A Quiet Memory, A Lasting Impact

When Justin reflects on his teenage years, he’s transported to a time when understanding and acceptance for LGBTQ+ youth were far from the norm. He remembers classmates and friends who endured deep emotional pain in silence, unable to find spaces where they could safely be themselves. “I remember the quiet suffering of friends who had nowhere to turn, no safe space to be themselves, and no one telling them their lives mattered,” he shares.

There were no easily accessible hotlines. No inclusive community centers. Just confusion, isolation, and often fear. These experiences, though rooted in the past, remain vivid for Justin; etched in empathy and igniting a desire to ensure that today’s youth never have to suffer unseen and unheard.

Why Now? A Chance to Make the Difference He Once Needed

Justin is now a husband, a father of four, and a seasoned software engineer. But his role at Active Logic isn’t confined to lines of code; it’s intertwined with a broader mission to build bridges, foster understanding, and stand for those who are too often left behind.

Through Active Logic’s monthly Employee Charity Donation Program, Justin selected The Trevor Project to receive a $500 donation. The organization, which provides crisis support and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth, aligns perfectly with his values and memories.

“Supporting this organization isn’t just about donation—it’s about ensuring that today’s youth never have to navigate those same dark waters without a lighthouse to guide them home,” he says. For Justin it’s not simply about generosity, it’s about hope, healing, and human dignity.

(Justin with his wife and four children.)

Learning About The Trevor Project

Justin first came across The Trevor Project in 2020, during a personal dive into resources available for youth facing mental health challenges. In a world increasingly aware of mental health issues, one organization stood out.

“What immediately stood out was their focus on suicide prevention for vulnerable youth in crisis,” Justin explains. “The Trevor Project’s 24/7 crisis support struck me as essential work that transcends political viewpoints.”

What moved him was not just their services, but the urgency and neutrality with which they approached crisis support. In an increasingly polarized world, here was a group focused on one clear mission: saving lives, judgment-free.

Research That Resonates

Among the many aspects of The Trevor Project’s work, one particularly struck a chord with Justin: their groundbreaking research. Their studies dive deep into youth suicide risk factors, shedding light on some of the social and emotional influences often overlooked in public dialogue.

“The Trevor Project's research on youth suicide risk factors has been particularly eye-opening to me,” Justin shares. “Their study revealing how certain religious messaging can impact youth mental health validated experiences I had witnessed growing up.”

Yet what he admires most about their approach is its balance. “What’s compelling about their approach is that it’s not anti-religious but rather focused on understanding risk factors to save lives,” he says. “This research helps communities recognize when young people need additional support without requiring anyone to abandon their core beliefs.”

For Justin, The Trevor Project is not just a crisis response organization, it’s a bridge between research and real lives, offering insight and compassion in equal measure. “Providing crisis intervention is about basic human compassion—recognizing suffering and responding to it, regardless of its source or context.”

Supporting Beyond Words

While this month’s $500 donation marks a formal step in his journey with The Trevor Project, Justin’s support started long before. In his personal life, he’s consistently looked for ways to help others. Especially those navigating identity, mental health, or societal rejection.

“I've supported The Trevor Project through sharing information about their crisis services when I encounter people who might benefit from them,” he explains. “What draws me to their work is that at its core, it's about preventing suicide—something we can all agree on regardless of our different perspectives.”

He adds: “This workplace giving opportunity feels meaningful because it allows me to contribute to ensuring that young people in crisis have somewhere to turn.”

Building Community Beyond Tech

Outside of the office, Justin’s life is filled with what truly matters to him: family and community. He and his wife are raising their four children, striving to build an environment where empathy, dialogue, and shared values guide their actions.

Whether it’s mentoring, participating in local events, or simply listening with intention, Justin believes we all have a role in making our communities stronger and more compassionate. “I believe caring for others in their moments of desperation is a universal value that transcends political and religious differences,” he explains. “Being part of creating safe spaces where young people can receive help during crisis moments, without judgment or preconditions, aligns with my personal values about how we should treat one another as humans.”

About The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people under the age of 25. Founded in 1998, it offers 24/7 support through phone, chat, and text platforms ensuring that no young person feels alone in their darkest moments. In addition to its life-saving hotline and digital support services, The Trevor Project also engages in research, advocacy, education, and community outreach aimed at reducing suicide rates and creating affirming environments for LGBTQ+ youth.

Their mission is simple but powerful: to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people by offering support, understanding, and hope. With every donation, including Active Logic’s contribution this month, The Trevor Project can continue to expand its reach and deepen its impact—reminding every struggling youth that their life matters, and that they are never alone.

Why It Matters to All of Us

At its heart, Justin’s message is one of unity and shared responsibility. While identities, beliefs, and backgrounds may differ, the need for support during mental health crises is universal.

“Supporting suicide prevention doesn't require affirming every aspect of someone's identity—it simply requires recognizing our shared humanity and responsibility to care for one another,” he says.

By telling Justin’s story, we’re reminded that philanthropy isn’t always about grand gestures, it’s about meaningful ones. It’s about taking the weight of experience and using it to lift someone else’s burden.

Join the Journey

We’re honored to celebrate Justin Werner as this month’s Employee Philanthropy Spotlight recipient. His dedication to creating safe spaces and championing compassion represents the very best of Active Logic’s values.

To learn more about The Trevor Project and how you can support LGBTQ+ youth in crisis, visit thetrevorproject.org.