Community Involvement
Giving Back to
Starved Rock Country
At Carus, our dedication to the communities in which we operate goes far beyond industry boundaries. We actively participate in initiatives that resonate with our Core Elements of Community Outreach: Environment, Education, and Local Community Support. These elements steer our impactful outreach endeavors, shaping our commitment to making a difference.
Furthermore, Carus has established a Community Outreach Committee – a cross functional group of employees who focus on sponsorship, donation, and volunteer opportunities in the communities in which we operate. The group also seeks out opportunities to partner with local schools, non-profits, and other community organizations.
In addition, Carus sponsors one volunteer day per year for employees to serve the local community, and we have volunteers who participate in local school boards, volunteer firefighting teams, community foundation boards, other nonprofit boards, etc.
Our Core Elements of Community Outreach
By embracing our Core Elements of Community Outreach, Carus continues to foster a culture of meaningful engagement, positively impacting the areas where we live and work.
ENVIRONMENT
EDUCATION
LOCAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT
- Support of Local, Environmentally Focused Projects & Events
- Partnerships with Other Local Organizations on Environmental Initiatives
- Participation in Litter Removal/Cleanup in Local & State Parks
- Community Recycling & Waste Disposal Events
- Internship Opportunities
- Summer Science Camp for Kids
- Career Fairs & Exploration Events
- Chemistry Demonstrations
- STEM and Technical Career Scholarships
- Helping Address the Most Significant Local Needs, such as Mental Health and Substance Abuse & Addiction
- Supporting Local Causes
- Collaborating with Local Entities to Provide Resources and Support Where It’s Needed Most.
Join us as we strive to create sustainable change, promote learning, and address community needs together.
More About Our Community Involvement
Summer Science Camp
Our annual Summer Science Camp provides a week filled with educational, hands-on science experiments and programs free-of-charge to students entering 6th grade. Campers are introduced to principles of geology, biology, physics, chemistry, and astronomy. Guided by local teachers and former campers in a classroom setting, students engage in experiments that enhance their understanding of the world around them and encourage a life-long love of learning.
Career Exploration
Carus is proud to attend local career fairs at area schools and career centers, and we are also a co-sponsor of the Discover Manufacturing Career Expo, an event aimed at educating hundreds of high school students about career opportunities in manufacturing. We are avid supporters of the annual Career Conference hosted by the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois at the Museum of Science and Industry, which connects over 2,000 area middle school and high school students with Illinois-based chemistry companies.
Scientific Work Experience Program for Teachers (SWEPT)
Piloted as an externship in 1998 by Carus, the Scientific Work Experience Program provides teachers with workplace experience that connects curriculum and instruction to the “real world” of work. The SWEPT program furthers their professional development and supports a better understanding of career opportunities in the rapidly-changing fields of science, math, and technology.
Chemistry Demonstrations
In conjunction with the American Chemical Society’s National Chemistry Week, Carus employees present science demonstrations and experiments to thousands of junior high school students each year. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of chemists and engineers, and to show children how much fun education can be! As part of our commitment to Responsible Care®, Carus also aims to teach children about chemical safety, reminding them that chemicals can be found anywhere, and safety must always come first.
Foster Relationships with Local Schools
We partner with superintendents and leaders at elementary and high schools, community colleges, and area/regional universities. Carus partners with Illinois Valley Community College, LaSalle-Peru High School, Saint Bede Academy, and other local schools for STEM education and career development programs. We also proudly sponsor trivia night fundraising events for several local grade school and education initiatives, and we are avid supporters of the local chapter of Junior Achievement.
Holiday Initiatives
We support several holiday events in the communities we serve. Carus sponsors a light display in the City of LaSalle’s annual Celebration of Lights and our employees volunteer at the light display and at other local holiday events like the City of Peru Lighted Christmas Parade. The team in Belmont, NC participates in the Belmont Christmas Parade and they have a Carus Christmas tree Downtown Belmont. Each business location also takes on a special holiday project – sponsoring a local family in need, partnering with a nonprofit to donate food or gifts for the holiday season, etc.
Collections for Local Nonprofit Organizations
Carus sponsors employee and community collections to benefit local nonprofits. We host several collections throughout the year for non-perishable food and other essential items. In 2021, Carus hosted the area’s first Giving Fence to provide new and gently used winter clothing to those in need. In 2022, Carus started the “Pack the Schools” social media challenge, nominating other area businesses to donate supplies to local schools and teachers for the new school year.
Park Cleanup
Carus supplies products and services for municipal water treatment, wastewater, air purification, and soil remediation. We’re passionate about taking care of our planet, and we take that a step further by hosting several cleanup projects in local and state parks. Our employees volunteer a few hours of their time to pick up litter and debris to keep these spaces clean for the community to enjoy!
Internship Opportunities
It’s important for young people to explore career interests through applied learning opportunities, and Carus has a robust internship program with a new group of students each summer. Our interns are exposed to real world work experiences to help guide their career path. We welcome students from several fields of study including chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, environmental health & safety, as well as finance, IT, human resources, and more.
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Carus sponsors college tuition for our employees’ children and we hope this investment in their education gives local students a reason to return to our community after school. The Tuition Assistance Program was founded in 1987, and we have paid out over $5 Million in college tuition since the program was started. TAP recipients have gone on to serve in different leadership roles for the local community, including a school superintendent, police officer, healthcare professional, restaurant owner, and more.
Legislative Candidates & Industry Topics
Carus hosts town hall events for candidates running for political office, providing employees with the opportunity to connect directly with individuals hoping to represent them in local, state, and federal government. We also pride ourselves on keeping employees informed about the latest industry topics from organizations like the American Chemistry Council, Illinois Manufacturers Association, and the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois.
Community Advisory Panel (CAP)
Transparency with the local community is important, and Carus is committed to maintaining open communication with members of the community. Carus is a member of a Community Advisory Panel alongside other area chemical companies. The group shares EHSS data and performance data, as well as other non-confidential business information. The goal is to educate and inform local community leaders about how safely we operate, and the great things our products do for the world.
Scholarships for STEM & Technical Careers
As part of our continued support of educational initiatives in our community, we offer a pair of $4,000 scholarships for Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) students pursuing a future in STEM and technical careers. The “Carus LLC Future of STEM Scholarship” will benefit students in chemistry, engineering, environmental studies and industrial engineering technology, while the “Carus LLC Technical Career Advancement Scholarship” will aid students in industrial maintenance, manufacturing, technology and those planning to become electricians.