Youth & Family Counseling

05/01/2026

💚It's Mental Health Awareness Month!💚 A huge shout out to the LHS Psychology Club, Senior Wellness Board, Art Club, DECA, Knitty Kitties and ECOS Club for creating Operation Be The Change - a student-led set of events and activities designed, organized and facilitated by students to support the mission and work of Youth & Family Counseling! It has been incredible - and inspiring! to see all of the enthusiasm, creativity, teamwork, leadership and hard work that the students have put into each of the tasks involved in putting together, promoting and executing their plans. Please consider joining us at LHS 🧡🖤this Sunday, May 3rd at 10am for LHS's 3rd annual Walk for Mental Health! 💚 To register or make a donation: https://secure.qgiv.com/.../event/walkformentalhealth/
Thank you!❣️

04/29/2026

🇺🇸 Did you know that one out of three school-age military children show signs of high anxiety, worrying, and crying more frequently than their peers?

In honor of Military Child Month, Kids Rank presented a special workshop to YFC staff on the unique and often invisible challenges military children face—from extended separations from their parents to frequent moves and adjusting to new communities. It was a valuable experience for our team.

We're grateful for organizations like Kids Rank that are dedicated to raising awareness and opening doors for children in military families. And if you're part of a military family looking for support, we want you to know that YFC is here for you. We are a great fit for military family members and we proudly accept Tricare.

You can learn more about how to support military children here: https://www.kidsrank.org/

04/27/2026

🎉 Exciting news for our community! The Village of Gurnee just approved $248,207 in Gurnee Cares Grants to support 10 local nonprofits—and we're proud to be among them!

These funds are directed toward food security, housing stability, mental health services, and youth mentoring for Gurnee residents and students.

Thank you to the Village of Gurnee for investing in the people and programs that make this community stronger.

At the Village Board meeting last night, the Village of Gurnee approved $248,207 in Gurnee Cares Grants to support 10 local non-profit organizations dedicated to enhancing community resources and aid.

The 2026 grant recipients include the Mothers Trust Foundation, Prairie State Legal Services, Warren Township High School Blue Devils' Pantry, A Safe Place, Erie Family Health Centers, Keeping Families Covered, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, CYN Counseling Center, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services, and Youth & Family Counseling.

These funds are directed toward critical priority areas such as food security, housing stability, mental health services, and youth mentoring to ensure essential support for Gurnee residents and students.

04/21/2026

YFC is proud to be among 13 Chicago-area organizations sharing $312,500 in grants from this incredible foundation. Since its founding in 2023, Meg's Legacy of Hope has awarded more than $700,000 to nonprofits on the front lines of youth mental health and su***de prevention. That is an extraordinary legacy of love and action.

This funding will support YFC’s work to expand youth access to mental healthcare because no young person should go without the support they need.

Thank you to Larry and Mary Jo Butz and the entire Meg's Legacy of Hope team for your tireless commitment to our region's young people. We are honored to carry this mission forward in Lake County.

🔗 Learn more about Meg's Legacy of Hope: megslegacyofhope.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thirteen Chicago-Area Nonprofits Get a Lifeline Thanks to $312,500 in Mental Health Grants from Megan Butz Legacy of Hope Suburban foundation surpasses $700,000 in total grants since 2023 founding Lake Zurich, Ill., April 20, 2026 — From school hallways in Chicago to counseli...

04/20/2026

Anxiety doesn't always look like panic. Sometimes it looks like being the most reliable person in the room and running on empty because of it.

A client came to us overwhelmed, overextended, and convinced that saying no would cost her the relationships she cared about most. The exhaustion was real. So was the belief driving it: that her value depended on never letting anyone down.

This is some of the most common work we do at YFC—helping people untangle the thoughts that keep them stuck, and build something more sustainable in their place.

Using CBT, her therapist helped her examine those beliefs honestly, practice setting limits without guilt, and treat self-care as a tool rather than a luxury. Progress wasn't dramatic. (It rarely is!) But over time, she noticed she was less reactive, more grounded, and—for the first time in a long time—actually present in her own life.

She described it as finally feeling like she had permission to take up space.

That's what good therapy makes possible. And if any of this sounds familiar, we're here:
https://counselingforall.org/request-appointment/

04/18/2026

Introducing LCCF’s Nonprofit E-news: Receive sector updates, local resources and events for Lake County organizations.

LCCF remains committed to helping local organizations stay informed and prepared amid a rapidly evolving policy landscape. We actively track key developments and share timely updates from national, state and local organizations with policy expertise that may impact the nonprofit sector.

Check out our most recent e-news edition: https://mailchi.mp/lakecountycf/lccf_eblast_2026_resources

Subscribe to our newsletter and be sure to check the ‘Nonprofit E-news’ box to receive these directly from your inbox: https://lakecountycf.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0e5a79b0071ad34c20224d6ed&id=590d69267f

04/17/2026

We 👀 YFC's Director of Community Engagement, Karin Peterson, LCSW sharing information about our Explorers Program!

More than 30 nonprofits, park districts, and organizations offering resources showed up to invest in Lake County teens—connecting them with career training, volunteer opportunities, and wellness resources for mind and body. What an incredible community effort!

04/16/2026

04/13/2026

The way we talk to our kids becomes the voice inside their heads.

These three simple tips can make a big difference in your child's emotional development and in the day-to-day moments that feel really hard.

Need more support for your child or yourself? Reach out to YFC: https://counselingforall.org/request-appointment/

04/08/2026

Join us for a night of music and fun! 🎶 Warren Township Youth & Family Services and Warren Township Teen Center are hosting a FREE kids concert featuring Istvan and His Imaginary Band on April 24th from 6:00pm to 7:30pm at the Warren Township Center.
This special event celebrates Child Abuse Prevention Month—bringing families together for a positive and uplifting evening. 💙 Kids can come dressed as their favorite superhero, make their own mask, get a cool tattoo, and snap a fun photo at our photo op! 🦸‍♂️📸
Registration is required and space is limited. Scan the QR code or click the link in the comments!