“Every interaction I’ve had with Brenda has left me feeling cared about, appreciated and listened to. She has such a kind and lovely presence.”

— DD (they/them), LGBTQIA+ community member, unschooler

“Brenda is very open minded, empathetic and caring.”

— ST (she/her), spiritual community member, unschooler

“Brenda is very passionate with everything she takes on. She has empowered me to find my voice with compassion.”

— RMS (she/her), LGBTQIA+ community member, advocate/activist, group facilitator, spiritual community member, unschooler

“Brenda has been a shining light of love and wisdom in my family and my life for some time! She is always ready to listen, and she understands people deeply. She brings her rich experience and insight to every project with passion, and she connects honestly and easily with people. Working with Brenda is a joy!”

— JP (she/her), unschooler

“I have known Brenda LaPorte since Fall of 2001. We…shared homeschooling adventures and supported each other through parenting young ones mindfully and consciously.

Brenda, first and foremost, brings heart and spirit to every endeavor and relationships. [She] can both simultaneously hold the big picture as well as attend to even the most minute detail. You will never find a better stage manager or Director!”

— LZ (she/her), unschooler

“Brenda has a way of making people feel empowered, heard, respected and supported. She has mentored many young people, provided resources, and fills a need when she sees one. She's creative, inventive and approachable. Her belief in entrepreneurship as a career path has inspired many young people to explore self-employment, and her program is not only fun, but informative and a great springboard for starting your own business!”

— DB (she/her), business colleague, unschooler, LGBTQIA+ community member

“Brenda is not only my cousin, but a dear friend and trusted colleague. When I came out to my family as both queer and trans, Brenda was one of my few staunch supporters. And, she has been a deeply valued resource over the years as I turned to her for insight and advice on how to make both my ministry and my literary services accessible to the broadest and most diverse range of individuals in need of these services. Her compassion, clarity, and commitment to social justice are unwavering, and her skills as a teacher and mentor are unparalleled.”

— AA (he/him), business colleague, LGBTQIA+ community member, advocate/activist, spiritual community member

“I have had the great honor of having Brenda in my life for over 20 years and am immensely thankful to know her! She has always been a positive presence in my life, and her support during a very dark time was paramount to my ability not only to survive, but to thrive. Brenda's warm smile and genuine compassion for others is evident in everything she does; and that smile and compassion helped me through a time when I was ostracized for who I was. I lost relationships with friends and family, and I struggled with who I was versus who I was told I had to be. Having Brenda in my life to lift me up and show me that everything would be ok and that I was already the person I should be was so powerful and truly inspiring!”

— RM (she/her), LGBTQIA+ community member

“I met Brenda as a colleague at a community mental health center. Our clients absolutely loved how she made them feel - welcome, supported, and seen, and so did I. Brenda installed bird feeders near her window and made sure they were full every day, getting there even during weekends, vacations, and winter storms to make sure that creatures who got to rely on this food were taken care of. This is an example how Brenda relates to the world - caring, genuine, and true. I feel very fortunate to have met her.”

— NG (she/her), business colleage

“I have seen Brenda in her work with others and she is one of the kindest and most empathic people I have ever known. She brings a rare combination of authentic caring, wisdom, creativity and a depth of experience to all she does and is a joy to work with and to be around. Her positive impact on the lives of each one she works with will be felt for years to come. Brenda is in the business of making other's lives so much more, and making this world a much better place for all!”

— DH (she/her), business colleage