Access to Quality Education for the Underprivileged

Education is something that everyone deserves; however, throughout the USA, there are extreme inequalities in the education system. In Illinois specifically, districts in affluent neighborhoods, such as districts 204 and 203, have graduation rates more than 10% above the state average, along with more opportunities like clubs, extracurriculars, sports, and easier access to tutoring. Conversely, districts such as 189 and 131, which are in less affluent areas, see graduation rates 10% below the state average, as well as fewer opportunities for their students as stated in the Illinois State Report Cards. As a result, we hereby propose a solution that will help all students in Illinois take a step forward to obtaining equal and quality education and combat this glaring inequality. Similar to how IMSA has a Peer Tutoring Program/Discord, we want to create several Peer Tutoring Discords that are accessible to any student in Illinois, especially to students living in less affluent areas. These Discords will have a similar setup to how IMSA’s Discord is set up, where there are multiple different channels for different subjects (such as Math, Science, Social Studies, English, and etc.). Peer Tutors are also a must, so any 10th to 12th-grade students, as well as college students, will be eligible for volunteer hours through our Peer Tutor program. They must also be tested to be qualified to tutor for any subject. This way, students who need help will receive tutoring from qualified peers, and peers will receive volunteer hours that they can add to their resume. The Peer Tutor Program will also encourage collaboration between students from very different backgrounds, which will lead to more experience and growth as a student and peer

UIC Urban Health Club

The UIC Urban Health Program Urban Health Club (UHC) is an initiative that aims to bridge the gap between high school students and healthcare careers. The program\u27s primary objective is to expose students to various health professions and career pathways. Through in-person community events, interviews, and research, students participating in the program have the opportunity to identify health disparities within their community. This information is then compiled into digital media formats, such as infographics, that help raise awareness about these issues. Over the course of six months, the UHC provides students with a comprehensive curriculum that includes opportunities to meet various health professionals. Additionally, the UHC provides students with training and certifications that help them become better prepared for their future roles in healthcare. These include Naloxone administration and the opportunity to become COVID-19 vaccine ambassadors. This role involves helping promote vaccination and educate people about its importance. Finally, UHC offers students opportunities to attend discussions about health policies and wellness clinics. Through these events, students learn more about the factors that impact health outcomes and the policies that can improve them. Students compile this information into infographics, which can be shared with the community to promote awareness and education