On September 11, 2001, the moment the second plane hit the Twin Towers, it was obvious to even bystanders that America was under attack. Before long, the area was covered in a cloud of thick, toxic dust. All bridges and tunnels were shut down, making water the only way off Manhattan Island. As the Twin Towers collapsed, hundreds of thousands of ash-covered people were stranded … [Read more...] about 4 Ways Everyone Can Help Improve Mental Health in Their Communities
LGBTQ
Creating Common Ground: The Uncanny Ability of Activist Troy Williams
As a boy, Troy Williams sought refuge in X-Men comics. The X-Men are outlaw heroes whose unusual powers manifest at puberty. The world persecutes them because they are different. Yet, despite being ostracized, X- Men do their best to protect a world that is hostile to them. “That premise became a metaphor, not just of my emerging sexuality but also of my life that I would … [Read more...] about Creating Common Ground: The Uncanny Ability of Activist Troy Williams
Stephenie Larsen: Founder of Encircle
At our 2022 annual gala, Stephenie Larsen, founder of Encircle, spoke about the desire to make a positive impact on the world. She talks about the need to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and how community support is key. "I think that 95 percent of us all day long are working our hardest to have a positive impact on the world. And I’m grateful for people who are willing … [Read more...] about Stephenie Larsen: Founder of Encircle
How an Anonymous Note Brought a Community Together
On a hot July evening, Elizabeth Gardner was walking with her children in Cascade Park in Orem, Utah, when something caught her eye—a piece of paper lying in the grass. “I almost didn’t pick it up,” she recalls. But curiosity got the better of her. When Gardner inspected the paper, she discovered that it was an anonymous note from a lonely LGBTQ teen. The 15-year-old … [Read more...] about How an Anonymous Note Brought a Community Together
From Attorney to Crusader: Stephenie Larsen of Encircle House
When Stephenie Larsen (she/her) moved away from Provo to Washington, D.C., to work on Capitol Hill, she realized that she had been living in a bubble her whole life. She realized that she had views of the world that were inaccurate. She had gone to school at BYU where she first earned a degree in family science, then earned her law degree. In Washington, D.C., she worked on … [Read more...] about From Attorney to Crusader: Stephenie Larsen of Encircle House
