Kane County Sparklers: Lao American Organization of Elgin Wins 2016 Partnership Award
- Editor’s Note: This is the second of a three-part series on Kane County Sparkler Award winners for 2016. Sparkler Awards are presented annually to Kane County organizations, institutions and individuals for excellence in the categories of business, partnership and innovation.
“And the winner is… the Lao American Organization of Elgin.”
When Kane County Board member John Martin made that announcement of the 2016 Kane County Sparkler Award winner, there was no one more happy than the deserving recipients.
And at a time in our nation’s history when social and political forces often seek to divide us, it is gratifying and appropriate that this service organization should be the 2016 winner in the category of partnership.
The Lao American Organization of Elgin was formally established in 1996. Prior to 1996, community leaders supported the Lao American community of Elgin through various programs and activities dating back to the 1960s.
The organization’s mission is to unite and provide assistance to Laotian refugees living in the Elgin and its surrounding cities, with emphasis on educational and social-cultural factors. The group’s activities include developing youth leaders,coordinating medical and health screening for the adult population, holding a summer camp to teach Lao tradition and music, provide senior home-care services and sponsor two scholarships for college students and high school seniors.
Meet 5 More Partnership Nominees
Aurora’s RiverEdge Park
RiverEdge Park has been created to bring stunningly beautiful entertainment, as well as recreational and natural amenities along both banks of the Fox River. The Park’s appeal, as a unique venue and destination, will provide a powerful catalyst for investment and continued development in our downtown and beyond.
RiverEdge Park represents a strong collaborative effort between the public and private sectors, including business people, environmental advocates, developers, and community members.
“We should all be proud of the dynamic nature of this vision, and expect that, as the park comes to life, new elements and activities will be introduced continuously,” Martin said.
Read More: http://riveredgeaurora.com/
Anderson Road Overpass
Here are a few of the project features:
New 2-Mile Roadway and Bridge/Overpass- Provides Travel Route Alternatives
- Improves Response Time for Emergency Vehicles
- Offers a Class II Truck Route
- Safe Grade-Separated Railroad Crossing
- Direct Access to the Elburn Metra Station
- Bicycle/Pedestrian Infrastructure
- Public and Private Sector Partnerships: Kane County, Village of Elburn, Blackberry Township, Metra, Union Pacific Railroad, and Landowners
Read More: Celebration in Elburn: Anderson Road Overpass Ribbon Cutting Set for Dec. 7
Blackberry Township’s McNair Field
Blackberry Township recently received a Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund check administered through Kane County. Blackberry Township does not have a park and recreation program, so the intergovernmental agreement with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County and the collaborative efforts of the various sport groups was necessary to make the sport fields a reality.
The property will be developed over time in cooperation with local youth sport groups into sport fields. In addition to sport fields for several hundred youth, the long-term plans include walking and bike paths, as well as a play area.
Read More: Kaneland United website
School District 300/Elgin Community College Tuition Partnership
This groundbreaking partnership between a Kane County high school and a Kane County community college makes it possible for students to earn college credits — at no tuition charge — while they’re still in high school. District 300 recently announced the new partnership with Elgin Community College that will provide qualified high school seniors the opportunity to enroll at ECC full-time and earn college credit hours, tuition free.
Read More: Groundbreaking D300 / ECC Partnership Lets High School Seniors Earn College Credit — Tuition Free
Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin
The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin is a not-for-profit, volunteer-driven organization focused on enhancing the economic vitality of downtown Elgin through promotions, special events, economic development and historic preservation. DNA utilizes the National Main Street’s 4-Point Approach to downtown revitalization and is a designated Illinois Main Street Community.
Their goals include:
- Be the “Keeper of the Vision” for downtown.
- Create and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders.
- Provide a united and authoritative voice on downtown issues.
- Cultivate the leadership required to implement necessary actions.
- Garner resources to successfully implement the revitalization effort.
- Market the positives of downtown and diminish the misconceptions.
- Enhance the physical image and appearance of downtown.
- Support economic growth and a diversified tax base.
- Educate community about the value of a thriving downtown and DNA’s role in it.
- Support and assist with the city’s downtown capital improvement projects.
If you have been downtown Elgin lately, you would agree that they are a worthy nominee. If you have not been lately, you need to go this summer and see for yourself.
Read More: DowntownElgin.com
Read More in This Series
2016 Sparkler Award Nominees and Winners
Innovation Category
- IN2 / Illinois Math & Science Academy
- Kane County Fiber Optic Network
- Kane Health Counts
- Kane County OpenGov website
- Waubonsee Vision 2050: A Future Beyond Expectations
- 2016 INNOVATION AWARD WINNER: Troy Mertz, The Conservancy, with the Village of Gilberts
Partnership Category
- Aurora River’s Edge Park
- Anderson Road Overpass
- Blackberry Township / McNair Field
- D300/Elgin Community College tuition partnership
- Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin
- 2016 PARTNERSHIP AWARD WINNER: Lao American Organization of Elgin (LAOE)
Business Category
- ALE Solutions
- Chicago Premium Outlets
- Clarke
- Otto Engineering/Tom Roeser with the Villages of Carpentersville, West Dundee and East Dundee
- Riverbank Laboratories
- 2016 BUSINESS AWARD WINNER: Kane County Cougars
