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Positive Alternatives history
Positive Alternatives company history timeline
The agency’s services started in October 1974, when Alpha House Youth Care, Inc., a 501©3, non-profit corporation was developed.
In 1979, a group of four volunteers led by Reverend Ren Svanoe started four runaway programs in Wisconsin.
The agency follows policy and procedures that are board approved, and the board is governed by the bylaws that have been in effect since its development in 1981, when the agency gained non-profit status.
TeenCare was one of the original eight programs established by WAHRS in 1982 and was adopted as an additional service program offered to area youth by Alpha House Youth Care, Inc.
Beginning in 1985, Alternatives, Inc. becomes the provider of Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services (CCBYS) for Illinois Department of Human Services’ (IDHS) planning areas.
The program began under the name of Bifrost but changed to TeenCare in 1985.
After School Action Programs (ASAP), an initiative nationally recognized for its unique network structure and design, is launched in 1993.
Two years later, Girl World is founded as an initiative of ASAP. In 1994, EdgeUp is established as a partnership of schools, businesses, trade associations, and local social service providers.
In 1995, a Mediation Center is established at Senn High School and Mayor Daley’s Region One YouthNet Center – a City initiative to use public facilities to provide a “safety-net” for young people during after school hours.
Although the agency changed the corporation name in July 1996 to Positive Alternatives, Inc., the group home retained the program name of Alpha House.
In 1996, the students from YouthNet create the first Peer Jury (now call Restortative Justice) in the Chicago Public Schools.
The Menomonie School Mentoring Program found its way to Positive Alternatives, Inc. in 1997.
In 1999, Positive Alternatives, Inc. took on new programs including the Sandcastles Divorce Program in September and the Dunn County Juvenile Home Detention and Electronic Monitoring Programs in October.
In October 2006, a second co-ed group home for teens opened in River Falls, WI, under the name Alpha House-River Falls.
In 2006, the Bricolage project completes the new mural façade of the 4730 building.
Also in 2006, a truancy contract was started with Dunn County, a tracking contract with St Croix County began, and programs continued to grow.
Due to facility needs, Positive Alternatives built a brand new facility, also in River Falls, where Alpha House-River Falls moved in October 2008.
In 2008, Positive Alternatives created “core programs”. Each group home is a core program, and the rest of the programs were placed under the title of Prevention Services or Intervention Services.
In 2014, Alternatives’ Board of Directors approves a strategic plan that includes opening a centralized youth center on Chicago’s South Side.
In 2015, Alternatives’ longtime service area for CCBYS crisis intervention and prevention services expands to include 11 additional South Side communities east of the Dan Ryan.
In 2016, Urban Arts programming expands into 4 high schools on Chicago’s South Side.
On August 22, 2017, Prevention Services established a Blessing Box as to provide the community with resources they need to flourish and survive.
As of October 2018, this program is no longer offered.
On October 1, 2018, Prevention and Intervention Services merged to become Community Based Services.
In 2018, Alternatives opens a South Side center in Washington Park at 241 E. 57th St
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| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advocacy | 1975 | $10.0M | 50 | - |
| Unity House of Troy | 1971 | $23.6M | 240 | 32 |
| Unity House of Cayuga County | 1977 | $50.0M | 200 | 32 |
| Family Service Of Burlington County | 1962 | $1.3M | 13 | - |
| LifeTies | 1982 | $5.0M | 26 | - |
| East Alabama Mental Health Center | - | $17.5M | 4 | - |
| Blue Valley Behavioral Health Joint Commission Accredited | 1972 | $2.9M | 50 | - |
| Glove House | 1968 | $10.0M | 100 | 27 |
| Wayside Youth & Family Support Network | 1977 | $50.0M | 200 | 4 |
| Compass Housing Alliance | 1920 | $50.0M | 36 | 13 |
Positive Alternatives history FAQs
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Positive Alternatives may also be known as or be related to POSITIVE ALTERNATIVES INC, Positive Alternatives and Positive Alternatives Inc.