Deena Phfaler, founder and executive director of Love on a Mission, is proud and passionate about the impact of the organization.
Love on a Mission launched in 2015 with the mission to create awareness and start conversations regarding the need for LGBTQ resources in our community.
“After my twin sons uploaded a coming out video on YouTube, it quickly went viral. I started receiving messages from kids and after much research, I quickly found there were no resources for LGBTQ youth in our area,” Phfaler said. “Love on a Mission was birthed creating a safe space for LGBTQ youth to be their authentic selves in our community.”
Love on a Mission focuses on providing support, advocacy, and education to LGBT youth and allies, ages 12-18, in the community. Through Love on a Mission, LGBT youth can socialize and come together to grow more comfortable, educate themselves and have others to go to if they are in need of help.
“Our future plans include a drop-in center for youth after school,” said Phfaler. “Our goal is to also have emergency beds for youth that find themselves homeless after coming out to their parents or family.”
There is only room for growth with Love on a Mission. The next meetup is Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, at the UMADAOP Community Outreach Center from 3 to 5 p.m.
“We are currently raising funds to find a space of our own to have an after school drop-in center throughout the week. We will continue to offer support groups and other educational and training programs,” said Pfaler.
Consider donating to Love on a Mission this year for Richland Gives.
