1. Rotary Math Mentorship Program for Youth
Context:
Illinois officials are highlighting the urgent need to improve student math outcomes, as noted in the December 6, 2025 story about a new statewide initiative for a “numeracy plan.” This issue affects school districts in Lake County, including Gurnee and Waukegan, where the achievement gap in mathematics is often intertwined with broader educational equity concerns.
Potential Partners:
- Gurnee School District 56
- Waukegan Community Unit School District 60
- Local libraries (Warren-Newport Public Library, Waukegan Public Library)
- Mathnasium (local math enrichment centers)
- Lake County Regional Office of Education
Next Steps:
- Contact local school administrators and the Lake County ROE to gauge where math support volunteers and after-school programming are most needed.
- Secure interest from Rotary volunteers (including members with professional or educational backgrounds in STEM) willing to mentor/tutor students or facilitate family math nights.
- Explore grant opportunities through Rotary District or The Rotary Foundation to cover supplies, transportation, or take-home learning kits.
- Hold an info session with community partners to coordinate logistics, promote the program, and integrate with the emerging statewide numeracy plan.
2. Rotary “Green Spaces & STEAM” Community Project
Context:
Environmental enhancement and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education both align with Rotary’s areas of focus and continue to be pressing needs in Lake County communities. School districts and municipal leaders are seeking to upgrade outdoor learning spaces and foster environmental literacy. Enhancing outdoor schoolyards or public parks with pollinator gardens or STEM-learning stations can serve both the environment and local youth.
Potential Partners:
- Village of Gurnee Parks & Recreation Department
- Waukegan Park District and Waukegan to College
- Lake County Forest Preserves
- Local garden clubs (Wild Ones, Gurnee Garden Club)
- School Eco Clubs or PTA organizations
Next Steps:
- Consult with the parks department and targeted schools in Gurnee and Waukegan to identify locations for green space upgrades or outdoor classrooms, especially in under-resourced areas.
- Apply for environmental action or youth education grants available through Rotary and community foundation sources.
- Mobilize Rotary members, students, and family volunteers for spring planting and educational programming days, pairing hands-on environmental stewardship with math/science activities for kids.
- Publicize the project to engage the broader community, link with the numeracy initiative, and establish ongoing partnerships for environmental education events.
1. Support for Vista Medical Center East & Community Health Access
Context:
There is visible community concern regarding the future and stability of Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, with citizens expressing worries about healthcare access in town hall meetings. Alarm bells have been "sounding" for nearly two years amid ongoing uncertainty, and the community wants answers about the hospital's future. This underscores the vital need for community health services and reliable healthcare access—an area that directly aligns with Rotary’s focus on disease prevention, treatment, and strengthening health systems.
Potential Partners:
- Vista Medical Center East administration
- Local government health departments
- Community advocacy groups (e.g., Coalition for Healthy Communities)
- Area healthcare nonprofits and Federally Qualified Health Centers
Next Steps:
- Convene a roundtable with Vista Medical leadership and local health officials to identify specific gaps in patient services, outreach, and community health education.
- Organize a Rotary-led health fair or mobile clinic event, focusing on underserved neighborhoods, with services such as health screenings, vaccination drives, and resource navigation.
- Fundraise for critical needs identified by hospital leadership (e.g., equipment, patient transportation, emergency funds for uninsured residents).
- Launch a volunteer corps to assist with community wellness programming in cooperation with Vista staff.
- Use Rotary visibility to advocate for long-term investment in local healthcare infrastructure and to help address food/housing/transportation insecurities impacting patient outcomes.
2. Advancing Local Education: Paraprofessional to Teacher Pipeline Initiative
Context:
Waukegan and North Chicago face a “teacher void,” but an Illinois State Board of Education pilot program is helping 18 District 60 paraprofessionals complete their teaching credentials—a life-changing opportunity that remains resource-limited. Supporting this pipeline can have an enormous impact on educational equity and stability for local youths, especially in under-resourced school districts.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan District 60 and North Chicago School District
- Illinois State Board of Education
- Local colleges and universities with teacher preparation programs
- United Way of Lake County (noted for education initiatives)
- Teacher unions and professional organizations
Next Steps:
- Meet with District 60 staff and program coordinators to assess greatest needs: e.g., scholarships, mentorship, test preparation, or classroom supply funds.
- Create a Rotary scholarship or grant fund specifically for paraprofessionals seeking teaching licensure, reducing financial or logistical barriers.
- Organize career mentorship panels or “teacher for a day” events matching Rotary members (many of whom have diverse professions) with paraprofessionals and students.
- Work with local media to highlight program graduates and track Rotary’s impact—helping attract further partners and funding.
- Explore starting a service project to provide classroom resource kits for new teachers emerging from this program.
These initiatives respond directly to urgent community concerns in Lake County, leverage Rotary’s core focus areas, and provide concrete opportunities for impactful service and fundraising.
Certainly! Here are two Rotary service and fundraising project opportunities for Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL, based on recent news and Rotary’s mission areas:
1. Youth Enrichment & Literacy: Lake County Youth Academic Champions Support Initiative
Rotary Area of Focus: Supporting Education / Youth Development
Context:
Lake County seventh-grader Visharad Sathish recently won a marathon regional spelling bee and will represent the county at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. This achievement highlights the vibrant academic talent in the area, but also points to a broader need: many students lack resources or support for extracurricular academic pursuits like spelling bees, science fairs, and academic clubs. Not all families can afford coaching, travel costs, or study materials.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Regional Office of Education (ROE)
- Local school districts
- Local PTAs and educational foundations
- Businesses willing to sponsor students (e.g., local bookstores, tutoring centers)
Next Steps:
- Organize a fundraising campaign (“Sponsor a Scholar” Spelling/Academic Bee Night) to help cover fees, travel, and materials for students participating in local and national competitions.
- Set up an Academic Recognition Night in partnership with schools and the ROE, allowing Rotary to award scholarships, grants, or stipends to outstanding students (including, but not limited to, spelling bee participants).
- Recruit local educators and previous bee participants (such as Visharad Sathish) to conduct workshops or mentorship sessions for aspiring academic competitors.
- Promote awareness of Rotary’s youth programs (like Interact or youth exchange) during these events.
2. Community Wellbeing & Future of Healthcare Access: Vista Medical Center East Engagement
Rotary Area of Focus: Community Health / Disease Prevention and Treatment
Context:
A current town hall in Waukegan focused on the future of Vista Medical Center East underscores community concerns over local healthcare access. Vista Medical Center East has faced uncertainty about its services, generating anxiety about the sustainability of local health resources, especially for vulnerable populations.
Potential Partners:
- Vista Medical Center East and NorthShore University HealthSystem
- Waukegan city officials and community boards
- Local public health departments and advocacy groups (e.g., Lake County Health Department)
- Faith organizations and social service nonprofits
Next Steps:
- Host a “Community Health Resource Fair” with screening clinics, health education, and information booths—collaborating with hospital staff and local providers. This event can also serve as a forum for residents to ask questions, provide input, and build trust.
- Fundraise for “Healthcare Access Grants” for families facing gaps in insurance or transportation to medical services.
- Engage youth and adult volunteers in wellness outreach—delivering care packages, wellness info, and facilitating rides for appointments.
- Facilitate ongoing dialogue between residents, local government, and healthcare leadership (e.g., by sponsoring quarterly Rotary health town halls).
Each of these opportunities responds to recent news and helps Rotary show visible, relevant service in the heart of Lake County’s communities.
1. Winter Safety & Emergency Preparedness Outreach
Context:
Recent Lake County news highlights a significant number of weather-related emergencies: Lake County Sheriff's Office responded to 65 calls for service during a winter storm, reflecting ongoing community vulnerability to severe weather. Such incidents, with snow, ice, and freezing drizzle expected through the next week in the broader Chicago region, put seniors, disabled residents, and low-income families at increased risk.
Rotary Area of Focus: Community health and disaster response/preparedness.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Sheriff’s Office
- Lake County Senior Services
- Local fire departments
- Grayslake and Gurnee community centers
- Local youth volunteer groups (e.g., Scout troops, high school service clubs)
Next Steps:
1. Convene a meeting with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Senior Services to identify the most vulnerable households.
2. Organize and promote a Winter Readiness Kit Drive: collect or fundraise for items like space heaters, flashlights, batteries, ice melt, blankets, and first-aid supplies.
3. Develop a volunteer roster—including youth volunteers—to assemble and deliver kits, and provide brief education sessions on winter safety.
4. Coordinate with community centers to host workshops or Q&A days about emergency preparedness, possibly with involvement from local first responders.
5. Evaluate workshop outcomes and scale as needed to other Lake County communities.
2. Pet Pantry & Foster Network Expansion
Context:
The recent Grayslake Patch featured the ongoing efforts of a nearby no-kill animal shelter dedicated to finding “forever homes for struggling pets” and drew attention to increased needs for shelter support post-holiday (often a time of returns/abandonment). Nationwide, economic pressure leads to more surrendered pets and strains on local shelters, which can negatively impact both animal and human wellbeing.
Rotary Area of Focus: Supporting community health and economic development, especially as it connects to the humane treatment of animals and low-income families’ ability to care for their pets.
Potential Partners:
- Grayslake area no-kill shelters (e.g., Save-A-Pet or other local rescues)
- Local food pantries (many nearby pantries are seeing spikes)
- Veterinary clinics in Gurnee, Waukegan, and Grayslake
- Relevant school/service clubs for youth involvement
Next Steps:
1. Reach out to no-kill shelters and food pantries to discuss current needs and possible collaboration.
2. Launch a “Pet Pantry Day” drive to collect food, litter, basic supplies, and emergency vet vouchers for distribution to families in need, alongside existing human food distribution efforts.
3. Organize fundraising events or campaigns to support shelter medical funds and expand foster care networks, possibly including youth volunteers as temporary foster families/assistants (with parental involvement).
4. Host community awareness events featuring shelter representatives, veterinarians, and Rotary members to educate the public on responsible pet ownership and resources for those in crisis.
5. Track pet pantry usage and adoption rates to measure impact and report results to sponsors and community members.
1. Holiday Cards for the Troops & Community Veterans Initiative
Context:
The event "Drafts & Crafts: Holiday Cards for the Troops," featuring artist Jennifer Karlov at the Beer Bazaar in Grayslake (Dec 6), highlights an existing community effort to support service members. There is growing recognition of needs among local veterans and military families in Lake County, including Waukegan and Gurnee, especially during the holidays.
Rotary Area of Focus: Supporting education/youth (through youth engagement), community health, peace and conflict prevention (veteran mental health).
Potential Partners: - Grayslake Arts Alliance (GAA) - Local VFW and American Legion posts (e.g., Gurnee VFW, Waukegan American Legion) - Beer Bazaar (community venue) - Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission
Next Steps:
- Reach out to event organizer Jennifer Karlov and the GAA to see if Rotary members can co-host or sponsor future card-creation events, expanding the program beyond the holidays (Valentine’s Day, July 4, etc.).
- Engage Interact/Rotaract Clubs and local high schools to involve youth in supporting both deployed troops and local veterans.
- Explore a fundraising drive tied to the cards—a “cards for coats” initiative where each card made prompts a warm coat donation for homeless veterans in Lake County.
- Organize a follow-up “Veterans Wellness Day” in collaboration with the Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission, offering free wellness services, companionship, and resource navigation for local veterans.
2. Expand Food & Family Resources at Community Holiday Markets and Events
Context:
Multiple family-friendly holiday events (Santa in the Park, Holiday Pop-Ups, Hot Cocoa Strolls, Holiday Brass Concerts, Holiday Band Concerts) reflect high community turnout and the opportunity to meet essential needs, especially for families in Waukegan and Round Lake facing economic challenges.
Rotary Area of Focus: Community health, maternal and child health, supporting education (by addressing food insecurity and associated issues).
Potential Partners: - Round Lake Area Park District (hosts of Santa in the Park & Holiday in the Hart) - Northern Illinois Food Bank - College of Lake County (fundraiser location and possible student volunteers) - Local businesses hosting pop-ups (e.g., “A Little Bit of Me” boutique) - Grayslake and Waukegan schools for outreach
Next Steps:
- Contact Round Lake Area Park District and Northern Illinois Food Bank to co-sponsor or host food drives, collecting non-perishables at high-attendance events such as Santa in the Park, Holiday Concerts, and art pop-ups.
- Work with College of Lake County student clubs and volunteers to create a “Holiday Helpers” network for food sorting, distribution, and holiday meal kits for families in need.
- Arrange with local businesses and pop-up event organizers to place donation stations (food, children’s winter clothing, hygiene items) at their events.
- Organize a Rotary-coordinated “Family Resource Day” in January, leveraging event visibility to connect families with ongoing food and health resources, free winter gear, and community support programs.
These initiatives directly address seasonal and ongoing needs while reinforcing Rotary’s commitments to health, education, and community connection.
1. Rotary Warming Center Drive & Community Outreach
Context:
Recent news highlights dangerously cold temperatures in Lake Forest and the listing of local warming centers. Extreme weather events threaten unhoused or vulnerable residents, with community needs heightened during the winter months.
Rotary Area of Focus: Community Health & Basic Needs
Potential Partners:
- Local Warming Centers (listed in Lake Forest's recent public notices)
- Lake County Public Health Department
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (active locally per November news)
- Local grocery stores (noted to be open holidays) for supply donations
- Faith-based organizations (e.g., Episcopal Church)
Next Steps:
- Connect with Lake Forest's designated warming centers to identify the most urgent needs (e.g., warm clothing, blankets, hygiene items, hot meals).
- Organize a Rotary-led community drive, collecting and distributing essential winter supplies.
- Mobilize volunteers for outreach, including information sharing about warming centers throughout Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake Forest.
- Explore grant or matching funds (similar to the $2,000 match by Society of St. Vincent de Paul) to amplify impact.
- Promote the drive through local businesses and Rotary social media; collaborate with Patch and other local news outlets for community awareness.
2. Youth Safety & Pedestrian Awareness Campaign
Context:
A recent (19 hours ago) tragic incident in Lake Forest involved a pedestrian and pet being struck by a vehicle, spotlighting ongoing pedestrian safety issues, especially during reduced daylight and inclement weather.
Rotary Area of Focus: Youth, Community Safety, and Education
Potential Partners:
- Lake Forest and Waukegan Police Departments
- Local schools and Parent-Teacher Associations
- The Episcopal Preschool (noted as local sponsor)
- Waukegan Tire and other local automotive businesses (possible for free vehicle safety checks or educational partnerships)
Next Steps:
- Convene a Rotary task force with police, schools, and local safety advocates to review recent incidents and identify risk areas for students and families.
- Develop a “Safe Routes to School” campaign: pedestrian and traffic safety workshops, distribution of reflective wearables/backpacks, and educational materials for both youth and drivers (in English and Spanish).
- Fundraise via local business sponsorships (tie in auto-oriented businesses like Waukegan Tire for support and awareness days).
- Plan and publicize school-based assemblies or community events, highlighting winter pedestrian safety and responsible driving.
- Measure impact by tracking engagement, distributing safety gear, and fostering sustainable partnerships for ongoing safety improvements.
1. Project Idea: Winter Emergency Relief & Mental Health Support for Youth and Families
Context:
Recent local news highlights a house fire in Beach Park following a family argument, along with an incident of a missing 14-year-old after leaving an event at Libertyville High School. These stories underscore both the material vulnerability of some families (fire/displacement) and mental health/communication challenges—heightened during the winter and holiday season. Isolation, stress, and a lack of resources can increase risks for youth and families alike.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department
- Libertyville and Gurnee Police Departments’ community outreach teams
- Local mental health organizations such as NAMI Lake County and Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (ZCenter)
- Schools (Libertyville High School, Waukegan Public Schools)
- Churches/community centers (Society of St. Vincent de Paul, local synagogues and mosques)
Next Steps:
- Convene a planning meeting with key partners to assess urgent and ongoing needs for emergency assistance (temporary housing, food, clothing) for families facing crises (e.g., house fires, domestic disputes).
- Establish a "Winter Emergency Kit" fundraiser—collecting or funding coats, blankets, hygiene products, gift cards for groceries, and information on mental health support.
- Work with schools and youth groups to provide safe space forums and resource nights for youth to discuss stress, safety, and ways to ask for help.
- Offer Rotary volunteers as facilitators for support groups or resource centers.
- Organize a drive for donations during Rotary meetings and community events.
- Evaluate the impact and continue with similar support initiatives in other vulnerable parts of Lake County.
Rotary Areas of Focus: Community health, maternal and child health, disease prevention, and youth support.
2. Project Idea: Environmental Education & Community Beautification Through Winter Projects
Context:
Recent heavy snowfall, the sharing of “winter wonderland” community photos, and attention to local outdoor events and festivals reflect both the challenges and joys of winter in Lake County. This provides an opportunity for Rotary to make an impact on environmental stewardship and encourage community engagement outdoors, even in colder seasons.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Forest Preserves
- Local schools (for student eco-clubs or science classes)
- Local environmental organizations (Go Green Lake County, Sierra Club, local gardening clubs)
- Park districts (Gurnee, Waukegan, Libertyville)
- Township governments
Next Steps:
- Organize a “Winter Beautification Day” to clean up local parks, trails, and community spaces after snow melts uncovers trash and debris.
- Launch an environmental education campaign for families and youth on topics like winter bird feeding, native plant landscaping, and safe winter trail use.
- Work with local schools to plan “outdoor classroom” days, using Rotary volunteers as guest instructors or guides.
- Offer tree- and shrub-planting initiatives perfectly timed for early spring, fundraising for supplies during winter Rotary events.
- Collaborate with partners to combine environmental action with public art—such as “Winter Art in the Park” snow sculpture contests or mural painting in previously neglected areas.
Rotary Areas of Focus: Environment, basic education and literacy, and community development.