About Embrace For Change
I started Embrace for Change Corporation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) as a way to say, "Thank You" to those who have made the greatest impact in my life throughout the years. There have been many people in my life that have encouraged, mentored, accepted and believed in me when I felt alone dealing with personal and family issues. I wanted to create a place where I can do the same for others. Embrace For Change Corporation is a place for encouragement and acceptance. I will support you! I will encourage you! I will stand by your side in the darkest hour! I will believe in your strength and help empower you to overcome your grief, emotions, feeling of being alone, and help educate you on improving your own mental health.
I have had a dream since I was ten years old to help other families who have family members that have been diagnosed with cancer. My oldest sister Stephanie, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma when she was an early teen in the 1980's. Our family spent many hours, days and nights at James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN and the Ronald McDonald House in Indianapolis during her treatments. She went into remission until 2013, when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer caused by the extreme amounts of radiation when she was a teen, that would eventually spread throughout her body and finally take her from us on April 29, 2016, at the age of 43. Leaving behind a husband and four children, Stephanie's memory lives on in all of those who knew her. Her experience and our family's experience during her cancer treatment, helped mold the person that I am today. I have spent most of my life helping others and want to continue to help families who are experiencing the same or similar issues that I went through as a child and as an adult.
My passion for helping families of cancer patients, survivors and victims, is a personal one. Whether it is the patient, parent, sibling, child, extended family member, close friends or community, I feel that many people need a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen to daily struggles, or an unconditional support system holding them up in their time of need. I will be starting cancer support groups in the near future for families and individuals to attend to have a safe place to show emotions, ask for help, educate themselves and their families that it is okay to cry, laugh, be sad, show emotions, speak about a family member who is in treatment or who has passed away. It will be a safe place for all members of the community who have been affected by cancer regardless of the type of cancer. Embrace For Change Support Groups will be coming soon to Voyage Counseling in Brownsburg, Indian on the west side of Indianapolis.
As a proud member of the LGTBQIA+ community and a lesbian myself, I have been a victim of hate speeches, targeting and derogatory comments said to not only myself but to my immediate family throughout my life. As a wife and stepmother, I have experienced the need for mental health support services for my family over the years. When thinking about who I wanted to help when I started the Embrace For Change Corporation, I thought about what my family experienced over the years from how we will pay for the services if our insurance does not cover the specific provider, can we afford the copay, is there financial assistance for lesbian/gay families, will they be open and accepting, will they preach the Bible at my family during session instead of helping us, to will we get the support and guidance we need to improve our mental health? I made a promise to myself long ago, that if I am ever able to help support other LGTBQIA+ youth and adults and families, I would. It has become my mission in life to make every member of the community feel welcomed, accepted and loved. Embrace For Change does not turn you away because you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning or asexual. We embrace your mental health journeys together.
"Embracing Mental Health journeys" is our mission at Embrace For Change. It is to create a thriving, inclusive society where every individual within the community feels safe, supported, and celebrated. We are dedicated to partnering with community organizations to deliver essential mental health support services that foster resilience, well-being, and empowerment. Driven by our passion for equity and acceptance, we strive to cultivate a compassionate environment where diversity is not only respected but embraced. Through advocacy, education, and accessible mental health resources, we aim to break down barriers and ensure that all individuals have equitable access to the care they deserve. Together, we envision a future where everyone can live authentically and flourish emotionally, regardless of medical diagnosis, mental health need, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. By standing together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow for the community and beyond.
Our motto and company name is "Embrace For Change" because today we are focusing on others and the changes in their lives that impact their mental health and wellbeing. There are times in all our lives when the phrase "I Will Do It Tomorrow" is the perfect explanation of how we are feeling today. Not everything in life needs to be handled today. Some things can be put off to another day because they are not urgent or necessary to be completed today. Your mental health and wellbeing are a priority to all of us at Embrace for Change. When you need assistance and feel the need to say, "I will do it tomorrow." remember we are here to help relieve the stress of not knowing what to do next or where to begin your search for a better mental health. Let our staff assist you with the details.
As a visitor to our site, your opinion matters to me. Each of you reading our blogs or daily inspirational quotes, influences the future in so many ways. Your comments provide Embrace For Change with the encouragement that we need and a better understanding of how the world views each post whether positive or negative. We hope we am able to answer questions and provide our own advice or opinion on the topic of each support group that we provide to our community.
I am not a licensed therapist or doctor, but a sister of a cancer victim who has the passion and heart to help you through your time of need. We are in this together, you do not have to be alone anymore.
Embrace For Change has partnered with Voyage Counseling LLC to provide mental health support services to the community of Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding cities.
If you would like to make a donation to Embrace For Change to support local youth and adults who attend the support groups with Voyage Counseling, please click on the Donate tab at the top of page. All donations will be used for the facilitation of mental health support groups, supplies, transportation, staff support, and training and education materials for members and staff.
Thank you so much for being part of this community. There are plenty of ways that you can become more involved. Follow Embrace For Change on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
Stay tuned for the Embrace For Change newsletter coming in the next few months.
Natalie
