In celebration of Read Across America, we organized 48 community and corporate volunteers to share the joy of reading with the students at Howe Elementary in Beach Park and Pleviak Elementary in Lake Villa.
The volunteers read stories that amplified this year’s theme, Celebrating Diversity, in English and Spanish. All the books were donated to the teachers so that they could continue to grow their classroom libraries.
Teachers love this interaction because it helps to provide a model of reading fluency, introduces new vocabulary, and helps to increase attention spans in our young learners. Our volunteer readers also help children see themselves in books, feel validated and confident, and have pride in their experiences and cultures.
Thank you to all our incredible volunteers for sharing their love of reading with these students! View photos from both events below.
Register for Kindergarten Countdown Camp
Kindergarten Countdown Camp(KCC) is our free summer learning program for children entering kindergarten this fall who have little to no preschool experience. Children who attend KCC will adjust to the classroom setting, practice following directions and rules, and practice key kindergarten skills. KCC is a great opportunity to get your child prepared to succeed in kindergarten.
Registration is now open for students in the Antioch, Beach Park, Round Lake and Zion school districts. Waukegan is coming soon.
Antioch: June 5 – 27
Beach Park: July 29 – August 14
Round Lake: June 3 – 27
Zion: June 3 – July 11
Interested? Fill out the form for your school district at the link below.
SUCCESS STORY
Speaking Up and Making Friends
When Ruben entered Kindergarten Countdown Camp(KCC), he felt uncomfortable talking with teachers or his classmates. He remained quiet throughout the day and would play by himself during free time and recess.
After two weeks at KCC, Ruben started participating during the class instruction, and he answered questions when he was called on. Ruben began to feel more comfortable in his new environment, and his connections with his classmates grew.
By the end of KCC, Ruben’s classmates became his friends. He would talk to them throughout the day and play with them at recess. As Ruben’s sense of confidence increased, his engagement in learning grew. He was able to express his thoughts and emotions verbally with his teachers, and he was speaking up louder and confidently when participating in class.
The progress and growth Ruben made in KCC has prepared him for successful learning in kindergarten!
Another Successful Year of Mentoring Middle Schoolers
Leaders United, our affinity group of young professionals, wrapped up another successful year of their mentoring program called Breakfast Club with the 8th graders at Robert Abbott Middle School in Waukegan.
The students were eager to participate in each session and the conversations were meaningful. They engaged in discussions around topics to support mental wellness and social-emotional learning. We are proud that these students are leaving middle school with more of the tools they need to successfully overcome obstacles as they transition into high school.
To celebrate the students and prepare them for their next steps, each student was gifted with Waukegan High School spirit wear. We are wishing these students much success in high school and beyond!
Create Your Legacy
Donors from all walks of life at all income levels can make an investment in securing the future of our community. The process is simple, and the impact will last for generations.
There are many ways to make a charitable gift, such as donating stock or securities, using your IRA or donor-advised fund, and including us in your will or living trust. Learn about the many ways to give by clicking below.
Lunch & Learn About Women United
Are you looking for new ways to make a measurable difference for children and families in Lake County or new opportunities to volunteer and socialize? You can do all of that and more with Women United! Learn about becoming a member by joining us virtually on Wednesday, May 1 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Women United mobilizes more than 145 amazing women to help ensure that all children living in Lake County have an equal opportunity to start school ready to succeed. Women United also has a vibrant calendar of social, volunteer and philanthropic events to make it fun and doable regardless of your busy schedule.
In special recognition of United Way of Lake County’s 211, the Lake County Board, as well as the Villages of Antioch, Gurnee and Mundelein, and Cities of North Chicago, Waukegan and Zion, have all proclaimedFebruary 11, 2024 as “211 Day”! We are grateful to our local government partners for their generous support of our 211 service, as well as the many other partners and individuals who have contributed to help make 211 a reality for our community.
211 has already made a tremendous impact, making more than 250,000 connections to essential health and human services in Lake County. 211 Day is a wonderful opportunity to continue to raise awareness of this vital service to improve and save lives in our community.
We invite you to help us spread the word about 211. Check out our social media channels for posts to share and visit 211LakeCounty.org for more information and promotional materials.
Black History Month Reading Day in Waukegan
In honor of Black History Month, Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) partnered with us again to coordinate a special reading day at North Elementary in Waukegan. This event brought GLCU readers into classrooms to share stories celebrating Black culture and traditions. GLCU sponsored all the books, which were given to the school after the event.
Thank you, GLCU, for being a wonderful partner! Together, we are not just celebrating Black history; we’re actively building a brighter, equitable future.
Create Your Legacy
Donors from all walks of life at all income levels can make an investment in securing the future of our community. The process is simple, and the impact will last for generations.
There are many ways to make a charitable gift, such as donating stock or securities, using your IRA or donor-advised fund, and including us in your will or living trust. Learn about the many ways to give by clicking below.
Young Professionals Group Makes a Difference
Leaders United members returned to COOL Food Pantry in Waukegan to help organize items and assemble 60 bags of essentials that will be distributed to local veterans.
Know a young professional interested in making a difference in their community? Leaders United provides opportunities such as mentoring local students, volunteer projects, building leadership experience, networking with community leaders, and more.
SUCCESS STORY
Destiny’s Progress
United Way of Lake County’s Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) is a free summer learning program for incoming kindergarten students who have little to no preschool experience. Students enrolled are assessed on skills that are essential for successful learning such as recognizing shapes, letters, counting and writing their names.
When Destiny entered KCC, she had difficulty writing her name. When assessed, she scored a “1” indicating she had not yet begun learning this skill.
KCC teachers worked to help Destiny learn how to write her name. She began by tracing the letters of her name over dotted lines, then graduated to writing her name independently on blank lines while looking at her name. By the end of KCC, she scored a “3” on this skill indicating she was in progress, on her way to proficiency.
Destiny’s mom shared that KCC helped her daughter be better prepared for kindergarten. “She learned how to take the school bus, she learned how to engage with other students and make more friends. She learned how to write her name and she learned her numbers.”
The progress and growth Destiny made in KCC has prepared her for successful learning in kindergarten!
Board Member Update
We are thrilled to welcome Marisa Livingston to our Board of Directors for a two-year term. Marisa is Senior Clinical Supplies Manager at Catalent Pharma Solutions and Chairs our Women United affinity group.
A special thank you to outgoing board members Julie Gordon, J. Ramon Rivera and Lupe Rodriguez for their dedicated service.
Manager, 211 Lake County
We seek an innovative individual passionate about serving others to develop and lead a team in ensuring that 211 Lake County excels in the delivery of referral services and information to the people of Lake County, IL.
