Our Theory of Change

In the United States today, over 1.9 million LGBTQ+ youth are growing up and navigating disproportionate exposure to violence and marginalization. Alarmingly, many of these young people also lack access to supportive adults. Research shows that LGBTQ+ youth who have the acceptance and support of at least one adult in their lives are 40% less likely to attempt suicide, highlighting the vital role of supportive relationships in the lives of LGBTQ+ young people. 

At Linked Mentoring, we facilitate intergenerational individual, group, and peer LGBTQ+ mentoring relationships that make a mutually affirming, positive impact. We envision a world where LGBTQ+ young people are surrounded by affirming, trusted, and allied peers, adults, communities, and structures supporting them to thrive authentically and in pride. We further reimagine mentorship as a remote-first organization, creating far-reaching access for connection between LGBTQ+ youth and adults across the country. 

Through one-on-one mentoring, youth committees, community events, and support groups, we inspire connections essential to our collective liberation and the exploration of our community members’ passions, agency, and personhood. Rooted in youth leadership and equity, we continuously collaborate with and adapt to our youth’s evolving needs. We connect with our youth’s families and support networks to ensure a thorough and holistic impact. We inspire broader community support by building meaningful and intentional partnerships with key community partners that center our missions' shared, collaborative nature.

As an organization led by LGBTQ+ people for LGBTQ+ people, we imbed our mission in all that we do by practicing fundamental values. We actively remove barriers that may otherwise prevent your meaningful presence and participation with us. We model the accessible and equitable practices we wish to see in the world. We deeply value and embrace the identities of our community members, especially transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary youth; Black, Indigenous, youth of color; disabled youth; undocumented youth; and youth in foster care, shelters, and the immigration and incarceration systems. We meet people where you are to create approachable and accessible ways for self-discovery, knowledge-sharing, and truth-telling. We lead with a strengths-based and positive youth development lens that especially embraces the importance of humor, playfulness, and wonder. We build intentional, intersectional, and inclusive relationships throughout our community where people feel connected, supported, and that you uniquely belong. We practice transparent communication, accountability, and reliability to build trust within our community.