SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- Wednesday's announcement by Utah leaders was made by Tim Cook, Apple CEO, and Dwyane Wade, a former NBA All-Star.

Encircle, an organization that provides mental health services to LGBTQ youth, has exceeded its $8 million goal. Eight new homes will be built in Arizona, Idaho Nevada, Utah. This is aimed at providing safe spaces for teens and preventing suicide.

Cook said Wednesday that Encircle's mission was very personal to him because he sees himself in many of these young people. It's hard to feel less or different because of who or what you love. This is a feeling many LGBTQ people are familiar with.

The initial campaign was launched in February by donations from Utah Jazz owners Ryan Smith and Ashley Smith.

Wade, who joined Utah Jazz's ownership group in April shared his experiences as a parent to a transgender child. He also supported Encircle.

Wade stated, "I stand here proudly as the parent of a beautiful girl that is a part LGBT-plus community." I don't know all the answers. "I don't have all the answers, but I'm open to learning."

Encircle operates in Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah. Construction began on sites in Heber, Logan, Ogden and Las Vegas.

The group is located in Provo, Utah which also houses Brigham Young University. Jeffrey Holland, a leading leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently called on the church-owned university for its support of the faith's fundamental teachings. This includes its opposition to same-sex marriage.

The controversy that followed showed tensions between the LGBTQ community, the state, and their predominant faith.

According to church scholars, the Salt Lake City-based faith believed homosexuality could be "cured". Although homosexuality has been declared not a sin by the church, it is still opposed to intimacy and same-sex marriage.