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Community Corner

Links Celebrates 40 Years of Service

Things were changing on the North Shore – and across the country – in 1972.  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.  Local referral hotlines received almost 300 calls in six months from young people looking for help and information about sexuality issues, and the nearest clinics were 20-30 minutes away by car and had a 6-8 week waiting period.

Responding to these emerging community needs, a group of community leaders including clergy, physicians, and local professionals decided to act.  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.

David Littman, MD of Glencoe was the lead physician when Links first opened. At the end of 1974, the Board determined that a more formal position was needed, and Martin Kass, MD of Highland Park was named the first Medical Director in February of 1975. In 1995, Dr. Kass retired and Loren Hutter, MD of Wilmette was appointed to the position, which he still holds today.

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While the Clinic was initially offered to young women in high school, it has expanded over the years. Links opened a separate clinic for young men in 1997, providing testing and treatment for the most common sexually transmitted infections. Reflecting continuing economic challenges and an increasing number of young people without health insurance, Links now serves teens and young adults up to age 25 — between 500 and 600 clients a year.

Links' Community Education program began in 1974 with "Links on Wheels," a program in which trained volunteers gave educational presentations about birth control and "venereal disease" to young people through schools and community groups. Today, our 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.

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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. Staff and volunteers provide ongoing support and education regarding topics such as the coming out process, dealing with discrimination, building healthy relationships, and the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

The early years of Links were marked by controversy, with opponents claiming that Links encouraged promiscuity and supporters citing young people's need for and legal right to confidential reproductive health care.  From this tenuous beginning, the organization has transformed into a highly regarded community resource, where its three programs serve nearly 12,000 teens and young adults each year, combined.

Links plans to celebrate its 40-year milestone throughout the year, including its annual benefit event set for June 15 at noon at the Woman’s Club of Wilmette. More information and tickets are available at www.linksyouth.org.

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