Waubonsee Community College is converting some space on its Sugar Grove campus into a center meant to support student parents, the college announced recently.
The new dedicated space, called the Center for Parenting Students, is meant to support the “unique needs of learners balancing academics with parenthood,” a news release from Waubonsee said.
To help fund the initiative, Waubonsee is receiving $450,000 in federal funds secured by U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, according to the news release. Those funds will be used to convert some existing campus spaces throughout the college’s campus in Sugar Grove into child-friendly spaces for student parents, as an extension of the Center for Parenting Students.
Last year, Waubonsee implemented a similar effort, partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Illinois to launch a free, on-campus after-school care program at the college’s downtown Aurora campus. The program provides care for elementary-aged children of enrolled Waubonsee students from 3:45 to 9:30 p.m. inside the college building.
Starting in January, the news release said, the college also began offering a free shuttle for students between the Sugar Grove and Aurora campuses.
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“At Waubonsee, nearly one in five of our students balance the responsibilities of parenthood while pursuing their dreams,” Waubonsee Community College President Brian Knetl said in the release. “We are removing the barriers to their success and honoring the grit they show every day as they strive toward their educational goals.”