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Life at LifeWorks NW
Meet Echoe Reed, Peer Support Specialist
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Echoe supports youth, most of whom are transgender or questioning their gender.
“Most of my clients are at a critical point, transitioning from youth to adulthood. This stage provides a unique opportunity to help them gain valuable resources and develop essential life skills, setting them up for success as independent adults.”
Meet Echoe Reed (she/per), Peer Support Specialist, advocate for LGBTQ youth, and student of philosophy. Echoe works with youth out of the King location.
“My days are typically spent out in the community, meeting clients, assisting them in achieving life goals, or simply being a sympathetic ear they can confide in,” says Echoe.” I often use my own lived experience to guide them when appropriate, offering support from someone who genuinely understands what it is like to grow up queer.”
Tough teen years
Life in a small town in Texas was very tough for a gay, transgender teen.
“At 16, I was outed and began receiving death threats, forcing me to relocate to Austin,” Echoe explains.
Once there, she was able to find safety.
“I discovered an organization called Out Youth, which provided essential support for LGBTQ youth,” Echoe explains. “Out Youth was — and still is — a safe space for LGBT youth to feel supported and be around others like themselves. At that time (around 1999), peer support wasn’t really a thing, but they had mentors who helped kids come to terms with their sexuality in a very hostile state.”
Out Youth gave Echoe the tools to build a truly authentic life.
“Without their support, my life might have turned out very differently,” she says.
Life after loss
That support paved the way for a successful career in Information Technology. A series of personal losses – the deaths of four loved ones – led Echoe to reevaluate her life.
“Experiencing so much loss made me realize we only get one life to live. I decided to leave my position, move to Portland, and finally live true to myself, transitioning openly and dedicating my career to supporting the community rather than generating profits for large corporations,” per says.
Searching “best places in the U.S. to transition” online led to Portland.
“I was also craving that bohemian environment and community I had found when I lived in Austin,” Echoe says. “That journey eventually led me to LifeWorks NW.”
A good opportunity
The Peer Support Specialist role gave Echoe the chance to be the beacon of hope that Out Youth was for her.
“I interviewed with several organizations, but when LifeWorks NW offered me the opportunity to work directly with LGBT youth, giving back in the same meaningful way Out Youth had supported me, it was too good an opportunity to pass up,” Echoe says.
The biggest reward of that opportunity has been, “helping youth feel comfortable in their own skin and teaching them skills to better navigate the world as independent adults.”
Echoe is honored to be part of such a pivotal time.
“Most of my clients are at a critical point, transitioning from youth to adulthood. This stage provides a unique opportunity to help them gain valuable resources and develop essential life skills, setting them up for success as independent adults,” she says.
“With some, I focus heavily on finding housing and becoming self-sufficient. Based on the person, I might suggest sober living, intentional communities, HUD housing, or standard apartments,” says Echoe. “Others need help navigating systems like vocational rehab or finding resources such as Medicaid Flex Funds to help pay for essentials like rent or AC units.”
A true Portlander
Echoe enjoys traveling, being in nature, spending time with per partner, and exploring the city.
“However, most often during my off-hours, you'll find me at a coffee shop studying Western philosophy,” per says. “Emil Cioran is by far my favorite. He was a Romanian philosopher who moved to Paris and had such a dark but unique perspective on life.”
Echoe has per own unique perspective when working with teens navigating life as a member of the LGBTQ community. One of the most important messages: “You are not the only one — others have gone through what you’re experiencing right now.”
