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CLC, Buffalo Grove Park District lauded for career exploration event

The College of Lake County's TRiO Educational Talent Search Scholars Program, along with the Buffalo Grove Park District, were named co-winners on Nov. 1 of a Best-of-the-Best Partnership Award in the nongovernmental category from the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

Both CLC and the park district were recognized for jointly creating an annual Career Discovery Day at the Buffalo Grove Park District since 2017. The event has allowed nearly 400 underrepresented high school students from Lake County to visit the Raupp Museum, parks, community art center and fitness centers in Buffalo Grove to learn about careers in the park and recreation field, according to Dr. Sharon Sanders-Funnye, CLC director of Educational Talent Search Grants.

The long-term equity and inclusion goal of the project is to increase underrepresented minorities in full-time employment in the parks and recreation field, added Sanders-Funnye, who spearheaded and coordinated the project with Debbie Fandrei, Raupp Museum curator for the park district.

"Our annual student surveys indicate ETS scholars were not aware of the available career opportunities prior to the visits, but they expressed interest in learning more about these types of careers," said Sanders-Funnye.

"Following each Career Discovery Day, the scholars said they wanted to participate in the event again, and they would recommend the experience to their peers."

Federally funded, with assistance from CLC, the TRiO Educational Talent Search Scholars program is a pro-college educational offering, serving students at target high schools such as Zion-Benton, North Chicago, Round Lake, Waukegan and other Lake County area schools.

Based in Springfield, the Illinois Association of Park Districts is a statewide organization representing more than 450 park, recreation and conservation organizations and corporate members.

For details on CLC, visit www.clcillinois.edu.

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