EVERYONE DESERVES A CHANCE TO SUCCEED...
our Programs
YouthBuild
YouthBuild is our core program that helps young people in Lake County, ages 16-24, get their lives back on track and become self-reliant. Most of the young people in this program have left high school without a diploma and are unemployed. We provide these youth with a pathway to continue their education receive construction training and to develop career and life skills.
Summer Program
Youth Conservation Corps’ Summer Program provides conservation work experience and environmental education to high school and college students interested in preserving Lake County’s wetlands, prairies and woodlands. This program is a public/private partnership between YCC and the Lake County Forest Preserve District.
HVaC/R Program
Seeing a need for extended training and advanced opportunities for a young people, YCC offers a HVAC/R program for men and women ages 17 to 24 who have completed our YouthBuild program or who already have a high school diploma. With this advanced training, our young people will earn higher wages in their careers and can continue accessing YCC’s support services as they grow professionally.
Get involved
Youth Conservation Corps welcomes volunteers, speakers, and partnerships with businesses and community groups. Find out about our upcoming events and volunteering opportunities. Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to stay up to date with YCC. Reach out to us to find out how you can get involved.
We're committed to
Trades & Vocational Training
Through our YouthBuild program, members gain hands-on construction experience and training. They work on real construction sites under the direct supervision and instruction of our experienced Construction Staff, earning industry recognized certifications. In addition to this, Youth Conservation Corps also offers a pathway to HVAC/R training and certification.
Education
Youth Conservation Corps offers GED, College, and Career preparation services . Each member has access to classroom and individualized learning opportunities. The cost of testing is 100% covered by YCC. Members receive stipend bonuses when they accomplish their educational goals.
Life Skills & Mentoring
Through resiliency classes and weekly meetings with our social worker, we develop our members to be responsible, emotionally mature, and professional - ensuring that they’re ready to enter the workforce successfully.
Job placement
It is our number one priority to make sure that all of our members are placed into a career, higher education, or internships as members exit our program. We have staff who are dedicated to making sure that each of our members is ready to work and possess the skills, work ethic, and attitude necessary for employment.
Community Service
Giving back to our communities Lake County is a large part of Youth Conservation Corps’ mission. As young people in our YouthBuild program earn the education, income and career skills they need to thrive, we re-invest in our neighborhoods through cleanup days and other volunteer opportunities.
Conservation & sustainability
Energy-efficiency and sustainability are important to us. Our young people receive training in environmentally-friendly construction projects and educational support. As we build homes through our YouthBuild program, our young people are trained energy-efficient building strategies and choices.
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