Success Stories

Since its launch in 2017, Summer Up! has been transforming students’ lives year after year. With an average of 150 participants each summer and partnerships with over 25 diverse programs, students have endless opportunities to explore, learn, and grow—all within a welcoming and inclusive environment.

“Over half of the reading achievement gap is attributable to unequal access to summer learning opportunities, underscoring the importance of these programs.”

- Harvard University

2024

  • 96% of participants reported being satisfied or highly satisfied.

  • 93% said they would recommend the program to others.

  • 100% of employers expressed satisfaction and plan to host interns again.

2023

  • 98% of participants were satisfied and would recommend the program.

  • 50% of partnering employers made permanent hires.

2022

  • Served 175 students with 73 college programs, 36 outdoor adventures, and 66 paid internships, with 80% of employers hiring interns full-time.

Testimonals

“I would recommend the summer to students because I had a wonderful experience and I'm sure others will too. I learned a lot and grew closer to my friends!”

- Kimberly Guerra
Rosalind Franklin Program

“Mrs. Carter works compassionately, and tirelessly, to provide our children with outstanding job opportunities and educational programs that are typically reserved for affluent communities. The Summer Up organization is truly a blessing and will continue to yield fruit for North Chicago for many generations to come.”

- Alicia Coleman 
Parent

Ricky, who attended “The Amazing Brain” program at Augustana College as a rising junior, was amazed by the professors and the classes. It was school like he’d never seen it before. “They’re trying to teach you like a real college student. We did a lot of learning through listening, and the professor gave us time to talk in our groups. He was open-minded about everything. If we had a question, he would stop the class and answer our question. That was pretty impressive.”

It went beyond the classroom too. Everything about the place was a change in the way he was used to doing things. “You had to be in class on time and make sure you had everything. We didn’t use our phone to get places on time: we just used our brains.

Life on a college campus had an impact on Ricky. “It’s a good learning experience. It teaches you how to be independent and to be a bigger person. I learned a lot, and I was open-minded about everything. I felt like a grown man there because we were so independent.”

- Ricky
Summer Up!
Augustana College Experience

Berenice’s summer experience at the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s program “Focus on Nursing” cemented her interest in health care. She was one of 18 high schoolers– one of four from North Chicago– to get this unique taste of college and career. 

“I think my freshman year, I really started looking into neonatal nursing.” Berenice’s niece was born premature, so this nursing specialty caught her attention. She felt lucky that a neonatal nurse came to talk to her group during her Summer Up! week at MSOE. 

“My parents say, ‘If you go away to college, it’s going to be hard for us, but we will support you.’ They’re fully supportive of my decisions.

- Bernice
Milwaukee School of Engineering College Experience

“Summer Up! has allowed countless North Chicago students to participate in meaningful and empowering summer experiences.  I have witnessed that participating students return to school in the fall more confident and with a renewed sense of motivation and purpose. It has been an invaluable part of the personal development of numerous North Chicago students!”

-Jeff Hollenstein  
North Chicago Community High School
Lead Teacher-Work-Study Program

“You actually get to see what you’ve accomplished- hiking all the way to the top of the mountain,” Luis says, still excited to talk about his experience even weeks after returning home from an extraordinary trip to the Rocky Mountains. “It was an amazing time- seeing the stars, seeing the beautiful mountains and landscape.”  

With a big smile, Luis’ mom listens to the stories Luis shares. “My biggest concern was being away from him,” but she’s quick to say that her worries were nothing compared to what they both learned. “It taught me that there’s a lot of things out there that could help them grow and experiences that they can have – they just need to go out and find them.”

Visiting new places and learning new skills was rewarding, but it ended up that teamwork and leadership were what made the biggest impact on Luis. “It makes me feel great that I had this opportunity to go out and see the potential I have– and expressing it. Pushing myself. Being part of a family– our group.”

- Luis
Chicago Voyagers
Colorado Camping Experience

“I was born in Belize, the youngest of nine kids. I want to be a veterinarian. Sometimes my career choice switches. But I definitely want to be in the medical field, so I’m covering all my bases, not limiting myself. I think it’s helping me grow.”

“In the six-week internship, I learned how to adapt to hearing people’s stories. It made me better at understanding people. Sometimes it was hard talking to patients. You don’t really know what to say. You have to comfort them in a way that they know that you’re comforting them.”

“An opportunity like this is a big one, so appreciate it. Be humble working there, because we sometimes take our blessings and what we’re given for granted. I think I’ve grown. The more I worked there, the humbler I got. When you come to a place like CTCA, you realize, ‘Wow, the things that I was complaining about, they were nothing!’”

- Abigail
Summer Up! Internship
Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Summer Up! Partners, Past and Present:

  • A.J. Katzenmaier Elementary School

  • A-Plus Construction

  • Augustana College 

  • Big Idea Boot Camp

  • Camp For All Kids

  • Chicago Voyagers

  • City of North Chicago

  • City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago

  • College of Lake County

  • Community Action Partnership of Lake County

  • Cool Learning Experience

  • Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep

  • CLC: Green Farm at the NC Greenbelt Forest Preserve

  • Eastern Illinois University

  • Employee Connections

  • Foss Park District

  • Gorter Family Foundation

  • Green Bay Early Childhood Center

  • iBIO StellarGirls

  • iBIO STEMGirls Camp

  • Indiana State University

  • J & J Homes

  • Journey Church 

  • Lake County Workforce Development

  • LEARN 6 Charter

  • LEARN 10 Charter

  • MAPCORPS

  • Marielle Purple Hearts Childcare

  • MIKVA / State Legislative Office

  • Milwaukee School of Engineering

  • Minority & Women Urban Farms

  • Mosaic Hub Ministries

  • Neal Math and Science Academy

  • North Chicago Community High School

  • North Chicago Public Library

  • North Chicago School District 187

  • Northern Illinois University

  • NorthShore University HealthSystem

  • Rosalind Franklin University

  • Safe Travel Transportation

  • Saint Mary’s College

  • State Representative Rita Mayfield’s Office

  • Smarthinking PR

  • Steans Family Foundation

  • Step-By-Step Daycare

  • StudioNorth

  • The University of Iowa

  • University Center of Lake County 

  • Vista Medical Center

  • Western Illinois University

  • YouthBuild Lake County

  • YTC Repair & Tech Camp