LGBT support group opens this fall for Cache Valley teens and young adults

A brand-new program aims to offer support to the LGBT youth and young adults in the Cache Valley community, so they feel loved and accepted.

The LearnGrow Agency, founded by Jennifer Bergman, has been offering social work in the valley for the last 20 years and saw a need for support groups and resources.

April Stanger, CSW, has worked alongside Bergman and will be the director for their new support groups and resources.

Our approach is that we want to celebrate that people are unique and help them find their strengths within,” Stanger said. “We want those people who don’t feel like they belong anywhere to know they do belong.”

While working on her internship at Logan High School several years ago, Stanger was notified of five teen suicides. Their LGBT support group is discreetly located in downtown Logan, purposefully chosen to be just a short walk from Logan High.

“Many LGBT teens just don’t know where to go. They feel alone,” Stanger explained. “They have questions and need to feel loved and accepted.”

There will be two different age ranges for the LGBT support groups. The first group will be held right after school on Tuesday from 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm for school-aged kids up to 18. Their second young adult group will be held later on Tuesday from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm for those 19-25. The groups will begin near the end of August.

Stanger said they plan to have ten people in each support group and will have as many groups as needed.

“If we get 30 teens signing up for this group, we will just create more groups. No one will be turned away,” she explained.

The goals for the group include reducing anxiety, depression, and isolation, develop a connection, discover confidence and “live purposefully as the beautifully unique individual that you are.”

The LearnGrow Agency will also offer other support groups for the community with topics like grief and recovery, empowerment, stress management, and emotional regulation.

For those interested in joining the group, Stanger said to email [email protected] or call/text 508-470-2851.

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1 Comment

  • Crista Sorenson July 24, 2019 at 8:29 pm Reply

    Since 2012 programs through Cache Pride Center (formally Outreach) have been providing these very resources. Logan Pride Foundation, formed as Cache Valley’s LGBTQ+ 501c3 in 2017 has been working to bring spaces and activities for our Queer community and their allies. Reporting that there are no other resources available is not accurate.

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