Mission and History

Alternatives, Inc. is a not-for-profit youth and family service agency established in 1971, serving Chicago's northeast communities of Uptown, Edgewater, Rogers Park, Lakeview, North Center, Lincoln Square and West Ridge. The agency's mission is to facilitate personal development, strengthen family relationships, and enhance the community's well being. The organization has grown from a small, single site offering substance abuse services to a multifaceted agency that employs 50 full-time staff, manages over 175 volunteers and serves over 3,000 youth and families annually.

Programs and Services

Alternatives services are offered at little or no charge, are available in Spanish, and are at 13 locations throughout the community. We collaborate with over 100 organizations including schools, hospitals, police stations, congregations, local businesses and other not-for-profits. Current programs and services support youth and families through the following strategies: Leadership Development, Academic Enrichment, Counseling, and Violence and Substance Abuse Prevention.

Alternatives' programs and services use an asset-based model that focuses on enriching a youth's life by building upon individual strengths within the context of the their family and community. We provide comprehensive, accessible and affordable programs that increase young peoples' opportunities to succeed and grow as individuals and community members

Alternatives' Programs

Career & Employment Services: Pre-employment training, technology workshops, career exploration services, and job placement assistance for youth ages 14-24. Individual and group services are provided onsite as well as in high schools.

Counseling Services: Therapy for youth ages 10-24 and their families. The program also offers 24-hour crisis response services for locked out and runaway youth. First-time offending youth who are diverted from juvenile court take part in six months of case management services.

Education & Prevention Programs: Quality academic enrichment programs for youth ages 7-12; classroom activities that tie school learning to careers and promote healthy alternatives to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; and collaborative projects.

Girl World: A continuum of gender specific and age appropriate programming for girls and young women ages 10-18. Youth participate in mentoring, grantmaking, non-traditional athletics, event planning, and community-based education activities during after school hours.

Regional Consortium Coordinator: Community catalyst of after-school programming for youth ages 6-18. Coordinates assessment, new programs, and referrals with youth service providers on Chicago's North side.

Restorative Justice: School-based, student driven mediation, peer jury, and conflict resolution services for youth ages 14-18. The program facilitates innovative community partnerships and conducts city-wide training for students, administrators and community-based organizations.