Alternatives
@alternativesinc.bsky.social
Chicago-based nonprofit | Restorative Justice programs | Behavioral Health Services | Trauma-informed Training
Inspiring young people to build a just future through practices that heal individuals, restore communities, and transform systems.
Inspiring young people to build a just future through practices that heal individuals, restore communities, and transform systems.
We’re back! 🍹✨
What is a community of care, and how do we build one? In 2026, Cocktails and Complicity returns with powerful conversations centered on the systems and structures that help youth and families truly thrive.
📅 February 5
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM
What is a community of care, and how do we build one? In 2026, Cocktails and Complicity returns with powerful conversations centered on the systems and structures that help youth and families truly thrive.
📅 February 5
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM
January 13, 2026 at 3:46 PM
We’re back! 🍹✨
What is a community of care, and how do we build one? In 2026, Cocktails and Complicity returns with powerful conversations centered on the systems and structures that help youth and families truly thrive.
📅 February 5
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM
What is a community of care, and how do we build one? In 2026, Cocktails and Complicity returns with powerful conversations centered on the systems and structures that help youth and families truly thrive.
📅 February 5
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM
Alternatives’ Trauma Informed Capacity Building equips educators and youth-serving adults with the skills to identify trauma early and respond with healing-centered practices.
January 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Alternatives’ Trauma Informed Capacity Building equips educators and youth-serving adults with the skills to identify trauma early and respond with healing-centered practices.
Alternatives' Restorative Justice Coaches lead monthly workshops, helping educators recover from burnout and connect with a community of RJ practitioners across Chicago.
Learn more about our work: alternativesyouth.org/restorative-justice
Learn more about our work: alternativesyouth.org/restorative-justice
December 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Alternatives' Restorative Justice Coaches lead monthly workshops, helping educators recover from burnout and connect with a community of RJ practitioners across Chicago.
Learn more about our work: alternativesyouth.org/restorative-justice
Learn more about our work: alternativesyouth.org/restorative-justice
Since 1971, Alternatives has supported young people. Last year:
✨ 74 schools enhanced community
✨ 452 youth received therapy—96% improved
✨ 976 youth built leadership
Funding cuts threaten access for 200 youth. We need your support!
💛 Donate: alternativesyouth.org/donate
✨ 74 schools enhanced community
✨ 452 youth received therapy—96% improved
✨ 976 youth built leadership
Funding cuts threaten access for 200 youth. We need your support!
💛 Donate: alternativesyouth.org/donate
December 30, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Since 1971, Alternatives has supported young people. Last year:
✨ 74 schools enhanced community
✨ 452 youth received therapy—96% improved
✨ 976 youth built leadership
Funding cuts threaten access for 200 youth. We need your support!
💛 Donate: alternativesyouth.org/donate
✨ 74 schools enhanced community
✨ 452 youth received therapy—96% improved
✨ 976 youth built leadership
Funding cuts threaten access for 200 youth. We need your support!
💛 Donate: alternativesyouth.org/donate
The Just Us program creates space for middle-school youth to build community, explore social justice, learn history, and support each other through real challenges.
It’s youth-led, community-centered, and rooted in restorative justice.
Learn more here:
👉 alternativesyouth.org/restorative-justice
It’s youth-led, community-centered, and rooted in restorative justice.
Learn more here:
👉 alternativesyouth.org/restorative-justice
December 19, 2025 at 5:56 PM
The Just Us program creates space for middle-school youth to build community, explore social justice, learn history, and support each other through real challenges.
It’s youth-led, community-centered, and rooted in restorative justice.
Learn more here:
👉 alternativesyouth.org/restorative-justice
It’s youth-led, community-centered, and rooted in restorative justice.
Learn more here:
👉 alternativesyouth.org/restorative-justice
Happy Thanksgiving from Alternatives Youth!
We’re thankful for our team, our supporters, and the youth who make this work meaningful.
#Thanksgiving #Gratitude #AlternativesYouth
We’re thankful for our team, our supporters, and the youth who make this work meaningful.
#Thanksgiving #Gratitude #AlternativesYouth
November 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Happy Thanksgiving from Alternatives Youth!
We’re thankful for our team, our supporters, and the youth who make this work meaningful.
#Thanksgiving #Gratitude #AlternativesYouth
We’re thankful for our team, our supporters, and the youth who make this work meaningful.
#Thanksgiving #Gratitude #AlternativesYouth
Youth mental health matters 💙🌱.
Alternatives offers no-cost individual and group counseling for Chicago youth ages 10–24 in schools and community settings. Licensed clinicians. Strength-based care. Real support.
Intake form: hipaa.jotform.com/221925004903...
#YouthHealth #Chicago #MentalWellness
Alternatives offers no-cost individual and group counseling for Chicago youth ages 10–24 in schools and community settings. Licensed clinicians. Strength-based care. Real support.
Intake form: hipaa.jotform.com/221925004903...
#YouthHealth #Chicago #MentalWellness
Alternatives Community Referral Form
Please click the link to complete this form.
hipaa.jotform.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Youth mental health matters 💙🌱.
Alternatives offers no-cost individual and group counseling for Chicago youth ages 10–24 in schools and community settings. Licensed clinicians. Strength-based care. Real support.
Intake form: hipaa.jotform.com/221925004903...
#YouthHealth #Chicago #MentalWellness
Alternatives offers no-cost individual and group counseling for Chicago youth ages 10–24 in schools and community settings. Licensed clinicians. Strength-based care. Real support.
Intake form: hipaa.jotform.com/221925004903...
#YouthHealth #Chicago #MentalWellness
After careful consideration, we've made the decision to postpone the 2026 launch of the Emerging Leaders Fellowship. Given the current climate and the continuous crises in our communities, we are putting all our efforts into services and support for young people in Chicago.
November 2, 2025 at 8:51 PM
After careful consideration, we've made the decision to postpone the 2026 launch of the Emerging Leaders Fellowship. Given the current climate and the continuous crises in our communities, we are putting all our efforts into services and support for young people in Chicago.
Applications for the 2026 Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF) are OPEN! Gain real-world tools in finance, HR, fundraising, and program development through an anti-racist lens.
📅 Info Sessions:
- October 15, 4–5 PM
- October 23, 10–11 AM
Deadline: Oct 29. Apply now: alternativesyouth.org/fellowship/
📅 Info Sessions:
- October 15, 4–5 PM
- October 23, 10–11 AM
Deadline: Oct 29. Apply now: alternativesyouth.org/fellowship/
October 8, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Applications for the 2026 Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF) are OPEN! Gain real-world tools in finance, HR, fundraising, and program development through an anti-racist lens.
📅 Info Sessions:
- October 15, 4–5 PM
- October 23, 10–11 AM
Deadline: Oct 29. Apply now: alternativesyouth.org/fellowship/
📅 Info Sessions:
- October 15, 4–5 PM
- October 23, 10–11 AM
Deadline: Oct 29. Apply now: alternativesyouth.org/fellowship/
🚨 Save the Date! 🚨
Applications for the 2026 Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF) open Oct 8.
ELF equips leaders of color with real-world tools in finance, HR, fundraising & more—through an anti-racist lens.
📅 Apply by Oct 29: alternativesyouth.org/fellowship/
#ELF2026 #EmergingLeaders
Applications for the 2026 Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF) open Oct 8.
ELF equips leaders of color with real-world tools in finance, HR, fundraising & more—through an anti-racist lens.
📅 Apply by Oct 29: alternativesyouth.org/fellowship/
#ELF2026 #EmergingLeaders
October 6, 2025 at 7:02 PM
🚨 Save the Date! 🚨
Applications for the 2026 Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF) open Oct 8.
ELF equips leaders of color with real-world tools in finance, HR, fundraising & more—through an anti-racist lens.
📅 Apply by Oct 29: alternativesyouth.org/fellowship/
#ELF2026 #EmergingLeaders
Applications for the 2026 Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF) open Oct 8.
ELF equips leaders of color with real-world tools in finance, HR, fundraising & more—through an anti-racist lens.
📅 Apply by Oct 29: alternativesyouth.org/fellowship/
#ELF2026 #EmergingLeaders
Alternatives and @afsc_org are hosting a youth-only workshop to help fight for the Public Health and Safety campaign demands to reallocate $300M in ghost 👻 cops and overtime abuse into community resources that actually keep us safe!
Monday, July 7th, 3-5pm at 306
Sign up! bit.ly/phsyouthprep
Monday, July 7th, 3-5pm at 306
Sign up! bit.ly/phsyouthprep
June 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Alternatives and @afsc_org are hosting a youth-only workshop to help fight for the Public Health and Safety campaign demands to reallocate $300M in ghost 👻 cops and overtime abuse into community resources that actually keep us safe!
Monday, July 7th, 3-5pm at 306
Sign up! bit.ly/phsyouthprep
Monday, July 7th, 3-5pm at 306
Sign up! bit.ly/phsyouthprep
We have another round of virtual events for next week!
February 20, 2025 at 4:46 PM
We have another round of virtual events for next week!
Join us virtually next week!
February 20, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Join us virtually next week!
Join us for a restorative circle, co-facilitated by our Peace Ambassadors, focused on reconnecting with the strength that lies within our communities, as we reflect on past moments of collective change and healing.
Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Time: 6-7pm
Zoom ID: 81301063787
Passcode: VnNAS2
Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Time: 6-7pm
Zoom ID: 81301063787
Passcode: VnNAS2
February 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Join us for a restorative circle, co-facilitated by our Peace Ambassadors, focused on reconnecting with the strength that lies within our communities, as we reflect on past moments of collective change and healing.
Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Time: 6-7pm
Zoom ID: 81301063787
Passcode: VnNAS2
Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Time: 6-7pm
Zoom ID: 81301063787
Passcode: VnNAS2
@govpritzker.illinois.gov , investing $550M in EBF in FY26 is the best way for the state to work to address systemic inequities in K-12 education. #FundtheFormula
February 11, 2025 at 2:40 AM
@govpritzker.illinois.gov , investing $550M in EBF in FY26 is the best way for the state to work to address systemic inequities in K-12 education. #FundtheFormula
Reposted by Alternatives
Tell Congress to oppose H.R. 9495, which would give the executive branch power to strip a U.S. nonprofit of its tax-exempt status without due process, chill nonprofit activity, and endanger any organization that may be targeted by an administration.
Tell Congress Not To Weaponize The Treasury Department Against Nonprofits
A dangerous bill that gives broad and easily abused new powers to the executive branch would allow the Secretary of Treasury to strip a U.S. nonprofit of its tax-exempt status. Nonprofits would not ha...
act.eff.org
November 15, 2024 at 6:38 PM
Tell Congress to oppose H.R. 9495, which would give the executive branch power to strip a U.S. nonprofit of its tax-exempt status without due process, chill nonprofit activity, and endanger any organization that may be targeted by an administration.
Reposted by Alternatives
The “nonprofit killer” bill is back on track after it was blocked earlier this week.
House GOP Moves to Ram Through Bill That Gives Trump Unilateral Power to Kill Nonprofits
A bill to give Donald Trump power to kill nonprofits is still supported by dozens of Democrats — giving the GOP plenty of breathing room.
interc.pt
November 15, 2024 at 2:36 PM
The “nonprofit killer” bill is back on track after it was blocked earlier this week.
Restorative justice isn’t just an alternative—it’s the solution to ending the school-to-prison pipeline. Heal, don’t punish. #RestorativeJustice #EndThePipeline
November 16, 2024 at 2:16 AM
Restorative justice isn’t just an alternative—it’s the solution to ending the school-to-prison pipeline. Heal, don’t punish. #RestorativeJustice #EndThePipeline
Together, We Heal
We provide behavioral health support and restorative justice solutions to young people in Chicago. Be part of the change: alternativesyouth.org #MentalHealthMatters #JusticeForYouth
We provide behavioral health support and restorative justice solutions to young people in Chicago. Be part of the change: alternativesyouth.org #MentalHealthMatters #JusticeForYouth
November 16, 2024 at 2:12 AM
Together, We Heal
We provide behavioral health support and restorative justice solutions to young people in Chicago. Be part of the change: alternativesyouth.org #MentalHealthMatters #JusticeForYouth
We provide behavioral health support and restorative justice solutions to young people in Chicago. Be part of the change: alternativesyouth.org #MentalHealthMatters #JusticeForYouth