Our History

Youth Organizations Umbrella, Inc. was founded in 1971 by an Evanston Youth Commission task force that was appointed to assess the unmet needs of youth and to develop an effective response. For over 35 years, Y.O.U. has responded to the emerging needs of Evanston's youth through evolving program components and locations.

1971—Y.O.U. incorporated on September 15th

1972—Drop-in center for Evanston Township High School students opens at Church and East Railroad

1976—First team of outreach workers hired

1976—Emergency housing program begins helping families in crisis

1986—Y.O.U. and PEER Services begin substance abuse early intervention groups

1990—Ridgeville Park District funds one-year street outreach pilot in far-south Evanston

1993—First homework center opens at Sherman Avenue

1993—Y.O.U. chosen to lead Evanston Child & Adolescent Local Area Network (LAN 40)

1994—Program of targeted outreach to Hispanic families privately funded

1995—Drop-in and homework centers open at Chute School

1997—First licensed professional counselors hired

1997—Respite program funded by Illinois Department of Mental Health

1999—Y.O.U. and Family Focus jointly secure an Illinois Department of Human Services delinquency prevention program grant

1999—The EPD and Y.O.U. receive Cook County grant to carry out street outreach

2001—Cook County Juvenile Court funds Y.O.U. to coordinate mediation for juvenile offenders and their victims in District 2 (northeastern Cook County)

2002—Y.O.U., Family Focus, and McGaw YMCA selected by Illinois Department of Human Services to provide after-school services at Chute, Nichols, and Haven middle schools

2002—Y.O.U. selected by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to provide intensive case management services for high-risk families

2002—Outpost opened at Evanston Township High School

2003—Y.O.U. awarded delinquency prevention grant by Illinois Department of Human Services

2004— Illinois Department of Human Services funds Y.O.U. and Community Defender to provide services to youth on probation.

2004—District 65, Family Focus, and Y.O.U. selected by U. S. Department of Education to develop 21st Century Learning Centers at Kingsley, Oakton, and Washington schools.

2005—Fully staffed, 5 days per week center opens at Evanston Township High School.

2006—Y.O.U. purchased the 1027 Sherman building, which houses administrative and program offices, as well as the youth center for the Nichols program.