Changing the Trajectory of Children's Mental Health
Across Youth Services programming, youth are developing the emotional and social skills that help them thrive – both today and throughout their lives. Through counseling, mentoring, and youth development programs, young people gain confidence, develop meaningful connections, and learn healthy ways to manage their emotions.
These outcomes are what prevention looks like in action. When children build these skills early, they are better equipped to succeed in school, build healthy relationships with family and peers, and move forward with resilience.
Early Prevention Matters
- Reaching children early, before challenges become crises
- Supporting parents and caregivers—not just the child
- Providing care in familiar places like schools and community settings
- Staying consistent as children grow and their needs change
What Makes the Biggest Difference?
- Reaching children early, before challenges become crises
- Supporting parents and caregivers—not just the child
- Providing care in familiar places like schools and community settings
- Staying consistent as children grow and their needs change
This is how Youth Services shows up
- This reflects how Youth Services works in our community, in ways that set us apart.
- We reach children early through after-school and academic support programs that build emotional regulation, coping skills, and healthy relationships.
- We support families directly through programs like Caring Connections, strengthening the parent–child relationship and creating space for connection and growth.
- We partner with local schools to provide on-site counseling, group support, and crisis response—ensuring concerns are identified early and support is accessible when it’s needed most.
- Through a flexible care model, including insurance, private pay, and sliding-scale options, we ensure families never have to choose between mental health support and financial stability.
- Last year alone, Youth Services invested $475,000 in mental health scholarships, supporting 365 children and generating an estimated $11.4 million in long-term impact.
Martin's Story
The team recognized quickly that Martin struggled socially, and that isolation was impacting his mental health. After dinner and his homework were done, Martin and a Youth Services therapist decided to walk through the building to get away from the noise and activity of the gym. When Martin found the Lego room, his face lit up with excitement.
“Can I?” he asked.
“Of course!” the therapist replied, helping him take out a box of building blocks and figurines.
That first night, Martin built for only 10 minutes before it was time to go home, but the next week when he came to the building, he headed straight to the therapist and asked, “can we go downstairs?” He ate his dinner with speedy intention, completed his school tasks, and was ready with record speed to head to the basement. Once downstairs, he shared with the therapist that he loved building things as he assembled a tower and grabbed a dragon figurine that swirled around it. Alone with his thoughts, his imagination soared higher than the dragon and for the first time in months, a smile spread over his face. Martin shared that he didn’t have blocks at home – a one-bedroom apartment he shares with his 3 siblings and parents.
As Study Buddies concluded and Martin packed his bag to catch the bus home, he said to his counselor, “I wish I never had to leave here” with joy and calm in his voice. His YS therapist replied with care, “we’re so glad you’re here too.”
Martin’s story is just one example of how early support can change a child’s trajectory. When children receive the right support at the right time, the impact extends far beyond one moment—strengthening families, schools, and entire communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Youth Services do? What services do you provide?
Youth Services provides individual and group therapy, youth development programs, crisis intervention, and academic support. Youth Services does not provide testing or medication.
What type of therapy does Youth Services offer?
Youth Services provides individual and group counseling to children and youth who are struggling with depression and anxiety, grief and loss, divorce and familial distress, school-related stressors, and other mental health concerns. Our therapists use a variety of modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), play therapy, and client-centered approaches. The agency does not provide occupational, physical therapy, or speech therapy.
Where do Youth Services' clients come from?
Youth Services does not have any geographical boundaries. Most of the agency’s clients come from across Chicago’s northern suburbs.
What ages does Youth Services serve?
The agency sees clients across their development. Most of the clients are elementary, middle, and high school students. We also offer parent-child group support for young children under five.
What does it cost to get support at Youth Services?
Youth Services has multiple payment options to remain accessible to everyone who needs services. Agency clinicians accept insurance, clients may choose to pay privately, and we have the most generous sliding scale in the area to allow every child access to services, in addition to a long list of free programming. The agency’s promise to the community is that we never turn anyone away based on ability to pay.
How do I get started with services for my child?
If you are interested in joining any of Youth Services’ groups or starting individual services, contact the agency to speak with our intake coordinator.