HUMBOLDT PARK — Erie Teen Health Center celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated and expanded location at 2418 W. Division St., offering comprehensive services to city teens.
The center will serve teens of low-income communities who are exposed to violence and other problems, and will provide confidential services including counseling, pregnancy and prenatal care, along with care for those with HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. It is the only stand-alone, full-service facility in Chicago providing services to teens.
Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th) has witnessed the growth of the facility for the last 20 years and called the services "amazing" for the community.
“Now I am exceptionally pleased that they have added this teen clinic so that our teenagers have a place where they can bring about their health care concerns in strict confidentiality," Maldonado said. "To me that's so important, that they can have a sense of security coming here, getting the services that they need."
The renovations and expansion were funded in part by the Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation and Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation.
Naja Buford, 17, has been a patient at Erie's Foster Avenue location for the last three years and received prenatal health services during her pregnancy.
From North Lawndale, Buford now makes the 40-minute commute to the Humboldt location with her 9-month-old son, Landon. For Buford, the commute is "worth it."
“They actually take their time with you, they take their time to know who you are and what type of person you are. It’ll be a great experience for any teen who comes here.” Buford said.
The center now will serve 2,000 more patients at the expanded center.
