Our History
Our History Begins With a Plea for Help
Waukegan to College began in response to an urgent plea from the Waukegan community: “I don’t want my son to be stuck doing landscaping or my daughter working long, hard hours cleaning hotel rooms because they didn't go to college.”
These Waukegan parents knew they had neither the experience nor expertise to guide their first-generation college bound children on the pathway to college graduation. The school system was equally inadequate to meet their needs.
Waukegan to College Was Born to Answer Their Plea
We formed in 2009 as a result of a series of listening sessions in Waukegan churches and other local institutions. The sessions — sponsored by Lake County United — highlighted a universal need and urgent priority to help their sons and daughters get to and through college graduation.
Our beginnings were humble,
but our growth has been impressive!
From our 2009 launch with 25 students and one staff member, we've grown to 182 scholars, a full-time staff of seven, and 150+ amazing volunteers who work as board members, tutors, and mentors.
182
scholars
9
staff members who are fully-dedicated professionals
150+
volunteers who work as board members, tutors, and mentors