The Pride Youth Program is a part of Links - North Shore Youth Health Service. Links is a private, non-profit organization that has provided confidential adolescent health services and education related to sexuality since 1973. Links' mission is to empower young people to take responsibility for their health, well-being and sexuality.

The Pride Youth Program was established in 1993 to provide direct services to sexual minority youth of the north and northwest suburbs and to educate the larger communities about issues related to sexual minority youth. Two Youth Centers are operated for sexual minority youth ages 13-18. At the centers teens can make connections with others like them and participate in activities designed to increase effective decision-making skills, hone good judgment, and increase self-esteem.

Educational outreach is an integral part of our program. The Pride Youth Program offers community education, consultation, and professional training. In all of our programming, we create a supportive, non-judgmental environment that facilitates self-exploration at a pace that is determined by the participants themselves. This is true for not only the teens that attend our Youth Centers but also the individual adults and community organizations who request assistance as they struggle to understand their feelings, organize their thoughts, and adjust their perspectives to include the lesbian, bisexual, transgender and gay adolescents they work with regularly.

The Pride Youth Program is staffed by one full-time director and a team of incredibly dedicated volunteers. The director has worked with sexual minority youth since 1995 in the Chicagoland area. The role of the director is to provide vision and long-term direction for the Pride Youth Program, in addition to managing the day-to-day tasks that ensure the smooth operation of all programming.

Volunteer staff are carefully selected in a three stage process. Volunteer applications are reviewed and references checked in stage one. Those advancing to stage two are interviewed in person by the program director. Stage three requires the successful completion of training.

You can make a difference in the lives of sexual minority youth.

The easiest way is to pull out your check book and write a check to the Pride Youth Program of Links. Address the envelope to the same name and mail to 1779 Maple in Northfield, IL 60093. Links is a non-profit organization so your donation is tax deductible.  Offering a Youth Center for one evening costs about $200 (approx. $5 per youth). We operate them approximately 100 evenings per year. This doesn't include operating costs for the outreach we provide to your communities. Send a donation today and know that you have helped empower sexual minority youth to develop healthy, positive identities.

If you have more time than money, volunteering may be the niche for you. We accept volunteer applications at any time during the year. Volunteer interviews are scheduled with the director. Volunteer training occurs once a year. If you would like to submit an application you may fill it out and send it in. If you would prefer to have one mailed to you, call 847.441.6191 and leave your name and mailing address. An application packet will be mailed to you within a couple of days.

If neither of these options works for you, then write a letter to your community newspaper about the struggles of sexual minority youth and how Pride Youth is helping. Talk to your friends and neighbors about the needs of young lesbians, bisexuals, transgender folks, and young gay men. Stay educated on the current issues and be ready to educate others. Anything you can do to alleviate the burdens of sexual minority youth is well worth the effort.