About Us

Alternatives is a comprehensive, multi-cultural youth development agency serving more than 3,000 young people and their families each year. Our programs include counseling, leadership development, substance abuse and violence prevention, and academic enrichment.

Our mission is to facilitate personal development, strengthen family relationships and enhance the community’s well being.
Alternatives’ programs and services use an asset-based model that focuses on enriching young people's lives by building upon individual strengths within the context of their family and community. We provide comprehensive, accessible and affordable programs that increase young people's opportunities to succeed and grow as individuals and community members.

From our Uptown Youth Center, Alternatives serves youth and families citywide, with a particular focus on Chicago's multi-ethnic northeast side. Our participants reflect the city's rich diversity: 40% Latino, 37% African American, 10% Caucasian, 8% Asian, 4% bi-racial/multi-ethnic and 1% Middle Eastern. Two-thirds live in low-income households; one-third live in single-parent homes.

Alternatives values the diversity of the communities we serve and so we partner with over 100 local organizations and schools. Our long-term strategy is to strengthen and expand these partnerships in order to remain responsive to the needs of our young people and their families.

Established in 1971 when the community identified substance abuse as a key issue affecting local teens, Alternatives is dedicated serving Chicago's at-risk youth and their families.