Our Story

In 2021, A Bigger World launched The Academy to support students in Waukegan through afterschool and summer programming centered around academic achievement, social and emotional learning, and basketball.

The Academy program now represents our primary focus. It allows us to continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people as they develop the skills they need to succeed.

Our Beginning. A Bigger World Foundation was founded in 2012 to provide funding and support so that small groups of students can have unique experiences that connect to a topic they are passionate about. Matt and Megan Schrecengost were inspired by their love of travel and new experiences and realized that these powerful opportunities have the potential to change lives, especially for young people.

At the same time, Megan and Matt recognized that far too few young people had the opportunity to explore the world outside of the classroom. Together, they created ABW to do their small part to empower students, and the educators, who work with them every day to explore the world, broaden their horizons, and realize their dreams. ABW’s first Executive Director, Lisa Nigro, worked to establish partnerships with educators, youth mentors, and organizations that would help ABW further its impact.

In 2020 the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and students were no longer able to travel, but many faced new challenges with remote learning and lack of access to resources. In the fall of 2020, ABW worked with local Waukegan leaders to organize a site for remote learning for eight young men to come and be online each school day, receive extra support, and play basketball after school.

The Academy officially launched in June 2021, and today we have over 100 students enrolled in The Academy.