INSPIRING HOPE

Fred Williams knows first-hand that life can throw you curve balls.

“I was raised right,” says Williams, the Member Services Manager at the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) of Lake County, a position he’s held for the last 16 years. “I grew up in a middle-class family, but I got mixed up in substance abuse. I did things I shouldn’t have. I missed a lot of opportunities because of some bad choices. I know what it’s like to feel lost and hopeless. At YCC, I’ve been given a chance to work with youth and teach life skills. I don’t believe you can teach what you don’t know. When you teach from the heart, you can reach the heart.”

The YCC of Lake County, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, offers a six- to nine-month program to help young people, ages 16 to 24 become more self-reliant. Most of the young people in this program have left high school without a diploma and are unemployed. YCC provides a pathway to continue their education and to learn construction or IT skills. Additionally, each member (the youth are referred to as “members” instead of “students”) receives career counseling and life skills that are necessary for them to accomplish their goals.

“On our talented team, I’m in charge of our member services and connect our kids to the resources they need,” says Williams, who is affectionately known as “Mr. Fred.” He works side by side with Executive Director Jennifer Yonan and Program Director Karen Rios. “We’re an outstanding program with a very good success rate. But as good as we might be, we can’t lead the horse to the water and make them drink. Our members have to want this. They have to do the work. There has to be trust and there has to be accountability.”

Most members find their way to YCC through their high school guidance counselors or social workers. If a young person wants to participate in YCC’s programming, they must apply, be interviewed by the YCC staff, and attend an orientation week to assess his or her desire to be there—Williams calls this the “mental toughness” week.

“During that week, the young people can see if it’s a good fit for them, and we see if they’re a good fit for us,” Williams says. “I always tell the kids that I’m old school. I have to know that they are serious about being here and doing the work. Their greatness is already inside of them. YCC is here to help bring it out. They have to walk in their purpose. They are here to do something great and make a difference. They have to believe in themselves the same way that we do. These kids are resilient and have restored my faith in the future of our country.”

Williams was recently recognized by the American Red Cross as a 2024 Local Hero for his work with YCC. In addition to his role at YCC, he’s a pastor at a nearby church, husband, father to three boys, and an Air Force veteran.

“I was so humbled to be honored with this award,” he says. “Like many of the other winners, I don’t consider myself a hero. I see myself as a farmer. I plant seeds and hope they take root.”

The YCC has an ever-evolving space in Waukegan that houses their classrooms, hands-on construction lab and workshop (where they learn about electrical wiring, plumbing, drywall, power tools, etc.) office spaces, lunchroom, and anything a member might need in order to be a success in their program. A new addition includes a community garden comprised of 23 raised garden beds that frame the exterior of the building. The lunchroom is often filled with produce from their harvest.

The YCC is a nonprofit 501(c)3 that is largely subsidized by the U.S. Department of Labor. It also relies on the generosity of donors and strategic partnerships to fund their programming and initiatives.

“We don’t take it lightly that we get to share our story with your readers,” Williams says of the Forest & Bluff audience. “The most important thing people can do for us is donate. We believe YCC is one of the best kept secrets in Lake County.”

To learn more about YCC, its work in Lake County, and how you might support it, visit youthconservationcorps.org.