About Us

Our mission is to generate and distribute resources that enrich educational, vocational, and social opportunities for children with disabilities in Lake County.

Supporting the Special Education District of Lake County Since 1991

The Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) is responsible for providing educational opportunities appropriate to the needs of children with physical, mental, and/or emotional challenges from age 3 to 22.

Conditions range from emotional and behavioral disorders to children who are deaf with normal cognitive ability, to children with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or Autism.

Today, SEDOL serves 31 school districts in Lake County and over 2,200 students with special needs.

Approximately 40% of the students come from single-parent family homes and another 40% come from low socio-economic backgrounds.

SEDOL Can’t Do It Alone, That’s Where the Foundation Comes In

Founded in 1991 by SEDOL, the SEDOL Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping special needs children and young adults, their parents and siblings with support and services that the district cannot provide because public funding falls short of the enormous needs.

The Foundation seeks funds and other resources for these families, many of whom are stretched both financially and emotionally.

The SEDOL Foundation works together with SEDOL to bridge the expanding gap between available tax dollars, children’s and family needs, and emerging technology and other enabling resources that can improve and extend the lives of those with special needs.

Providing Enhanced Services and Programs for Our Students To…

  • Improve learning skills and academic achievement

  • Develop the ability to lead more independent and productive lives, including work-related and employability skills

  • Learn appropriate social skills and demonstrate more social confidence

  • Enrich the quality of their lives

Our Goals Also Include…

  • Providing enhanced services/programs for families of special needs children, including counseling, respite care and support services, for example, sign language classes for family caregivers and advocates and summer camp scholarships.

  • Providing technology and equipment where school districts and insurance companies cannot, for example, wheelchairs, assistive technology, strollers, and communication devices.

  • Increasing community awareness, interest, and support for the SEDOL Foundation’s mission.

  • Engaging an active and effective Board of Directors that uses relevant data and established best practices in its fundraising and decision-making.

SEDOL Stories

The SEDOL Foundation is committed to helping children with special needs reach their full potential. See how your support has helped create life-changing opportunities for our community.

Looking to Get Involved?

As the Foundation works to generate resources for children with disabilities, there are various opportunities for members of the community to help out.

Volunteers are critical to the success of the SEDOL Foundation

Whether you have a few hours to give or want a larger role, here are just some of the ways to get involved:

  • Board membership
  • Committee membership
  • Administrative tasks or
  • Special fundraising events... there’s something for everyone!
Get Involved

Volunteering isn’t the only way you can support the SEDOL Foundation’s mission.

The Special Education district cannot cover every need on its own. You can always support the SEDOL Foundation through monetary donations or donations of goods or services.

Every contribution makes a meaningful difference for our community.

Donate

Meet The SEDOL Foundation Board

Board of Trustees

  • Mary Sowers Chair Retired SEDOL Principal
  • Mike Frank Vice Chair Zebra Technologies
  • James Gruber Treasurer Eton Pharmaceuticals
  • David Raye Secretary The Goddard School

Board Members

  • Carl Abrahamson Associated Bank
  • Anthony Adams Retired, Chicago Bears
  • Mike Adams JLL
  • Jerry Allen Libertyville Bank & Trust
  • Mark Bechtold The Federal Savings Bank
  • Kim Bedard-Sharun Valent BioSciences
  • Paul Benjamin The Hechtman Group
  • Bill Bennett Altounian Construction Inc
  • Melissa Brunette AbbVie Inc.
  • Joseph Charneske The Charneske Group
  • Dan Clark
  • Thomas Doherty Pitney Bowes
  • Sue Facklam
  • Stephanie Felinczak Takeda Pharmaceuticals Intl.
  • Amy Giertych
  • Peter Graves GravesDesignGroup
  • Drake Haigh SERVPRO
  • Dr. Michael Karner Lake County Regional Office of Education
  • Karen Peterson
  • Rachael Rock Hollister Incorporated
  • Kevin Rogers Microsoft
  • Benjamin Rubin Rubin Law
  • David Rutkowski
  • Al Scaletta Comcast Business
  • Kristina Scheppa Hollister Incorporated
  • Kim Smith Advocate Condell Centre Club
  • Tracy Wasilewski
  • Mary Witte Tabbert Edward Jones
  • Tom Zengeler Zengeler Cleaners

Emeritus Members

  • Thomas Aldrich
  • John Burnett The Goddard School - Round Lake
  • Richard Daniels Daniels, Long & Pinsel
  • Thomas Kibbe
  • Kurt Kreighbaum Retired, Medline

SEDOL Foundation At A Glance

  • 2000+ Students with Special Needs
  • 31 School Districts
  • 5 Yearly Events
  • 1 Mission

Help Special Needs Children Reach Their Full Potential by Supporting the SEDOL Foundation.

Donate Get Involved