opportunities for academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, recreation, field trips, and family support for qualifying students across our community.

"We could feel the excitement from families the moment they walked through the doors," said Associate Program Directors Lizzy Doty and Karla Kampen. "Many of our students have been counting down the days until summer program begins. Seeing families reconnect, meet new friends, and get excited about all that is ahead reminds us why this work is so meaningful."

generosity helps make this life-changing program possible.

"Summer learning opportunities like those offered through GECRC have a lasting impact on children and families," said Alan Taylor, President of the GECRC Board of Directors. "We are grateful to the many supporters who invest in this work and help ensure that every child has access to a safe, enriching, and inspiring summer experience."

As the 2026 Summer Program gets underway, community members are invited to become part of the experience. Volunteers are needed throughout the summer, and local leaders, professionals, and community members are encouraged to sign up as Mystery Readers to help inspire a love of reading among participants.

Those interested in volunteering, serving as a Mystery Reader, or making a donation to support the Summer Program can visit GECRC's website to learn more. Every hour volunteered and each dollar donated helps create opportunities for children to learn, grow and succeed. We look forward to an incredible summer ahead and are grateful to everyone who helped make this evening and program possible.

We were thrilled to announce the winner of this year's GECRC Glenbard South senior tutor scholarship at the Senior Raider Recognition and Scholarship Night in May.

Congratulations to Samuel Rickert!

The award was presented by GECRC Executive Director Sarah O’Donnell and GECRC Communications and Volunteer Coordinator Emily Lobdell.

Two GECRC Tutor Scholarships were awarded to Sophia Fanella and Elissa Zaimi at the Glenbard West Local Scholarship Award Night. Awards were presented by GECRC Board Member Karen Winter and Executive Director Sarah O’Donnell.

Two Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center Alumni Scholarships were also awarded to Jaipreet Singh and Christian Gallegos. While neither of our alumni winners was able to attend the Scholarship night, we are sharing some historical photos of these wonderful students below.

Thank you to all of the members of the GECRC Scholarship Committee for your time and generosity, and congratulations to Christian, Jaipreet, Sophia, Elissa and Samuel!

Former GECRC Program Director and current Glenbard West social worker Jackie Reeves signs the back of Christian's' T-shirt during a senior spirit day this year .

Former GECRC Executive Director Leah Harding poses in 2019 with Christian (to her right) and Jaipreet (to her left) and other Churchill students.

In 2024, then sophomore Jaipreet presented his Hadley tutor John Walker with the Stuart S. Stone Citizen of the Year award at the Glen Ellyn Community Awards.

Thank you so much to the Pfister family (pictured above) for not only offering a generous Match challenge at the 2026 Literary Event in support of GECRC students, but also for being an integral part of awarding the inaugural Janis Pfister Literacy award, named for their beloved wife and mother, as well as our cherished former board member and Literary Event Committee Chair, Janis Pfister, Two awards were given; one to Churchill third grader Iang, and one to second grader Robert. The awards recognize the students' love of reading and incredible dedication and improvement in that endeavor. Photos of both award ceremonies are below. To learn more about the award, please click here to watch a short video from GECRC.

We are thrilled to welcome our summer staff to Arbor View this summer for our first-ever full-day Summer Program! Our classroom instructors and camp counselors were excited to show off their new STAFF shirts, and were even more ecstatic to hand out matching shirts to our volunteer interns and camp participants at the Meet the Staff Night kickoff on June 12. Be on the lookout for these bright blue shirts in our community, as GECRC will be representing brightly during camp field trips on Fridays and some Thursdays,

Thank you to all who joined us for this year’s GECRC Literary Event. What a beautiful evening filled with friendship, generosity and community. Even with a few unexpected plot twists along the way, the evening reflected what makes this community so special: neighbors showing up for each other with warmth, grace, and unwavering support for children and families.

A special thank you to community member Willie DiFabio and Shannon Burgess from The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn for their inspiring conversation connecting Willie’s Appalachian Trail experiences to the themes of 'Heartwood.' We’re also grateful to the Bookstore's bookseller team for sharing this summer’s must-read titles, and to Clingen, Callow & McLean for sponsoring the sold-out Book Pull and gift certificate prizes. The creativity and generosity of our local book clubs who curated raffle baskets for the event was truly incredible. Congratulations to "Novels and Neighbors" for being named this year’s winning book club!

We also send heartfelt gratitude and warm wishes to Amity Gaige for her special video message and the spirit she brought to the evening. One of the most meaningful moments of the night was sharing stories of GECRC students and families. To revisit the Mission Moment video or share it with friends and family, please visit our website.

We’re also deeply grateful to Dan Anderson and the Pfister Family for offering a generous Match Challenge in support of GECRC students. If you would still like to participate, please visit our website to have your gift go twice as far.

To our Literary Event Committee, sponsors, volunteers, Arrowhead Golf Club, photographer Sarah Merryweather, and every guest who joined us - thank you for believing in the power of education, opportunity, and community connection for every GECRC student.

We are thrilled to announce that our second annual Mahjong fundraiser on Tuesday, June 16 is SOLD OUT! We are very much looking forward to a lively evening of hands-on play and connection as the community comes together to support the students of GECRC! So much gratitude to our presenting sponsor, Two Hands Interiors, as well as to Missy Mahjong for returning to guide both beginning and intermediate players in this beloved event!

Celebrating Volunteers of the Month

GECRC is delighted to honor three outstanding volunteers whose energy, compassion, and commitment have made a remarkable impact this spring. Congratulations to

Dr. Robert Dieter, Mark Brilliantes and Skylar Swinford, our March, April and May Volunteers of the Month! Click here to read more about them and their valuable work around GECRC and the community on our Facebook page.

This spring has been a powerful reminder of how deeply our community shows up for GECRC. From hands-on service projects to in-kind donations and local partnerships, your generosity continues to fuel joyful experiences for our students and strengthen our programs in meaningful ways.

We are incredibly grateful to our Literary Event Committee (pictured) and to all of the Book Clubs who donated items for our raffle baskets for the event.

We are so grateful to the Glenbard West Fashion Club for their generous donation from the proceeds of their annual Fashion Show held at the Gle Ellyn Boathouse.

Thank you to the Bookstore of Glen Ellyn for conducting their annual Blind Date with a Book initiative in the month of February to raise money for GECRC as well as for their donated books given as gifts to our "graduating" 5th grade students.

Thank you to Go Green Glen Ellyn and the Glen Ellyn Park District for your in-kind donations of gently used sporting equipment for our Summer Program. We are also grateful to the Glen Ellyn Lions Club for their pizza donations for our end of year class celebrations.

We are also appreciative for our deepened partnerships with Glen House Food Pantry and the Kiwanis Club of Glen Ellyn. This summer, the two organizations have teamed up to ensure all of our Summer Program participants receive fresh fruit each day and snack bags to go home for the weekend.

Thank you to every donor, volunteer, partner, and neighbor who continues to lift up GECRC. Your in-kind support not only meets essential needs—it brings joy, dignity, and opportunity to the children and families we serve. We are grateful beyond measure. If you have a unique idea for supporting GECRC families, please feel welcome to reach out to us. To share your ideas, email Sarah O'Donnell.

A huge thank-you to the organizations who recently supported GECRC’s five after-school programs—through grants, financial gifts, and generous in-kind donations. Your partnership advances our mission and makes a real difference for our students!

Grants:

Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare

Northwestern Medicine

Rotary Club of Glen Ellyn

Literary and Mahjong Event Sponsors and In-Kind Donors:

Allstate Insurance- Mulcare Insurance | Always Great Smiles | Amy Storm & Co

Dan Anderson | Balance Yoga +Pilates | Beyond CPAs | The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn

The Bruno Family | Casey's Gas Station | Clingen Callow & McLean | Custom Direct | Dogtopia

Ellyn & Main | Exploring Flooring | Fash Counseling | First American Mortgage- Dan Palumbo G. Carl Ball Family Foundation | Glen Ellyn Bank & Trust | Glen Ellyn Junior Womens Club

Glenbard Parent Series | Glenwood Station - Holladay | Theresa Hiser | J Umlauf Design Kiwanis Club of Glen Ellyn | Koze | Missy Mahjong | Park & Oak | Parkway Bank

Quest Food Service | Sarah Merryweather Photography | Saylor & Murphy Orthodontics

Sign Identity | Simon & Schuster | Tailwinds Psychology | TKS Design

Two Hands Interiors | Wholesale Energy Experts

Clearing out those closets and drawers? GECRC Summer Program could use some gently used shorts and pants for students, size children’s XS to adult S. With lots of outdoor play and water games, we may need backup clothing on hand! Clothes may be dropped off directly to Arbor View School during the hours of 10AM to 2PM, Monday through Friday. Thank you so much for your support!