Summer fun began at Batavia Apartments, where community spirit thrives. In June, Eagle Scout Aidan Post led youth residents in beautifying the area by planting flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables and painting birdhouses. The project, funded by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening, was supported by the University of Illinois Extension, which helped maintain the gardens and provided nutrition education.

Fifth Third Bank joined the summer programming at the Bounce into Banking event. Bank volunteers rolled up on a bus equipped with offices and computers where residents met with local bankers to ask financial questions and check their credit scores. A few days earlier, youth residents learned about creating a small business. Wasting no time, the kids opened a lemonade stand at Bounce into Banking and donated their $21 proceeds to Feed My Starving Children! Thank you to Chapelstreet Church for providing residents with a delicious, donated dinner.

Meanwhile, about 200 residents and their families gathered to celebrate summer at the Rock the Block party, highlighted by the always popular foam machine donated by CHIP IN. After working up an appetite, residents enjoyed delicious tacos donated by Oak Street Health and lemonade from Cane’s Chicken.

Tri City Health and Dental and Tri City Family Services also visited residents this summer to discuss their free healthcare clinic and parent support programs. Batavia United Way stopped by to sign children up for preschool scholarships and Imagination Library. DuPage Children’s Museum engaged youth with hands-on STEAM activities, and the local swimming school, Goldfish, gave a water safety presentation. It was a busy summer for Batavia residents!