Program gives teens information on college

They are daring the public to dream.

College of DuPage, Keeneyville Elementary District 20 and Lake Park High School District 108 have joined forces to organize a college night and job fair designed for parents and students alike.

The event, part of the trio's Dare to Dream program, will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Spring Wood Middle School in Hanover Park.

"This is the first time, so we're probably going to start out slowly," said Dorothy Dirks, assistant superintendent of curriculum at District 20. "But we hope that our kids come out. I think we'll gain momentum as time goes on."

The job fair will feature at least seven different area employers, and college night is designed for children in fifth grade through high school.

The goal is to introduce them to college. Eight different departments from College of DuPage will be present --architecture, biology, chemistry, engineering, information technology, math, nursing and robotics.

"We want to broaden their horizons about what they can they do with their lives," Dirks said. "There are kids who never thought about going to college. Some of them drop out in their junior year (of high school)."

Since District 20 has a large Spanish-speaking population, almost 28 percent, the event will be assisted by a volunteer liaison who speaks Spanish.

"We've become more diverse and it's been an exciting challenge," Dirks said.

Parents also will have the opportunity to learn about how to go about applying for financial aid and other options for financing college education.

If the event is successful, organizers plan to host it again next year.

If you go

What: College Night and Job Fair

When: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday

Where: Spring Wood Middle School, 5540 Arlington Drive, Hanover Park

Cost: Free

Details: (630) 894-2250