Sauk Valley Community College’s Impact Program Transforms Lives

The Impact Program at Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) has made significant strides since its inception four years ago. Designed to support high school students within the SVCC district, this program enables participants to earn their tuition by volunteering within their communities. The program serves students from Whiteside, Lee, and parts of Bureau, Ogle, Henry, and Carroll counties, tackling regional challenges such as poverty and low educational attainment.

Launched in 2021 for students from Fulton and Prophetstown, the program has reached a milestone as its first cohort begins their freshman year at SVCC this autumn. According to Lori Cortez, Vice President of Advancement at SVCC, seeing these students in the college hallways is gratifying. “It’s like a culmination of all the work we’ve done,” she stated. Out of the initial cohort of 18 students, approximately 14 are pursuing degrees in high-demand fields such as education, agriculture, manufacturing, welding, and healthcare. These sectors are critical to the local economy.

Many students credit the Impact Program with making college accessible. One student mentioned they might not have attended college without it, while another highlighted a lack of parental support as a barrier to their education. Cortez emphasized the importance of this support, stating, “To be able to offer that for our students is a really big deal.”

To participate, students must enroll by September 1 of their freshman year to receive full tuition coverage. Those who sign up in their sophomore year are eligible for 75% coverage, while juniors can receive 50%. Each participant must complete 25 hours of community service annually and graduate from an in-district high school on time or early. The program collaborates with 286 local organizations that offer a variety of volunteer opportunities, with 87 events listed in November alone.

Local organizations have expressed appreciation for the program. Rachel Swihart, office manager at Open Door Community Church in Sterling, remarked, “Neither our tech team nor our kids’ ministry would function as smoothly without the Impact Program students.” She noted the formation of long-lasting relationships with volunteers, some of whom have continued their involvement even after completing their required hours. One student, who began volunteering in 2021, later got baptized and took on a leadership role in the church’s children’s Christmas program.

The program has also positively affected local fundraising efforts. Members of the Rotary Club in Walnut reported increased fundraising success and membership growth. Additionally, Rob Bates, President of the Dixon’s Petunia Festival, stated that the festival relies heavily on Impact Program volunteers for setup and teardown, which allows them to provide more events and services.

Funded entirely by donations, the Impact Program has raised over $8 million to cover tuition for students from Polo, Milledgeville, Fulton, and Prophetstown. Each high school in the district has specific fundraising goals, calculated based on SVCC’s enrollment figures and projected growth. Notably, a generous $1 million donation from a resident of Fulton helped fully fund its tuition goal.

Other districts like Milledgeville and Polo also reached their funding targets, while Dixon, Sterling, and Rock Falls are working towards the highest goal of $2 million each. As of now, Dixon has raised $106,000, Sterling $96,000, and Rock Falls $95,000. Efforts are ongoing in Bureau Valley, Amboy, Oregon, and Newman, each aiming for $600,000 in funding.

The Impact Program operates as a last-dollar scholarship, covering any remaining tuition costs not met by other financial aid or scholarships. As a result, all Impact students are expected to graduate from SVCC without incurring student loan debt. According to the program’s community dashboard, as of November 25, a total of 1,887 registered students have completed 98,269 volunteer hours across 288 local organizations since the program began.

For additional information about the Impact Program, interested parties can visit the program’s website or contact Cortez directly at [email protected].