Boys & Girls Club of Lake County has a rich history of providing essential services to young people in the Waukegan area. In 1993, Ed and Kitty Shumaker founded the Lake Shore Youth Center (LSYC) on Belvidere Avenue in Waukegan, which served 150 youth in its first year. As the youth center grew, the Shumakers recognized the need to offer more comprehensive programming, leading them to join Boys & Girls Club of America in 2000. This partnership provided the organization with access to nationally recognized and evidence-based programs and activities to better serve Lake County's youth.

By 2003, the LSYC was serving over 2200 youth across three school-based sites and a stand-alone location in a restored factory building. The Club eventually relocated to the former Lake County YMCA building off of Sheridan Road in Waukegan, which became the flagship Genesee Site that remains in use today. In 2010, a house across from the Genesee Site was acquired and transformed into a dedicated Teen Center, catering to youth ages 13 to 18. In 2022, this location was converted into the current Administrative Office in anticipation of expanding Teen services further.

Over the past 23 years, Boys & Girls Club of Lake County has positively impacted the lives of over 11,000 young people and their families in Lake County. Currently, the organization has eight Club locations throughout Waukegan and North Chicago, serving an average of over 250 youth daily. With a commitment to providing comprehensive, evidence-based programs and activities, Boys & Girls Club of Lake County is a vital resource for the community, offering a safe and nurturing environment where young people can thrive.