Croia youth program highlights growth, fundraising; student wins Spirit of Croia essay contest

Croia representatives briefed the Lake Forest City Council on June 16 about youth programming, participation increases and fundraising efforts and introduced Mikayla Berry, winner of the Margo Martino Spirit of Croia essay contest, who read her essay to council members.

The update outlined participation, program types and fundraising that the nonprofit Croia has used to support operations and a planned kitchen renovation for its facility. Staff said the organization ran roughly 381 programs this year, served more than 8,000 participants across programs, and logged over 3,300 after‑school drop‑in attendances. Croia reported about $60,000 in user fees and donations and roughly $40,000 raised at the organization’s February fundraiser; together those funds and prior revenues left about $125,000 earmarked for a planned kitchen renovation, and staff said design and engineering quotes are now being solicited.

Todd Dehigian, identified as Croia manager, described program highlights — retreats, service trips, Battle of the Bands, Girls Night In and cooperative events with the police department — and said Croia was asked to provide peer training for the high school’s incoming freshman advisory program to reach roughly 300 students next school year. He introduced Kate Lee, outgoing Croia executive chair, and students who helped run the program.

Mikayla Berry, who served as Croia’s service and leadership chairwoman and was the contest winner, read an essay describing what Croia meant to her and how peer training and leadership opportunities shaped her high‑school experience. During council Q&A she told Alderman Webber she will attend Fairfield University and study communications.

Council members thanked Croia staff and the student winner. No council votes were required for the presentation; staff said they will check on design quotes and coordinate with city hall about distribution of commemorative shirts.