prideLEAD

prideLEAD is an academic year program that meets twice a month on Sunday afternoons. LGBTQ+ high school youth from across the northern suburbs design and work together on projects that benefit the broader LGBTQ+ community. We are currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year!

We are currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year! Click here to apply.

Now recruiting rising 9th – 12th grade LGBTQ+ youth who are:

Youth are also invited to apply for Action Camp, our five-day sleepaway leadership camp for rising 8th-12th graders!

Get Started

Get the support you and your family need.
Contact us to learn about our services and programs.

Meet our Therapists

Abbey Casagrande, MSW, LCSW

Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Abigail Backer, MSW, LCSW

Bilingual Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Abraham Garcia, MA

Bilingual Staff Therapist (he, him)

Clinical Team

Alaa Bouabdallaoui, MSW, LCSW

Bilingual Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Alison Frye, MA, LCPC

Director of Programming (she, her)

Clinical Team

Alyssa Noonan, MA, LCPC, NCC

Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Andy Soglin, BA

Pride Facilitator (they, them)

Clinical Team

Becky Pollock, MA, LCPC

Program Coordinator (she, her)

Clinical Team

Brenna Weidman, MA, LCPC

Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Bridgette Taylor, MSW, LCSW

Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Elizabeth Nicholson, MSW, LCSW, CDS, Infant Mental Health Cert.

Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Estefania (Stefany) Nilsen, MA, LCPC

Bilingual Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Jenifer Brickman, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Director (she, her)

Clinical Team, Executive Team

Jess Levine, MSW, LCSW

Bilingual Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Jess Salgado (Wenk), MSW, LCSW

Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Kait Berger, MA, LCPC, RPT

Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Lizzy Appleby, MSW, LCSW

Pride/Share Director (she, her)

Clinical Team

McKenna Grieve, M.Ed.

Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Megan Shipp, LAT

ATC Program Coordinator (she, her)

Clinical Team

Mia Mullenix, MSW

Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Nelida Bahena Figueroa, MSW

Bilingual Clinical Intake Coordinator (she, her)

Clinical Team

Sarah Moskowitz-Gordon, MSW, LCSW

Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Stela Kukoc, MA

Staff Therapist (she, her)

Clinical Team

Zoa Glab, LSW, MSW, MA

Pride Coordinator (they, them)

Clinical Team

Take a Look Inside!

How We’re Doing

“Julia had gone from black-and-white to technicolor.”

Parent of Pride Participant

“You created a space where all of us felt seen and comfortable, that’s something that a lot of us will remember. Thank you!”

Group Participant

“She turned a difficult family situation into a fun, weekly routine.”

Parent of a Client

“YS has played an instrumental role in aiding my family”

Parent of Client

“Youth Services has given our happy-go-lucky Avery back.”

Parent of Client