At the local level, issues stemming from poverty hit close to home. While DuPage County is one of the richest in the state, approximately 12.1% of West Chicago’s population lives below the poverty line (a number just under the national average), and 50% of the students at West Chicago Community High School are considered low-income, meaning their family makes less than $50,000 per year.
Administration at the high school is keenly aware of the role care plays in supporting those affected by poverty.
“There’s all kinds of funds and monies at the federal and state level that we utilize to really support those families,” high school principal Dr. Will Dwyer said, citing the McKinney-Vento legislation, enacted in 1987, as one means of ensuring students who are experiencing homelessness have access to education.
“It’s a federal law, and then we enact it at a state level. Right before school, we do a supply drive. We bring them whatever supplies they need. So it’s backpacks, toiletries, school supplies, clothing, all of it. We keep incredible amount of supplies like that on hand every year. And then, as kids need things, boom, we just help them out,” Dwyer said.
The high school also provides free and reduced lunch to those in need, and for the last three years, has offered free breakfast to all students.
“We just think it’s easier if people don’t even have to go through the process of identifying that, ‘we struggle with money,’ or ‘we struggle with food security. Can you help us out?’ If it’s free, you come in, you grab something at H or B, take it, go. It’s just helping feed more kids who need it,” Dwyer said.
The school was instrumental in providing aid to those displaced by the fire that impacted West Chicago’s Main Park Apartments last fall, and is now looking toward the future, hoping to further a partnership with organizations such as the West Chicago Neighborhood Food Pantry in the months to come, and continue seeking input from a parent, teacher, and student advisory committee.
Even Aug. 22’s open house offers the opportunity for the school to support those in need, as free backpacks filled with supplies will be offered to the first 100 families.
“No questions asked. If you need that, take it. It’s yours,” Dwyer said.
