Rockland Cares Raises $700 for College-Readiness Program

Gloomy skies and occasional rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the Rockland Cares car washers on Sept. 24. A crew of Rockland School students and their parents braved the weather to run a car wash to benefit the college-readiness program, Waukegan to College (W2C). Several members of W2C also participated in getting cars sparkling clean.

Over $700 was raised and will be used for college visits for W2C families. “This was such a generous outpouring of support from the Libertyville community. The money raised will help our families envision their children on a college campus,” said Elyse Danckers, W2C Program Coordinator.

Fourth grade student, Claudia Moxo, proposed that Rockland Cares support W2C last spring. “In Waukegan not many students go to college, sometimes because parents don’t know how to help their kids or the students need some extra help with subjects like math and English. W2C helps families understand how to get to college and gives kids the extra help they need,” said Moxo. The plan was accepted and the car wash was organized to raise money for the program. Rockland students will also recycle their magazines to be donated to W2C reading programs.

According to Michele Phillips, Rockland Cares Chair, the purpose of Rockland Cares is to organize events/drives that allow Rockland families and students to help those in need within our community. "We are really trying to get the students at Rockland involved as much as possible. We want them to learn that giving back is rewarding, that together we can make a difference and that by working together, it takes very little effort to accomplish our goal."

Waukegan to College helps first-generation-college-going families understand and pursue the path to college. The program includes, one-on-one counseling, tutoring, mentoring and family workshops. W2C’s 52 students range from 5th grade to college. A team of over 60 volunteers supports the program. For more information about volunteering, contact Elyse Danckers, elyse.danckers@yahoo.com.

W2C was founded by Lake County United, a broad-based citizens’ organization
composed of 38 churches, synagogues, mosques, and nonprofit organizations that work to improve the quality of life of Lake County's residents: www.lakecountyunited.org/w2c.htm.