Concerning the Current COVID-19 Pandemic
During this unprecedented time of uncertainty and concern, many of you are making your own plans for the safety and well-being of your families, your staff, and the people you serve as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to affect our work, our neighbors and our community. The Bridge Youth and Family Services has been a mental health counseling and crisis intervention resource in Palatine and the surrounding townships for the last 55 years and we will continue to be concerned for the mental health and well-being of the youth and families we help. We are aware of COVID-19’s impact and the further isolation and potential anxieties it brings to our youth as our schools and community responds.
Working in collaboration with our Board of Directors, counselors, and schools, The Bridge will continue to provide counseling and crisis response until or unless new information forces a change.
We have implemented our own response plan to keep our clients, volunteers, and staff members safe and healthy at The Bridge and emphasize to anyone coming in for services that they should stay home if symptomatic, or have been in contact with someone that is ill. We will conduct meetings via phone and digital meeting platforms when possible as we are committed to a practice of social distancing in all areas of work.
The Bridge’s mission is founded on empowering youth and their families to overcome mental health challenges and trauma and in times of health-related isolation, it is important to encourage everyone to innovate new ways to cope, stay socially connected and feel empowered.
The decisions The Bridge makes will be with care and compassion as we respond as responsible members of our community and work together to slow the spread of this virus. We will continue to keep you updated with the latest posted on our website and through e-newsletters. If you have any immediate questions, please direct them to gstockey@bridgeyouth.org and we will do our best to get back to you quickly.
Crisis Services
Our counselors will remain on-call 24/7 to respond to crisis situations.
Call 847-776-3720 to be connected with our on-call crisis counselor.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency call 911.
For Clients
With guidance and in alignment with the State of Illinois, and in accordance with public health science, The Bridge office staff will be working remotely after the winter holidays: January 4 through January 15. There will be limited presence in the office during this time. Please see the below links and telephone numbers for contact information during this time.
Where possible our counselors are conducting counseling over phone or secure video chats. Your counselor may be reaching out to you via blocked number.
Since March, our administrative office has been closed to nonessential personnel. However, we will begin to allow clients back into the office to obtain mental health services on a case-by-case basis. Your counselor will work with you to determine whether your sessions will remain online/over telephone or move to in-office.
If you and your counselor determine in-office visits are preferred, you will need to review our new in-office procedures. Also available in Spanish here.
If you need to make a payment for services, you can do so online.
For Parents/Caregivers
For Supporters and Donors
We are very grateful for all who have reached out to offer their support during this public health crisis. Although we remain open, we have had to modify our services to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, including changing some of our therapy sessions to over the phone, we are also decreasing our volunteer opportunities. While we appreciate all who want to lend their support, at this time the best way you can help us continue to provide crucial mental health counseling and crisis interventions for runaway, homeless, or otherwise at-risk youth in our community is to make a contribution.
Any amount donated will make a direct impact on our mission and the lives of the youth and families we serve. Visit our donation page or email jgow@bridgeyouth.org to donate.
You can also support The Bridge by volunteering from home. See our current volunteer opportunities here.
Sign up for our e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook for the most up-to-date news.
Our annual spring fundraising gala took place online this year–view the recording below!