“It’s a life changing experience and it gives you a whole different concept about yourself.”

These are the words of Jeremy, a LifeSet participant who felt all odds were against him growing up and into adulthood. People like Jeremy are proof that having support and encouragement through programs like LifeSet can go a long way in a young person’s life.

Jeremy lived his entire life with ADHD and autism. He did not start making friends until he was 18. Prior to that, his entire world revolved around movies, books and video games.

Living on the spectrum, Jeremy’s mental health suffered as he dealt with being isolated from society and often had feelings of anger and sudden mood swings. This impacted him into adulthood as he struggled to recognize his ability to accomplish anything.

Jeremy’s journey gets a little more complicated.

Jeremy’s family moved from a small town in North Carolina to the coastal Wilmington area during the pandemic. Around that same time, he came out to his family pansexual. This revelation caused a rift between him and his parents. As Jeremy was looking for support in his community, he was referred to Youth Villages where he began working with his specialist, Marianna. This began his journey of sharing his feelings and the with his parents regarding his sexuality.

“It came to the point where I wasn’t entirely sure if I was safe in my home,” Jeremy said.

Jeremy’s desire to display pride flags and paraphernalia on his car infuriated his parents. His life had also been violently threatened by a close friend of the family, which at the time, the family took as a joke and not a serious threat.

LifeSet helps Jeremy find his voice, stand up for his rights and develop goals

Jeremy began inquiring about [vehicle] property rights and together, he and his specialist came up with solutions on how to address the issues with his parents.

“This made me, as his support person, feel a lot more positive, because he was ready to learn,” Marianna said. “I saw him as being very brave in that moment.”

Together, they accomplished much more for Jeremy. Through peer-to-peer engagement opportunities, LifeSet participants come together and learn about educational, business and personal development opportunities. Through this group, Jeremy found a sense of community and established friendships with those who have similar experiences.

Jeremy also secured a job, which allowed him to meet his financial obligations and secure housing for himself. They worked on setting goals, which at one point he felt he could never reach.

Now, Jeremy is studying at Brunswick Community College for an associate degree in science. His primary goal is to become a professor and teach marine biology. He also volunteers his time cleaning the beach.

“Through LifeSet, I gained a new community of friends,” Jeremy said. “They helped me discover a newfound confidence within myself.”

Here is a list of resources for caregivers seeking help creating an affirming environment for children with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (SOGIE).

To learn more about our services in North Carolina click here.

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