When anyone from Pittsburgh hears the name Jackie Evancho, so many images of a young girl on stage appear – bright eyed and angelic, and thus even more so upon hearing the voice of a literal angel appears, and our hearts instantaneously melt.
Now, at the age of 18, Jackie’s newfound perspective on the world has her giving back to the community around her, particularly with the LGBTQ community.
The Brave Heart Foundation, which was established by the Evancho family, is proving to be one of the leading LGBTQ organizations within the city itself, and it has only been up-and-running for under one year.
The goal for them, is to not only assist LGBTQ youth from the ages of 18-26, but to provide housing, counseling and emotional support for those in need who might have nowhere else to turn to in their time of need.
To celebrate the inauguration of the foundation, the August Wilson Center hosted The Brave Heart Foundation last month to celebrate the triumph of their initiation. Friends, family and sponsors all mingled within the gathering hall to celebrate this inaugural event, and to share with the Evancho family their support of those in need within the LGBTQ community.
Many of those in attendance, including Jackie’s’ sister, Juliet, were inspirations for the founding of the organization, but Jackie’s close friend from high school helped to pioneer the idea within her family, having been ostracized from his own family when he came out as gay on his 18th birthday.
What seemed to be an impossible dream is now a living reality for this family and the community around them, and will surely do their bidding to help as many as they can in need.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
