Access these resources with your WNPL library card!
Britannica Online: Young Adults – Explore articles, images and videos, and biographies.
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) – An online learning service that offers over 17,000 video tutorials in technology, business and creative skills.
Creativebug – Creativebug is an online learning platform completely dedicated to arts & crafts courses, taught by expert crafters. Access is available with a valid WNPL library card, and there are plenty of patterns, templates, and recipes available to download and keep.
Mango Languages – Learn a new language!
College Readiness
Thinking about life after high school? Find the right school, prepare for entrance exams and search for financial aid.
ACT/SAT Test Prep – Get a feel for the questions and experience exam-like conditions before taking the real test! Head here to see when upcoming test prep events are and how to register.
Gale Courses – Gale offers the courses SAT/ACT Test Prep 1 (reading, writing, English & science) & SAT/ACT Test Prep 2 (math). Each course is instructor-led and lasts 6 weeks–two lessons are made available each week.
Tutor.com – If you need help factoring a polynomial after school, you can connect to an algebra tutor. If you need help balancing a chemical equation, you can work with a chemistry tutor. This online service is available from 3:00-11:00pm daily; you never need an appointment.
At the library? Check out our college planning resources in the adult non-fiction and teen non-fiction sections.
College Planning
- The Princeton Review College Guide – Find the college that’s right for you!
- US News and World Report: Colleges – The U.S. News and World Report publishes a list of top ranking colleges of different types and in various areas of study.
- The College Board – The college board offers a number of resources for students planning for college, including a college search, financial and scholarship information, and test prep resources.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
- The Illinois Student Assistance Commission – the ISAC helps provide financial assistance to students in Illinois in order to pay for college.
- Federal Aid – FAFSA provides financial aid to many students to help pay for college.
- College Board Scholarship Search – Find scholarships, other financial aid and internships from more than 2,200 programs, totaling nearly $6 billion.
Teen Community Resources
| Type | Resource | Description | Address | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local | Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center | Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center seeks to provide quality, comprehensive, client centered services to survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Services are provided for free, in partnership with the survivor in the spirit of equality, free from judgment or oppression. ZCenter seeks to be an active presence in the community, to speak up in support of, and in partnership with, all survivors of sexual violence. | 4275 Old Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031 | (847) 244-1187 |
| Local | Youth and Family Counseling | Youth & Family Counseling is a nonprofit organization dedicated to filling an unmet need for affordable mental health services in the diverse Lake County Area | 5101 Washington Street, Suite 2-F Gurnee, IL 60031 | (847) 367-5991 |
| Local | Gurnee Teen Center | Provides support to local youth by providing them with a safe, supervised and social environment which promotes skills for a healthy lifestyle. The Teen Center has a "drop in" atmosphere that allows kids to attend when they want and freely choose their activities. | 17801 W. Washington St. Gurnee, IL 60031 | 847-244-1101 |
| Local | PADS of Lake County | PADs Lake County is a community-based organization that provides trauma-informed resources, and shelter to individuals and families experiencing housing crisis | Find Shelter 847-689-4357 After-hours Support 847-377-8088 Street Outreach 847-616-5557 Stay in Your Housing 847-689-4357 |
|
| Local | 211 - United Way of Lake County | 211 is the place with the answers you need to live well in Lake County, Illinois. 211 is Lake County’s free one-stop shop for help. 211 is always open, always confidential, and always free. Speak to a live person when you call in English or Spanish. The 211 team will also interpret to more than 150 other languages. | 330 S Greenleaf St, Gurnee, IL 60031 | 211 |
| Virtual/Hotlines | Josslyn Center Teen Board | The Junior Board is a leadership opportunity that allows high school students to understand more about teen mental health and be part of the mental health conversation for their peers. The Junior Board is for high school students grades 9-12 and meets on Sunday per month either in-person or on Zoom. | 415 Washington Street Waukegan, IL 60085 | 847-441-5600 |
| Virtual/Hotlines | Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center | Access information and connect with various health services that include preventative care, behavioral health, environmental health, maternal and child health services, healthy living programs, animal control, and more. | Office Menu: (847) 377-8000 | |
| National | ANAD - Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders | The association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders is for anyone struggling with anorexia, bulimia, or another type of eating disorder. | Office: (630) 577-1330 | |
| National | The Trevor Project | The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. Text, chat, or call anytime to reach a trained counselor | 866-488-7386 | |
| National | 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline | The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness. | 24-Hour Lifeline: (800) 273-8255 | |
| National | National Runaway Safeline | Serves as the national communication system for runaway and homeless youth | 24-Hour Support Line: (800) 786-2929 |