First Bank of Highland Park Helps Local Students Go To College

“College Bound Opportunities” Exhibit on Display

Each month, First Bank of Highland Park extends a personal invitation to a local nonprofit organization to feature an exhibition about their work in the community on The Ruth Fell Wander Community Art Wall in its Highland Park lobby. For the month of February, College Bound Opportunities (CBO) will be featured. First Bank of Highland Park and CBO invite members of the community to stop by the bank and learn more about the programs provided to under-resourced students, including ACT Prep classes, assistance with financial aid and college applications, laptops, financial assistance, and one-to-one mentor relationships. These programs make it possible for 97% of CBO scholars to earn a college degree.

To kick off the exhibition, First Bank of Highland Park hosted a reception in the lobby for CBO Board Members, volunteers, scholars and local community leaders, including Mayor Nancy Rotering and Councilman Alyssa Knobel.  "A college education is an important goal for all students,” said Mayor Rotering, “and the City of Highland Park recognizes the critical work of this organization and the support provided by First Bank of Highland Park."

First Bank of Highland Park has been a longtime partner of CBO by providing funds, meeting space, and volunteers, including several mentors. This support has made it possible for College Bound Opportunities to grow from four students in 2006 to 143 current scholars in addition to 25 college graduates. Randy Green, President and CEO of First Bank of Highland Park commented, "First Bank of Highland Park values the mission of College Bound Opportunities to help students in our community become college graduates.” 

The public is invited to view the exhibit during bank hours throughout the month of February.

About College Bound Opportunities:

College Bound Opportunities (CBO) is a not-for-profit organization centered in the ten communities within Deerfield and Highland Park High School District 113 and Lake Forest Community High School District 115. CBO identifies high-achieving but under resourced young people who, without support, would likely forgo post-secondary education and assists them in applying to and completing college. CBO goals are achieved through a program of one-to-one mentoring between volunteers and scholars. Additional aid provided by CBO includes tutoring, training services, laptop computers, and up to $16,000 in financial support. Learn more at http://cbo4success.org. 

About “The Ruth Fell Wander Community Art Wall”

Created in 2002 to showcase novice artwork from local schools and non-profits organizations, The Ruth Fell Wander Community Art Wall honors the late Ruth Fell Wander’s commitment and dedication to the community. In addition to serving on First Bank of Highland Park's Board of Directors, she devoted her time and talents to many philanthropic and civic organizations.