Encircle: Supporting LGBTQ Youth with Love and Kindness
What Encircle is trying to do is not merely keep the youth alive, we're trying to help them thrive.
Stephanie Larson, CEO of Encircle, joins Maria Shilaos on Healthy Mind Matters to discuss the vital support her organization provides to young LGBTQ individuals and their families. Encircle aims to create a safe and welcoming space where these young people can thrive, offering programs, services, and reduced-cost therapy. Larson passionately addresses common misconceptions about Encircle, emphasizing that their goal is not to influence sexual orientation but to foster coping skills, positive emotional experiences, and genuine connections.
She shares heartwarming stories of how Encircle has impacted lives, like a young person who told her, 'I am a light because of Encircle'. Throughout the conversation, Larson highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the LGBTQ community, urging listeners to treat them with love and kindness. She also touches on the challenges of sustaining funding and the invaluable community support that keeps Encircle's mission alive.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to better understand and support LGBTQ youth.