Daniel Salgado-Alvarez, Elk Grove High School Class of 2020, is a remarkable example of how the District 214 Education Foundation’s support can create life-changing opportunities for students that ripple far beyond high school.

Growing up in the Oasis Mobile Home Park in Des Plaines, Daniel was part of the very first Oasis Summer Camp, a program made possible through Foundation funding. With no access to local libraries or park district programs due to the community’s unincorporated status, the camp brings vital educational and recreational resources directly to Oasis, free of charge.

Daniel began as a volunteer the summer before his freshman year and returned for four consecutive summers as a camp leader and STEM station coordinator. “Thanks to the Foundation, not only were we able to offer quality programming for local kids, but I was also paid for my work,” Daniel says. “That financial support meant I could give back to my community without worrying about how to make ends meet over the summer.”

His early experiences with the Oasis Summer Camp sparked a passion for community service and leadership that carried through high school and beyond. Daniel became an advocate for equity in education, working with State Senator Laura Murphy to pass the Cards 4 Kids Act, expanding library access for low-income families across Illinois.

After graduating from Harvard University in 2024 with degrees in Sociology and East Asia Studies, Daniel pursued a path in public service and international relations, including internships at the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia and the East-West Center in Washington, D.C. He is currently serving as a Fulbright English Teaching Fellow in South Korea. “The District 214 Education Foundation made a direct impact on my life,” Daniel says. “Without the Oasis Summer Camp, I wouldn’t have developed the leadership skills, passion, or experiences that helped shape my college applications, career interests, and worldview.” 

The Foundation’s investment in programs like Oasis creates more than just summer fun. It builds leaders, lifts communities, and opens doors. Daniel’s story is just one example of how your support helps D214 students not only dream big, but achieve bigger.