An Update on Encircle Heber

After thorough consideration and extensive review, Encircle has made the difficult decision to conclude operations at our Heber home.

The home will remain open through July 31st as we support youth, families, volunteers, and staff through a careful transition process.

This decision follows an extensive evaluation of home operations. Since opening in 2023, Encircle has worked diligently to build awareness, partnerships, and participation in the Heber area. Our team invested significant time and resources into school outreach, community events, local partnerships, marketing efforts, and relationship-building throughout Wasatch County and the surrounding region.

While individual youth and families have benefited from the support, community, and services provided through the Heber home, attendance and engagement remained consistently lower than at Encircle's other locations.

To help inform this decision, Encircle conducted a community readiness assessment examining factors such as community engagement, leadership support, volunteer capacity, local resources, and long-term sustainability. The findings reinforced what several years of operational experience had already shown: while need exists among LGBTQ+ youth and families in the region, the broader conditions necessary to sustain a dedicated physical location have not developed to the same degree seen in Encircle's other communities. The assessment and methodology were independently reviewed and validated by Dr. Lisa Diamond, distinguished Professor of Psychology and Gender Studies at the University of Utah, who found the conclusions to be well-supported and evidence-based.

This decision is not a reflection of Encircle's broader organizational health. Encircle's other locations continue to serve thousands of youth and families across Utah through community programs, family support, and mental health services. Across the organization, demand for services remains strong, and Encircle remains deeply committed to its mission of bringing family and community together to enable LGBTQ+ young people to thrive.

Encircle's mission remains strong and growing across Utah. In 2026 alone, our homes in Provo, Salt Lake City, St. George, and Ogden have welcomed more than 1600 unique guests through drop-in services, support groups, family programming, and community events. Our newest location in Ogden, which has been open for less than a year, is already welcoming more than 17 youth each day and continues to see strong engagement from the community. Across all Encircle locations, we have provided more than 1500 therapy sessions and continued to expand access to life-affirming support for LGBTQ+ youth and families. We remain deeply committed to serving LGBTQ+ youth and families across Utah and to investing in the communities where the need, participation, and impact continue to grow.

Most importantly, we recognize that this home has mattered deeply to the youth, families, volunteers, donors, and community members who helped build it. For some young people, the Heber home provided moments of belonging, friendship, support, and hope. Those experiences matter, and they will continue to be part of Encircle's story.

Over the coming weeks, Encircle will work closely with current guests and families to ensure continuity of support and connection to services ahead of the home's final day of operations on July 31, 2026. We remain committed to serving LGBTQ+ youth and families throughout Utah and to making thoughtful decisions that allow us to have the greatest possible impact for years to come.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported Encircle Heber and helped create a place of care, connection, and belonging for the young people who walked through its doors.