessibility.
- Recruit local women in STEM as speakers, mentors, and judges for contests or showcases.
- Pursue sponsorships or Rotary grants for materials, software, and participant scholarships to ensure all interested girls can participate.
- Collaborate with local media and businesses to celebrate participant achievements and build visibility for future programs.
These initiatives leverage recent news, address critical community needs, and are positioned for high impact and sustainability with the right partners and support.
1. Youth Mental Health & Wellness Initiative in Lake County Schools
Context:
Recent tragic incidents in Lake County, including the double fatal shooting at Great Lakes Naval Station housing and the report of a woman struck by a freight train in Mundelein, highlight increasing mental health pressures and trauma experienced by local families and youth. Additionally, school safety and student well-being are ongoing concerns. With area schools such as those newly ranked among the “Best Middle Schools in Illinois” (per U.S. News) drawing community focus, there is an opportunity to support youth mental health, trauma resilience, and wellness.
Potential Partners:
- Community Consolidated School District 46 (Grayslake), Mundelein Elementary and High School Districts
- Lake County Health Department – Behavioral Health Services
- Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (ZCenter, Gurnee)
- Advocate/Aurora Health, NorthShore Health Systems
- Local youth-centered organizations (Boys & Girls Club of Lake County)
- Area PTAs and school wellness councils
- Other service organizations (Lions, Kiwanis for possible joint events)
Next Steps:
- Approach school districts and county health officials to assess immediate needs for mental health support (workshops, referral resources, resilience-building presentations).
- Organize a Community Youth Wellness Forum, inviting mental health experts and partner organizations for free informational sessions, resource tables, and support sign-ups, in a neutral space such as a public library or community center.
- Launch a Rotary mini-grant program supporting schools in implementing evidence-based mental health and social-emotional learning programs or in funding on-campus counseling services for at-risk students.
- Mobilize Rotary volunteers to assist with logistics, promotion, and ongoing mental health awareness campaigns (i.e., “green ribbon” days, student poster contests).
- Seek matching funding from Rotary District and corporate sponsors.
2. Environmental Restoration & Community Green Space Enhancement
Context:
With the ongoing urban development and increased population around Waukegan, Gurnee, and Libertyville, there is a pressing need to safeguard and enhance local green spaces and parks. Residents express a desire for improved public spaces to boost community health, counteract effects of urbanization, and provide safe recreation venues — especially for under-resourced families in Waukegan and Gurnee. This aligns with Rotary’s environment area of focus and creates opportunities for meaningful, visible impact.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Forest Preserves (Ryerson Woods, Independence Grove, etc.)
- City of Waukegan Parks & Recreation, Gurnee Park District
- Citizens' Greener Evanston (for best practices/support)
- Cool Learning Experience (Waukegan-based youth environmental programs)
- Local Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts Troops
- Local businesses for funding and volunteer days (Great Lakes Credit Union, AbbVie, etc.)
Next Steps:
- Arrange a planning meeting with Lake County Forest Preserves and municipal parks departments to identify priority restoration or improvement projects (e.g., invasive species removal, creek/lake clean-ups, tree planting, playground repairs).
- Host a Community Green Day event involving multi-generational volunteers, with tasks tailored for different ages/abilities and environmental education booths.
- Partner with youth organizations to include environmental activities that offer service-learning/leadership for participants.
- Fundraise via a "Sponsor a Tree" or "Adopt-a-Park Bench" campaign, with enduring recognition of donors and engagement of civic-minded businesses.
- Document and publicize progress via local media and Rotary networks to inspire wider participation and support.
- Explore opportunities for ongoing stewardship groups under Rotary’s umbrella for long-term impact.