LGBTQ resource centers for Utah on hold due to funding issues

PROVO, Utah — A Utah non-profit devoted to serving to LGBTQ youth is turning into one other sufferer of powerful financial instances.

For nearly six years, Encircle has helped almost 60,000 LGBTQ teenagers with three facilities throughout the state.

Stephenie Larsen is the founder and CEO of Encircle. She opened the primary middle in Provo on Valentine’s Day in 2017. She mentioned the middle was instantly stuffed with teenagers and households in search of assets. So, it was a no brainer to open two extra facilities — one in Salt Lake Metropolis and one other in St. George.

The facilities are costly to run, with extremely expert social employees and therapists, together with employees members. The corporate is a 501c(3) that’s donor funded.

A 12 months and a half in the past, with the assistance of Think about Dragons and Love Loud, Larsen raised $8 million to construct eight new facilities. However rising prices of building mixed with inflation have made it not possible to complete two which might be at present beneath building — one in Ogden and one other in Logan.

As well as, Larsen mentioned she made the powerful choice to chop her staff by 27%.

The selections have been brutal for Larsen, particularly after households have been in a position to make the most of the assets Encircle has out there.

Final 12 months, Encircle helped 80% extra teenagers than the 12 months earlier than, so to push pause on tasks already within the works is hard.

“I believe there’s a misunderstanding that Encircle is effectively funded,” Larsen mentioned. “However this isn’t a reasonable venture to do.”

The non-profit will get $200,000 in state cash yearly, which helps, however Larsen mentioned hiring extremely skilled social employees and therapists is all the time going to price loads.

A brand new location in Heber Metropolis will open subsequent month, however that would be the final new Encircle for the foreseeable future.

If you need extra details about Encircle, click on right here.