HELPING KIDS STAY HEALTHY IN THE SUMMER!
Summer Lunch Program
For families in poverty, the start of summer can mean more than warmth and sunshine; it can mean hunger. In south Waukegan, a large percentage of our families are classified as ‘in poverty’ – equivalent to a family of 4 with income of $24,300 or less. All of the students qualify for free breakfast and lunch at school throughout the academic year. When summer break starts, the nutritious meals at school end and hunger begins for many kids. This is where Beacon Place steps in. The Summer Lunch Bunch Program is designed to provide lunch and day camp activities for children ages 4-14 who rely on a subsidized meal during regular school year.
From June through August each summer, children can come to Beacon Place to enjoy a nutritious meal on site, and then stay for an afternoon of traditional ‘day camp’ activities including games, crafts, sports, computers, music, and more. Fresh air and outdoor exercise are an important part of a healthy life for children and Beacon Place provides a safe place to play and enjoy summer the way it should be.
“A lot of parents don’t let their kids go to the park or play outside. At Beacon Place, I see parents bring their kids because they know the kids are safe and will have a good lunch. I think Beacon Place has changed this part of our neighborhood.”
– Juan, age 17
BUT SOMETIMES LUNCH IS NOT ENOUGH….
While the children are busy, parents stay and enjoy programs on nutrition, health, overall wellness, and parent support in our MOMS Program. The Summer Lunch Bunch program is held every Monday and Thursday, from 12:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. In addition, as a part of our Backpack Program each Thursday, every child leaves with a bag of food including enough food for six meals on the weekend including whole fresh fruits and vegetables. At the end of the summer, the child receives a backpack to keep, filled with supplies to start the school year.
To make all of this happen, an amazing force of high school, college, and adult volunteers ensure that there is a camper/volunteer ratio of approximately 5:1. Special activities and events such as carnival day, petting zoo, reptile rampage, art in the park, and safety day, turn our campus into a place of summer fun for more than 200 kids each year.
My favorite thing about Beacon Place is having fun and making crafts with all my friends in the neighborhood. My sister, brother and cousins come here too because we know it’s safe and that we can play outside. – Stephanie, Age 10
