The group was founded in August 2007 in response to a series of tragic incidents in Lake County involving underage drinking and drug use. Recognizing the urgent need for proactive measures, local leaders—including the Mundelein Police Department, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services, and the Lake County After School Coalition—came together to form the STAND UP Task Force. Previously funded by a Drugs Free Community grant, Stand Up worked on prevention by collaborating on community projects, such as the Pond Project, and raising awareness substance use and misuse throughout Mundelein.

In 2017, Stand Up incorporated as its own nonprofit entity, with the goal of charting a path toward independence. As of recent years, Stand Up is funded by a Community Youth Services (CYS) grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services. This grant has allowed us to change our mission and expand our efforts to serve Mundelein youth by guiding them on to college and career pathways. Our prevention efforts now consist of mentors, guest speakers, activism, and educational seminars not only for the youth but for the adults in our community. Our strongest component is our community engagement and their strive to help the youth and each other.

Objective 1. Increase in community engagement for developing and supporting delinquency and violence prevention.

Objective 2. Increase in meaningful youth involvement in the development of delinquency and violence prevention.

Objective 3. Increase youth connection to existing health, employment and human services.

Objective 4. Increase in family communication and supervision of youth.

Objective 5. Increase in life skills development that will lead to self-sufficiency and delay and deter engagement in risk behaviors – alcohol tobacco and other drug use, sexual activity, fighting, gang involvement, etc.

Objective 6. Increase in preparation to continue onto college and high-demand career fields by youth.

Objective 7. Increase educational aspirations by parents for their children.

Objective 8. Improve the physical environment including school climate in local schools within the designated service area through advocacy strategies.

1. Local Business Owner
2. Civic/Volunteer
3. Community Resident
4. School
5. Faith-Based Organizations
6. Local Government
7. Healthcare Agency
8. Judicial Courts
9. Law Enforcement
10. Media
11. Parent
12. Philanthropic
13. Social Services Agency
14. Youth

• Marissa Moravec - President
• Sam Martinez - Vice President
• Valerie Walker - Secretary
• David Zorzy - Treasurer
• Ellie Whelan - Officer
• Terri Frice - Officer
• Aiyana Emsun - Officer
• Alexander Kapotas - Officer
• Gracie Pathman - Officer
• Israel "Izzy" Hernandez - Chairperson / Task Force Liaison
• Bruce Johnson - Board Advisor
• Viviana Arzate - Project Coordinator / Staff Support

Parent Education Committee

• Developmental Workshops
• Parent Outreach: Gathering Data for Areas of Need and Recruitment of New Parent Members
• Gathering Educational and Potential Speakers.
• Developing Parent and Community Education Resources.

Recruitment Committee

• Creating Partnerships with Parents, Community Members, Business Owners and Other Agencies
• Increase Community Engagement in Order To Develop and Support Opportunities for Mundelein Youth
• Connecting with Agencies that Provide Services such as:
• Counseling
• Dispensaries for Food, Clothing and Other Essentials
• Mentoring
• Violence Prevention
• Delinquent Prevention
• College and Career Success
• Networking
• Mentoring
• Internships
• Develop Educational Presentations for Task Force Meetings
• Find Guest Speakers from Organizations

Strategic Planning Committee

• Updating Community Assessment and Action Plan Using Updated Community Data and Address Needs Within Mundelein.
• Determining Action Plan Initiatives to Meet the Needs of the Community and CYS grant.

Sustainability Committee

• Collaborating as a Committee to Ensure Outreach and Strategic Measures are Sustainable for Task Force Growth.
• Growing a Presence in Mundelein
• Community Events
• Sharing Resources
• Review of Funding Sources and Opportunities to Meet the Needs of Activities Within the CYS grant and Community Needs.

Fundraising Committee

• Connecting with Businesses to Sponsor the Needs of the Task Force and Youth
• Scholarships for Seniors
• Events
• Community Level
• Teen-Specific
• Rewards for Youth
• Essentials for Families in Need

Faith-Based Committee

• Connecting with Local Faith-Based Communities for Partnerships
• Gathering Families
• Creating Safe Spaces for Youth Outside of School

The Youth Committee, known as the Stand Up Ambassadors, meets monthly at Mundelein High School. Ambassadors have the opportunity to learn life skills to support their post-secondary journey. Skills such as stress management, money management, and college and career opportunities. The ambassadors work to stay engaged within the community and learn about prevention strategies related to delinquency, violence, and substance use prevention; together they develop monthly awareness activities to build a supportive environment in their community.

Ambassadors assist at booths that take place at Mundelein High School and other community events outside of school hours.

There are workshops that are open to all Mustangs. To become an official member please contact the project coordinator, Viviana Arzate.

Email: [email protected]

Benefits of being an ambassador:

• Ongoing Support
• Meaningful Presentations
• Voice Your Concerns About the Community
• Social Engagement
• Community Impact
• Voice Ideas on Workshops, Guest Speakers, and Themes
• Networking with Community Members
• Letters of Recommendation