Finishing high school can feel out of reach when you also need to earn money, care for family, or figure out a career. At YouthBuild Lake County in North Chicago, you can work toward an accredited high school diploma while getting paid throughout a free, nine-month program. You also get hands-on career exploration and people to help you work through the barriers along the way.

Can I earn a diploma and get paid at YBLC?

Yes. The YouthBuild Program serves Lake County, Illinois residents ages 16–24. Participants are paid throughout programming, and the program itself is free. Your time includes education, career preparation, hands-on learning, and community service.

That combination matters if you have been weighing school against the need to bring in income. Before you commit, ask our team about the current schedule, how participant pay works, and what attendance involves. You should be able to understand how programming will fit into your life.

A high school diploma, not a GED

YBLC supports participants in earning an accredited high school diploma through Penn Foster. This is a high school diploma pathway, not a GED preparation program. Our education team helps you work through coursework and build an individualized plan around your goals.

Penn Foster’s coursework is online, but YBLC’s program includes classroom and hands-on learning. Think of it as a supported local program, rather than an online course you are left to navigate alone. Ask staff to review your previous school experience and explain the next steps for your situation.

A diploma can widen your choices. In the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2025 national data, high school graduates had median weekly earnings of $966, compared with $770 for people without a diploma. These figures describe full-time wage and salary workers age 25 and older, not starting salaries for YBLC graduates. The 2025 estimates use 11 months of data, excluding October. Your own path will also depend on your interests, experience, and opportunities.

What else will I learn?

You do not need to arrive with your whole career planned. YBLC helps you explore construction and HVAC, healthcare, transportation, information technology, and automotive pathways. Industry-recognized credentials, employer connections, and work experiences help turn an interest into a more informed next step.

You will also practice the parts of a job search that can be hard to learn on your own: writing a resume, answering interview questions, and talking with employers. Community service and leadership opportunities give you more ways to build confidence and contribute to Lake County.

In the 2026 Annual Report, YBLC reported serving 69 YouthBuild participants; 88% earned their high school diploma, and 100% earned an industry-recognized credential. These are results for that reporting year.

What if transportation or childcare is the obstacle?

Those are real concerns, and they belong in the conversation from the beginning. YBLC helps participants connect with transportation support, childcare assistance, food and housing resources, counseling, and other services. Staff can also help with practical money skills, including budgeting and opening a bank account.

Tell the team what is making it difficult to return to school. A useful first conversation might start with, “I want to finish my diploma, but I need help getting there,” or, “I need to know how this works while I’m parenting.” You do not have to solve every barrier before asking about the program.

E’Dayjia’s experience shows why that support matters. As described in the 2026 Annual Report, she gained experience through a three-week work experience and received a donated bicycle when transportation became a challenge. After earning her diploma, she was hired as an ABA Specialist with Action Behavior Centers. Read E’Dayjia’s story to see how education, career preparation, and practical help came together.

Questions to ask before you apply

Can I enroll if I already have a diploma?

Yes. Having a high school diploma does not rule you out of the YouthBuild Program. If you meet the age and residency requirements, talk with the team about your training and career goals.

What if I am over 24 or want a trades-focused path?

YBLC also offers Pre-Apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship for Illinois residents age 18 and older with a diploma or GED. Pre-Apprenticeship runs for 10 weeks; Registered Apprenticeship provides 18 months of paid on-the-job training in facility maintenance and repair. Compare all three programs.

How do I find out when I can start?

Use the application page or contact YBLC for current cohort availability. Ask about the schedule, enrollment steps, documents you may need, and how pay and support work. Staff can help you identify the right starting point.

Take one step toward finishing school

You do not need a perfect resume or a finished career plan to start the conversation. If you are a Lake County resident ages 16–24 looking for a paid high school diploma program, YBLC can help you understand your options.

Have questions first? Contact our team or call 847-473-3483.

Program and project information checked November 11, 2026. Sources include YBLC’s current program pages and 2026 Annual Report; external data are linked where cited.