Certainly! Here are two Rotary project opportunities informed by recent trends, ongoing community needs, and Rotary’s areas of focus for Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL:
1. Mental Health and Wellness Support for Youth
Context:
Local educators and parents in Waukegan and Gurnee continue to voice concern over the mental health challenges facing youth, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic and ongoing social pressures. Recent initiatives by the Lake County Health Department have highlighted a growing demand for accessible mental health resources, especially among middle and high school students. The community is seeking more hands-on support, teen-friendly safe spaces, and programs to reduce stigma and promote coping skills.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department (existing programs with school outreach)
- Gurnee and Waukegan public school districts
- Youth-focused nonprofits such as Youth & Family Counseling of Lake County
Next Steps:
- Convene a roundtable with school counselors and youth advocates to pinpoint service gaps
- Organize a Rotary-sponsored Mental Health First Aid training for educators, parents, and students
- Develop a peer-to-peer support initiative, potentially through after-school programs, Rotary Interact Clubs, or teen community centers
- Launch a fundraising event (for example, a wellness walk or virtual seminar series) to support ongoing school-based counseling or hotlines
2. Hunger Relief and Healthy Food Access Enhancement
Context:
Waukegan and neighboring suburbs continue to report high rates of food insecurity, particularly during the winter months. Local food pantries (e.g., COOL Food Pantry, Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Lake County center) are seeing sustained demand, and recent news underscores a shortage of fresh produce and healthy meal options for families with children and seniors. The need aligns with Rotary’s focus on supporting maternal and child health and fighting disease through nutrition.
Potential Partners:
- COOL Food Pantry and Northern Illinois Food Bank
- Local farms and supermarkets, such as Woodman’s or Jewel-Osco
- Gurnee Park Districts and faith-based organizations (for food drive sites and volunteers)
Next Steps:
- Coordinate with local pantries to identify inventory gaps and most-needed items
- Launch a "Healthy Start" food drive or monthly fresh food distribution at a central community site, with Rotary volunteers collecting and distributing donations
- Partner with local grocery stores for “round-up at the register” fundraising to purchase produce
- Combine service with education: offer short nutrition workshops during distributions, possibly with the assistance of Lake County Health Department dietitians
- Publicize volunteer opportunities for Rotarians to assist in stock, sorting, and delivery
These initiatives will help address urgent, well-documented local needs in Lake County while actively engaging Rotarians and building partnerships across the community.
1. Winter Clothing Drive and Distribution for Seniors and Vulnerable Families
Rotary Area of Focus: Community Health, Supporting Vulnerable Populations
Context:
The recent article “Waukegan-area programs provide winter clothes to seniors: ‘To warm their hands and ears, but also their hearts’” highlights ongoing efforts to support seniors during the harsh Lake County winters. With temperatures dropping, Waukegan Township (led by Supervisor Marc Jones) continues a tradition of distributing winter clothing, yet there’s ongoing need for expanded support—especially among low-income seniors and families across Gurnee, Waukegan, and broader Lake County.
Potential Partners: - Waukegan Township Senior Services - Local schools (potential for youth involvement in sorting and collections) - Faith-based groups (e.g., Catholic Charities, local churches, mosques, and synagogues) - Retailers (for clothing donation bins, matching programs, or discounts) - Local media (for publicity and collection sites)
Next Steps: - Reach out to Waukegan Township and coordinate dates/locations for joint drive and distribution events. - Partner with schools to mobilize student volunteers and youth involvement. - Approach local businesses and retailers for donations, matching, or hosting collection sites. - Promote in local media and on social media to increase donations and enlist volunteers. - Organize distribution events at township centers, churches, or Rotary meeting spaces.
2. “Clean Slate” Law Community Education and Re-Entry Support
Rotary Area of Focus: Education, Economic Development, Community Health
Context:
The Illinois “Clean Slate” bill, awaiting the governor’s signature, will allow approximately 1.7 million residents (including many in Lake County) expedited sealing of past convictions, offering renewed opportunities for employment, housing, and community engagement. However, there will be significant need for public education, legal assistance, and job readiness programs for those eligible.
Potential Partners: - Local legal aid organizations (e.g., Prairie State Legal Services) - Workforce development centers (Lake County Workforce Development) - Reentry groups and advocacy coalitions (Safer Foundation, formerly incarcerated peer networks) - Area libraries (for hosting workshops) - Local colleges and universities (pro bono legal clinics, student involvement) - News-Sun and Chicago Tribune for awareness campaigns
Next Steps: - Convene a coalition meeting with legal aid, workforce, and reentry partners to define program needs (e.g., public info sessions, legal clinics, resume workshops). - Organize and promote informational seminars/workshops in Gurnee, Waukegan, and broader Lake County to explain the new law, assist with paperwork, and connect individuals to job resources. - Recruit Rotary and community volunteers to staff events and provide logistical help. - Develop and disseminate bilingual materials (English/Spanish) for diverse Lake County communities. - Seek grants or host fundraising events to support legal aid clinics and job preparation resources.
Both opportunities meet current acute needs in Lake County, align with Rotary's focus areas, and offer avenues for partnership and meaningful impact.
1. Literacy Champions: Supporting Lake County Spelling Bee Participants and Academic Excellence
Context:
Seventh-grader Visharad Sathish from Lake Forest Country Day School won the Lake County Regional Spelling Bee, outlasting 11 competitors in more than 45 rounds. He will represent Lake County in the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. The regional competition, coordinated by Ashley Whitaker of John Lewis Middle School and overseen by County Superintendent Michael Karner, involved students from 73 county schools. This highlights strong academic engagement but also reflects the need for broad-based literacy and academic support opportunities across the region.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Regional Office of Education (Michael Karner, Courtney Curry)
- Local schools such as Lake Forest Country Day School, Matthews Middle School, and John Lewis Middle School
- Public libraries in Gurnee, Waukegan, and surrounding communities
- Educational nonprofits (Reading Power Inc., United Way of Lake County)
Next Steps:
- Launch a "Literacy Champions" project, providing scholarships or grants for educational materials to support Spelling Bee participants and other high-achieving students.
- Organize Rotary-hosted “Spell-Off” fundraising events or reading challenges open to the broader community, raising literacy awareness and funds for student enrichment programs.
- Coordinate with school administrators and library partners to set up after-school tutoring or literacy workshops, leveraging Rotary volunteers and potentially partnering with local businesses for sponsorships.
- Publicly recognize all participating students—and not just winners—during Rotary club meetings or community events, reinforcing a culture of academic excellence.
2. Youth Wellness & Academic Resilience Workshops
Context:
The marathon nature of the spelling bee (more than 45 rounds) and the emotionally intense environment experienced by students, parents, and even judges highlights the intellectual and emotional pressures faced by local youth. As academic competitions become more intense, providing balance through wellness and resilience training becomes a vital community need, aligning with Rotary’s focus on supporting education and youth well-being.
Potential Partners:
- School counselors or wellness coordinators at Lake Forest Country Day School, Matthews Middle School, and John Lewis Middle School
- Behavioral health providers (e.g., Nicasa Behavioral Health Services in Waukegan)
- Local parent-teacher organizations (PTOs) and YMCAs
- Mental health nonprofits (Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center)
Next Steps:
- Initiate a series of "Youth Resilience Workshops” for Lake County students involved in academic competitions, focusing on stress management, healthy goal-setting, and balancing academics with extracurricular activities.
- Offer these sessions in partnership with local schools, inviting counselors or guest experts—potentially as joint parent-and-student events.
- Seek grant funding or sponsorships to provide materials, refreshments, and incentives for participation.
- Use Rotary platforms to promote youth wellness as integral to academic success, advocating for ongoing support and resource-sharing within area schools.
- Evaluate the workshops with feedback from participants and school staff, and look for opportunities to expand the program to additional schools or youth groups.
Both initiatives allow Rotary to build on current community momentum while directly supporting two of Rotary’s areas of focus: education and youth development.
1. Project: “Warm Hearts, Warm Coats”—Winter Clothing Drive and Distribution
Context:
Recent local news highlights the Grayslake Community Park District’s winter coat donation drive and a significant increase in visits to Chicago-area food pantries. The approaching winter storm (forecasted 6–10 inches of snow) and growing needs among families indicate acute demand for warm clothing and community support, especially for economically vulnerable residents across Lake County.
Rotary Area of Focus: Community Health (Basic Needs) and Supporting Vulnerable Populations
Potential Partners:
- Grayslake Community Park District (existing coat donation site)
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (local chapter, active with Giving Tuesday campaigns)
- Local food pantries and nonprofit thrift shops (e.g., Northern Illinois Food Bank partners)
- Local schools and faith organizations
Next Steps:
a) Contact the Grayslake Community Park District and other community services organizations to expand coat, hat, and glove collection and to coordinate logistics for wider distribution—especially for children and seniors.
b) Mobilize Rotary volunteers and partner groups for collection, sorting, and community distribution events at accessible sites such as food pantries, school gyms, or public libraries.
c) Launch a public awareness campaign (social media, local news, flyers) to boost donations, with particular outreach to local businesses and residents.
d) Consider a follow-up “winter wellness day” in partnership with healthcare providers, offering flu shots, wellness checks, or information on heating assistance to support community health during the harshest winter months.
2. Project: “Bright Futures Youth Scholarship & Mentorship Initiative”
Context:
The calendar features a “Kim Muno Scholarship Goal” event, indicating a current focus on supporting students. Local news also references economic strains affecting families, which can impact students’ educational and extracurricular opportunities. By supporting scholarships and mentorships, Rotary can strengthen youth development, equity, and education.
Rotary Area of Focus: Education and Youth Development
Potential Partners:
- Kim Muno Scholarship organizers (local scholarships targeting Grayslake-area students)
- Local high schools and community colleges (e.g., College of Lake County)
- Lake County business community (Rotary member employers)
- Youth-serving nonprofits (Boys & Girls Club of Lake County, Big Brothers Big Sisters)
Next Steps:
a) Connect with the Kim Muno Scholarship leadership to offer fundraising or volunteer support, supplementing scholarship funds or broadening access.
b) Create a Rotary mentorship program—matching local business professionals with scholarship applicants or at-risk youth for career advice, application guidance, and skills development.
c) Host educational workshops (resume building, interview practice, financial literacy), possibly timed to coincide with or amplify the existing scholarship campaign and holiday markets.
d) Explore co-hosted fundraising events, such as a benefit breakfast at a local venue or sponsorships from area businesses, timed with school calendars or holiday community events.
These initiatives target immediate community needs while fostering long-term resilience and opportunity, all within the areas of focus central to Rotary’s mission.
1. Scholarship Fundraising and Mentorship: Partnering with the Kim Muno Scholarship Award
Context:
The Kim Muno Scholarship Award, as referenced in the Grayslake events calendar, is at an "important crossroads" this year. This suggests there may be challenges in either funding, sustainability, or outreach. Scholarships directly support Rotary’s focus on education and youth empowerment by providing access to higher learning.
Potential Partners:
- Kim Muno Scholarship organization and Muno family
- Libertyville High School faculty and administration
- Local education foundations
- Area businesses for event sponsorship
Next Steps:
- Reach out to the Kim Muno Scholarship contact (or Libertyville High School’s administration) to discuss their immediate needs—whether funding, event planning, or community awareness.
- Co-host a fundraising event (such as a community breakfast, trivia night, or virtual auction) with proceeds benefiting the scholarship, potentially tying in the event to local businesses or ongoing holiday markets and bazaars.
- Develop a mentorship program where Rotary volunteers partner with scholarship applicants or recipients to provide ongoing support throughout the year—this could include resume-building workshops, mock interviews, or college prep sessions.
- Publicize the joint initiative at community events—like the Tighthead Holiday Bazaar or the Grayslake Farmers Market—to encourage broad participation and donations.
2. Drafts & Crafts for Troops and Community Health Outreach
Context:
The "Drafts & Crafts: Holiday Cards for the Troops" at Beer Bazaar, Grayslake, offers both a chance to support deployed service members and to foster intergenerational solidarity. As the holiday season heightens feelings of loneliness—both for troops and vulnerable local populations like seniors—Rotary can expand on this effort, aligning with Rotary priorities of community health, peace, and supporting veterans.
Potential Partners:
- Beer Bazaar event organizers
- Local American Legion or VFW posts (e.g., those in Grayslake, Gurnee, and Waukegan)
- College of Lake County student groups (potential youth involvement)
- Senior centers (e.g., Libertyville Senior Center, site of the Mobile DMV event)
Next Steps:
- Coordinate with Beer Bazaar to make the Holiday Cards activity a larger, Rotary-supported campaign—collect not only cards, but care packages and notes for troops, veterans, and isolated seniors.
- Involve area schools and youth clubs to participate in craft-making, providing an educational element about service and empathy.
- Partner with senior centers to host a card-making or care package assembly session, facilitating connections between youth, seniors, and veterans in the community.
- Expand the initiative to address mental health concerns: distribute information about local mental health resources along with packages, or hold a related educational forum.
- Highlight the project during other local events, like the Hot Cocoa Stroll or the Grayslake Farmers Market, to maximize community engagement and raise awareness of veterans’ issues.
These initiatives connect directly to Rotary’s pillars of education, youth, community health, and peacebuilding, and leverage ongoing partnerships and community events for maximum impact.
1. Community Mental Health Support Initiative
Context:
A recent announcement highlighted that the Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board is accepting grant applications to support nonprofit partners delivering essential mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services. Mental health remains a pressing concern in Lake County, exacerbated by the pandemic, economic pressures, and ongoing community needs. Rotary International identifies disease prevention and treatment—including mental health—as a core area of focus.
Potential Partners:
- Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board
- Lake County Health Department
- Local nonprofits specializing in mental health (e.g., Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force, NAMI Lake County)
- Schools and faith-based organizations (such as those affiliated with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul)
Next Steps:
- Hold a roundtable with the Mental Health Board and key nonprofits to identify current service gaps or urgent needs.
- Apply for matching or supplemental grants where available.
- Organize a mental health awareness campaign or a community forum, combining education, free mental health screenings, and resource connection opportunities.
- Plan a fundraising event (such as a wellness walk or virtual auction) with visibility for partner organizations and Rotary.
- Leverage Rotary’s district and global grant structure to maximize impact and sustainability.
2. Winter Emergency Relief and Holiday Meal Drive
Context:
Lake County faces severe winter weather, as indicated in the recent Winter Storm Warning. The announcement from BHHS Chicago’s Libertyville Office, which recently donated 130 Thanksgiving meals to local residents in need, shows a clear avenue for ongoing food insecurity and shelter needs—especially during dangerous weather conditions. This situation aligns with Rotary’s areas of focus on community economic development, health, and basic needs.
Potential Partners:
- BHHS Chicago’s Libertyville Office (as a business partner)
- Local rotary clubs and Interact clubs
- Lake County food pantries and shelters (e.g., Northern Illinois Food Bank, COOL Ministries)
- Local grocery businesses open during holidays
- Religious organizations (like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul)
Next Steps:
- Connect with BHHS and local pantries to assess remaining needs and coordinate logistics for meal or winter supply distribution.
- Launch a community fundraising drive for warm clothing, blankets, and non-perishable food items, using holiday concerts and local businesses as collection points.
- Partner with local businesses such as Waukegan Tire for donation drop-off or sponsorship, and recruit Rotarian volunteers to manage collection and distribution.
- Plan for future partnerships to make this an annual or semi-annual project, especially linking with large winter weather events for maximum impact and visibility.
1. Community Health & Crisis Response: Family Mental Health and Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative
Context:
Recent reports from Libertyville and the surrounding area include incidents such as the arson case in Beach Park, where a man set his house on fire following a family argument. These events highlight ongoing mental health and domestic violence challenges exacerbated by the holiday season and ongoing social stresses. In addition, the ZCenter (Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center) recently received funding for community education, showing that resources and partnerships are available and needed.
Potential Partners:
- ZCenter (Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center), which provides education on sexual abuse prevention and support
- Local police departments (Libertyville, Beach Park, Waukegan, Gurnee)
- Lake County Health Department
- Youth & Family Counseling agencies
- Local clergy and faith-based organizations
Next Steps:
- Convene a roundtable with ZCenter, law enforcement, and counselors to assess current needs—especially post-holiday incidents.
- Develop a targeted fundraising campaign (“Safe Families for the Holidays”) with Rotary for crisis response and family counseling services.
- Launch a community training program on conflict de-escalation and resources for families in crisis, using Rotary volunteers and expert partners.
- Coordinate with local schools, churches, and community centers to host information sessions and distribute literature on available support services.
- Seek grants and sponsorships (such as from the TJX Foundation, which recently supported the ZCenter) to fund ongoing workshops and emergency assistance kits.
2. Environment & Community Resilience: “Winter Weather Preparedness and Home Safety Drive”
Context:
The Chicago area, including Gurnee, Waukegan, and the rest of Lake County, is under a Winter Storm Warning, with substantial snowfall expected. Many vulnerable residents—especially seniors, low-income families, or those without stable housing—are at greater risk during severe weather. With recent charitable efforts like BHHS Chicago’s meal donations, the community is engaged and supportive of direct assistance initiatives.
Potential Partners:
- Local food pantries and shelters (e.g., PADS Lake County)
- Senior centers and housing authorities
- Local hardware stores (for safety kits)
- Gurnee and Waukegan Fire Departments
- BHHS Chicago real estate offices who led the recent meal outreach
Next Steps:
- Organize a fundraising campaign to assemble and distribute “Winter Home Safety Kits,” which may include blankets, flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, ice melt, and smoke detectors.
- Partner with local fire departments and shelter organizations for distribution and to offer brief home safety checks.
- Involve Rotary youth clubs (e.g., Interact) in kit assembly and delivery, engaging students and raising awareness.
- Use Rotary communication channels and local media (e.g., Patch, newsletters) to publicize the effort and solicit donations.
- Set a goal to reach X number of households in need before the next major winter weather event, with outcome evaluation in February.
Both service opportunities respond directly to current community needs and offer concrete, hands-on approaches aligned with Rotary’s focus areas of community health, supporting families, and fostering resilient, safe communities.