Rynn openly discusses his difficulty building friendships and finding places for community. Sometimes he feels on edge, unsure of how people will react to him. He’s used to the rejection and bullying that too often comes with being gay. That doesn’t make it any easier. He feels connected to Found Village. His mother agrees. She said they tried other programs, even ones geared towards LGBTQ youth. Even in spite of a handful of rocky experiences with other FV youth, he remains a strong part of the community. For the past 5 years he has been a consistent part of the Found Village Community. His mother says the coaches have poured into him. His self-confidence has improved, and his mood lightened. He no longer self-harms or seeks solace in the walls of the psych ward. He’s also holding down a job at a local restaurant where he’s on track to be a manager and nearly finished with his post-secondary program. He’s turning 22 this year; thanks to our model that sticks with young people for the long-haul, we’ll still have a several more years to see him continue his journey of transformation.