In 1965, Palatine Township became the second township in Illinois to appoint a youth committee, made up of community residents, to identify problems confronted by youth in the community. Over the next few years a drop-in center opened, outreach work began, and a summer youth employment program was developed. When the Simon and Garfunkle song Bridge Over Troubled Waters became popular, the youth named the agency The Bridge. The Bridge Youth Services became the official name of the organization in 1976.
Due to its positive reputation, The Bridge received Federal and State funds by the Illinois Law Enforcement Commission. With the addition of new funding, programs were expanded and The Bridge quickly became a model for other youth agencies throughout the state of Illinois
The Bridge has remained a leader in providing effective programming to youth. Board, volunteers and staff members have initiated a wide-range of services to meet and anticipate needs. The Bridge has also been an advocate for the development of other community services and a leader in collaborative efforts. Shelter, Inc. (a residential placement agency), Talkline (a 24-hour crisis intervention agency), District 211’s Alternative School, and the Transitional Living Program at Harbour, Inc. are but a few examples of existing programs initiated with Bridge support.
In 1989, services were extended to serve youth and their families; the agency name was modified to The Bridge Youth and Family Services to reflect the added age group and philosophy of service.
The first satellite site at the Shoppes of Foxfire near Rand and Hicks roads, opened in December 1994 to better serve the northeast corner of Palatine Township .
A community partnership grant from Northwest Community Healthcare started the substance abuse treatment services in November 1995. Services are now available in partnership with Palatine and Fremd High Schools .
The satellite site moved from the Shoppes at Foxfire to the Palatine Opportunity Center in April 2000. Palatine Township redesigned The Bridge’s office space and expanded it by 3,100 square feet in that same year.
