Welcome to Links!
Links is a private, not-for-profit organization that has provided confidential adolescent health services and education to the community since 1973. Links professional staff and volunteers provide programs and services to young women and men in the community. We provide three main programs: Clinic and Counseling, Community Education and the Pride Youth Program.
Clinic and Counseling program provides confidential, non-judgmental, affordable medical care and support for teens and young adults with an emphasis on prevention. Our list of services offered in clinic are gynecological exams(including a pap test), contraceptive counseling, emergency contraception (morning after pill), pregnancy testing, counseling and referrals, sexually transmitted infections screening, diagnosis and treatment, rapid HIV testing, and counseling geared to promote healthy decision-making. Every client visit includes educational counseling to enhance their ability to make sound decisions. A professional counselor is always available during female clinic hours.
Community Education is dedicated to educating young people and parents about adolescent emotional and physical developmental issues in order to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Links offers a variety of interactive, educational presentations at the request of schools, parents and community groups. Links maintains that healthy decisions are made through proper education, access to accurate information and the freedom to question and receive honest answers.
Pride Youth Program provides opportunities for self-understanding, personal growth, and community engagement to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning teens ages 13-18. The Pride Youth Program operates two youth centers, in Northfield and Palatine. Staffed by a director and trained adult volunteers, these centers have become safe communities with teens directly engaged in decision-making. The focus is on empowering participants to understand their roles as active and responsible members of their communities. Healthy choices and prevention education are stressed.
