HR0369 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0369 LRB098 12039 GRL 45994 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the staff, board of directors, and volunteers of Links North Shore Youth Health Service on the occasion of the organization's 40th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, In the wake of the cultural changes of the late 1960s, local social service agencies were seeing more teens dealing with issues related to sexuality, and there were few resources available; responding to these emerging community needs, a group of community leaders including clergy, physicians, and local professionals decided to act; and

WHEREAS, Links - North Shore Youth Health Service opened its doors on May 7, 1973 as a reproductive health care clinic in the basement of Northfield's Josselyn Center; it moved into its current space in Northfield in 1986; and

WHEREAS, While Links was initially offered to young women in high school, it has expanded over the years; in 1997, a separate clinic for young men was opened, which provides testing and treatment for the most common sexually transmitted infections; Links now provides services for teens and young adults up to age 25; between 500 and 600 clients a year go to Links for services ranging from reproductive health care to counseling; and

WHEREAS, Links' Community Education program began in 1974 with "Links on Wheels", a program where trained volunteers gave educational presentations about birth control and "venereal disease" to young people through schools and community groups; today, the Community Education Program offers 15 different programs to grades 5-12, covering responsible decision-making, healthy relationships, stress management, and practical issues such as the prevention of substance abuse, acquaintance rape, sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancy; and

WHEREAS, The Pride Youth Program, which provides support and education for teens who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT), was founded in 1993 after a local high school student pointed out that there were no community services available to address the needs of this population; the Pride Youth Program now reaches over 200 LGBT youth a year, with weekly meetings in Northfield, Palatine, Evanston, and Gurnee; and

WHEREAS, From its tenuous beginnings, Links has transformed into a highly regarded community resource, where its 3 programs serve nearly 12,000 teens and young adults each year; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the staff, board of directors, and volunteers of Links on the occasion of the organization's 40th anniversary and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Links as a symbol of our esteem and respect.