423: If the Ensign Peak Fund isn't Your Donation Destination of Choice...

Send us a Positive Review! In this episode Valerie introduces you to Mark Crego, fellow Latter-day Saint seeker, whose own many-decades-long faith journey led him to create a not-for-profit organization to help those in faith crisis in the LDS church get the resources they need.  In the episode Mark's passion to help others is fueled by the memory of being a young man with questions and nowhere to take them and no community to normalize (or even celebrate) his growth.   Those who do not have resources or a supportive community while on the LDS faith journey often suffer from mental health issues, relationship distress, isolation, and shame.  Learn how to be a part of a movement that makes sure that NO ONE experiences their most vulnerable spiritual awakening moments alone and concurrently supports professionals who have devoted their careers to creating communities of healing for the Latter-day Saint seeker. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro  01:43 Mark’s Faith Journey Origins  04:00 Why Faith Journey Foundation Exists  05:22 Susan Hinkley and Related Projects 06:11 Valerie on Normalizing Faith Growth  10:20 Finding Neutral Support Beyond Church Systems  15:40 Faith Crisis as Identity Formation  18:59 How Valerie and Mark Met  19:18 Valerie's Origin Story with Latter Day Struggles 23:20 The Miracle of Finding Faith Journey Foundation 26:52 Scholarships and How to Get Help  30:54 Funding Model and Supported Projects  35:20 Sustainable Care and Paying Professionals  37:01 Other Communities and Projects FJF Supports 38:28 Valerie on Criticism of Paid Faith Work 40:14 Compassion Doesn't Mean Free Labor 44:14 Closing Invitation and Final Thoughts Support the show Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Fellowship SEMI-ANNUAL SALE $69 Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website