Encircle announces LGBTQ+ home will be built in Rexburg
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REXBURG — A nonprofit home benefitting the LGBTQ+ community is coming to Rexburg.
Encircle, a 4,000-square-foot family and youth center, will be built at 113 South Center Street, the organization announced Wednesday. It is part of the group’s nationwide expansion with the goal of spreading “No Side, Only Love” across the country.
CEO and Founder Stephenie Larsen tells EastIdahoNews.com Encircle recently bought the property, and construction is slated to begin soon, pending city approval.
“It will take us a little over a year before we open the doors,” Larsen says.
The center will offer a variety of services to provide resources for LGBTQ+ young adults, their families and those struggling to find connection.
“Every day, we have programs that range from art to music to writing classes, service projects. We have a speaker series. We also have what we call friendship circles, which are support groups. We do about 13 of those a week,” Larsen says. “Sometimes, they talk about bullying, sometimes suicide or things they’re struggling with or (succeeding at) in their life. There, they find connection and community.”
Larsen says the most important thing the home will do is provide therapy with therapists who are experts at helping LGBTQ+ youth, students and families.
Parents are invited to participate in the programs to understand and help their children.
“I was so excited to hear that Encircle is opening a home in Rexburg,” Alex Guerrero, a volunteer at Encircle says in a news release. “I graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho two years ago and coming to terms with my sexuality and gender identity while I was there was extremely difficult. It was hard to find LGBTQ+ friendly therapists and a supportive community. I felt very lonely at times but I was able to find other queer friends and allys who were kind to me, listened to me and encouraged me to be myself. This new home in Rexburg will allow other people to make those same connections and have a place to feel safe.”
Often, Larsen says those who don’t fit the traditional mold feel shame and the overall goal at Encircle is to make sure each guest feels loved and accepted.
More than 24% of the population in Rexburg is under 18, according to 2020 census data. Larsen cites a new Gallup poll, which reports 21% of young people today identify as LGBT. As of 2019, Encircle spokesman Andre Russell says another 68% of LGBTQ students in Idaho experienced some form of discrimination.
“This is a part of our population that we don’t want to grow up feeling shame for who they are … and turning to self-harming behaviors that sometimes happen when you don’t have the support you need. Encircle wants to be there to help these youth … have good mental health and positive lives,” Larsen explains.
The high population of BYU-Idaho students is the main reason why Rexburg was selected as the site for this new center.
Encircle got its start in Provo, Utah about five years ago and has grown to include locations in St. George and Salt Lake City. Since its inception, Larsen says the nonprofit has brought people together and created a greater sense of understanding and tolerance for everyone involved.
“We become closer and have better conversations around being LGBTQ+ and what that looks like. When we learn and grow from each other, we become better people and learn to love each other better,” says Larsen.
Rexburg will be the first Idaho location and the first of 10 other locations throughout the U.S. Larsen anticipates another location opening in Boise next year.
She’s excited for the organization’s future in eastern Idaho and the ways it will benefit the community.
“The people who come to Encircle are great people. They’re the future of our communities and we’re excited to open our first home in Rexburg,” Larsen says.
The build-out is expected to last eight months. A grand opening celebration will likely occur once it’s complete. Encircle homes are made possible through donors and supporters. Naming rights for the Rexburg home are still available. More information can be found here.
WATCH OUR ENTIRE INTERVIEW WITH LARSEN IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE