Pride Month and Beyond: How to be a True LGBTQ+ Ally Year-Round

Happy Pride Month! June is a time to honor the history, culture, and ongoing pursuit of equality within the LGBTQ+ community. Members of this community face mental health challenges at disproportionately higher rates than the general population. This makes meaningful support more important than ever.

But true allyship extends beyond June. So what does that look like?

Advocacy. Speak up when something isn’t right. Vote for equality. Volunteer your time to help advocacy groups. Change can’t happen overnight, but consistent advocacy makes a difference.

Education. Learn about the community's history and current events on your own instead of putting that burden on your LGBTQ+ friends. Stay informed on the political climate and call your representatives!

Celebration. Participate in Pride. Come to events throughout the year. Patronize queer-owned businesses. These intentional acts of support remind LGBTQ+ individuals that they are valued beyond Pride Month.

Listening. When a queer person shares their experience with you, listen and validate what you hear. Reflect back what they say to show you're present. Most people just need to feel heard, not advised.

All Souls stands in support of the LGBTQ+ community and invites you to celebrate the diversity of Pride this month. When we lift up marginalized folks, we lift us all up. Happy Pride, everyone!

This month’s episode explores the roots of Pride, the progress made, and the realities the LGBTQ+ community continues to navigate today. We’ll talk about why queer and trans people face higher needs for mental health support due to ongoing marginalization and discrimination, and why Pride remains just as vital now as it was at its beginning.



In a moment of shifting political and social landscapes, celebrating the richness, resilience, and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community—through June and far beyond—matters more than ever.

Hope Has Bloomed!

On May 14th, All Souls staff, donors, sponsors, and friends gathered for our 4th annual springtime fundraiser, Hope is in Bloom at the Crest Center. A huge thank you to our presenting sponsor, First Bank, whose generous support made this event possible.



A highlight of the afternoon came when Mayor Esther Manheimer announced a City of Asheville Proclamation designating May 14th, 2026, as "All Souls Counseling Center Day." Thank you to the City of Asheville and Mayor Manheimer for this honor!

Guests left feeling inspired by a moving presentation from our guest speaker, Dr. Kevin C. Snyder, who shared his personal journey navigating mental health battles from the early age of 12, reminding us that when barriers are removed and conversations are opened, hope can bloom for anyone. Thank you to Pisgah Investments Foundation for sponsoring our keynote address.

Thank you to our staff, board, therapists, volunteers, sponsors, and attendees for making this such a lovely event. Your presence is a reminder of why our work matters.



To see more about Hope is in Bloom 2026, view the photo gallery, and stay up to date for next year's fundraiser, click the link below!

Register now for the Mental Health Matters 5k!

Join us on September 19th for a day of movement and mindfulness as we host our 4th annual Mental Health Matters 5k Walk/Run at UNC-Asheville from 9 AM to Noon. Along with a morning of exercise, this family-friendly event allows participants to connect, learn about local resources, and engage in conversations to help raise awareness for mental health support.

Two walk/run options will be available:

1. Walk or run the route on UNCA's campus 

2. Walk or run around UNCA's Karl Straus Track

Registration Details:

Free for ages 22 and under!

$30 Regular price (Now-September 4th)

$35 Price September 5th-18th

$40 Price September 19th (Race Day!)

The first 400 participants will receive a free t-shirt!

Lace up your sneakers, throw on your favorite playlist, and let's take the steps to make Western North Carolina a place where seeking help is met with support, not stigma!

Register for the Health and Resource Fair!

Looking for a great way to get your organization in front of an active and highly engaged Asheville audience? Registrations for the Health and Resource Fair opened June 3rd!

If your business/organization is interested in hosting an outreach table at the Mental Health Matters Walk/Run Health and Resource Fair, please complete the online vendor registration by noon on Wednesday, September 2nd. The resource fair will take place on the infield of the Karl Straus Track at UNCA, and we ask that community partners bring their own table, chairs, and tent. All canopy tents must be weighted down throughout the event.

Volunteers Needed!

Don't want to walk or run the 5k, but still want to support? Consider volunteering!

Multiple volunteer opportunities and time slots are available, and we need all the help we can get! Volunteer registration opened June 3rd!

Fred Anderson Subaru Shares the Love!

Subaru Shares the Love!  

On Wednesday, May 27th, All Souls Staff and Board had the pleasure of visiting Fred Anderson Subaru for their ‘Share the Love’ check presentation. We are so excited to announce that All Souls Counseling Center was awarded $22,100 from the campaign! 

This amazing gift will help pay for 340 counseling sessions for individuals in the communities we serve. Thank you so much to Fred Anderson Subaru and their customers for making this gift possible. Partnerships like this allow us to continue to provide affordable and accessible mental health care in WNC.

Support ASCC and Vote!

It's that time of year! The Asheville Media Group's "Best Of" Campaign has begun!

Please vote (and vote often!) for All Souls Counseling Center to be chosen for the best "Therapist or Counseling Center" in the Mental Health Services section. The official voting period is Wednesday, June 17th, through Wednesday, July 1st. Click the link below to cast your vote!

Help celebrate and recognize our commitment to providing mental health services to WNC. Every vote counts!

Outreach: Burnsville "Be the Village" Event

On May 16th, the All Souls Summer Intern and Outreach Manager attended Be the Village, a Burnsville community event. It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday where individuals, families, and organizations came together to connect, support, and uplift one another towards a healthier, more resilient community. The event was a great opportunity to explore local services, build genuine connections, and help dismantle the stigma around mental health and substance use. Thank you to Partners Aligned Towards Health (PATH) and Freedom Life Ministries for putting together such an amazing event that allowed All Souls to share our services with individuals in the Burnsville area and beyond!

Community Meal: Beautiful Burnsville

On June 3rd, All Souls Staff hosted our 15th community meal at First Baptist Church in Burnsville, NC. It was an amazing turnout with around 40 participants who learned more about the work All Souls does. We loved the menu from Pig and Grits, and thank you to Pastor Tommy James for hosting us.

We love how Burnsville has welcomed us into its community, and we are excited to continue our work in Yancey County!

All Souls Counseling Center (ASCC) | 828-259-3369 | allsoulscounseling.org

ASCC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization (EIN: 56-2200862).

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