SALT LAKE CITY — The owners of the Utah Jazz, Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds and his wife, Aja Volkman, and Apple are donating a combined $4 million to Encircle, an organization that provides support services for LGBTQ youth and their families.
Part of the donation is Reynolds' childhood home, valued at $1 million, in Las Vegas.
“Encircle is about bringing young LGBTQ+ people and their families together, by including the community and strengthening the bonds that connect us,” said Dan Reynolds and Aja Volkman. “Being a part of this organization means so much to both of us — and we know the house Dan grew up in will be a loving and supportive home to every young LGBTQ+ person who crosses the threshold.”
Utah Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith are committing $2 million to the initiative, and Apple is pledging another $1 million.
The donations are part of Encircle's new "8 million, 8 homes" capital campaign, which aims to establish eight new Encircle homes in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah.
Utah currently has Encircle homes in Salt Lake City, Provo and St. George, and a fourth is under construction in Heber City.
"Since its founding in 2017, Encircle has served over 70,000 individuals and funded thousands of family and youth therapy sessions, providing a lifeline to those facing suicidality, isolation and depression, helping them build local community and forge a path forward. It’s been an especially urgent need during the pandemic, which has cut off many more young people from their friends and other support systems outside the home," a news release from Encircle says.
Visit the Encircle website for further details on the program.
