At Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill, brunch has always been a reason to gather. This summer, the Scottsdale restaurant is giving guests another reason to pull up a chair through its Big Hearted Brunch, a seasonal give-back campaign benefiting Teen Lifeline, an Arizona nonprofit working to prevent teen suicide by building resiliency in youth and creating more supportive communities.
Every Saturday and Sunday from July through September, a portion of brunch sales at Ling & Louie’s will be donated directly to Teen Lifeline, giving guests a simple way to support Arizona teens while enjoying a weekend favorite.
“Teen Lifeline felt like the right fit because they believe a community that shows up for its kids can change outcomes,” says John Banquil, owner of Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill. “That really connects with us. We believe a restaurant that shows up for its community can make a difference, too. Arizona is our home. These are Arizona kids. It was an easy yes.”
Teen Lifeline provides free, confidential, and anonymous crisis support for teens throughout Arizona through its hotline and text line, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Trained teen peer counselors answer calls and texts from 3 to 9 p.m. daily under the supervision of master’s-level clinicians, with continued support available outside those hours through a partnership with Solari. Teens can call or text 602-248-8336, or call 520-327-8336 if they’re in Southern Arizona.
What makes Teen Lifeline especially powerful is its peer-to-peer model. When teens need help, they often turn to other teens first. Teen Lifeline built its work around that reality, training youth volunteers to support peers through challenges such as stress, family conflict, relationships, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.
“What stood out to me right away was how they operate,” Banquil says. “Teen Lifeline understands that a lot of teens are more likely to open up to someone their own age, so they built a system around that. Teen Lifeline trains teen volunteers to answer calls and texts from other teens who are going through really difficult moments. One in every three calls and texts to Teen Lifeline is from someone thinking about self-harm or suicide. Every one of those conversations is an opportunity to provide hope, support, and a compassionate connection when it’s needed most.”
“Support like this really matters because it helps us be there when teens reach out,” says Marina Shulman von Bismarck, Fund Development & Community Engagement at Teen Lifeline. “When someone comes in for brunch at Ling & Louie’s, they’re helping make sure a teen has someone to call, text, and talk to when things feel heavy. That kind of support may seem simple, but for a young person who needs to know someone is listening, it can mean everything.”
Since 1986, Teen Lifeline has connected Arizona teens to help and hope while expanding its work to include suicide prevention education, community outreach, and life skills development for teen volunteers. Its vision is a world where all youth feel connected and hopeful about their future.
Teen Lifeline’s services and programs include:
- Crisis Peer Hotline: Teen Lifeline offers free, confidential, and anonymous support by phone and text, with teen peer counselors available from 3 to 9 p.m. daily and crisis support available around the clock.
- Peer Counseling: Teen volunteers are trained to answer calls and texts from other teens, offering empathy, support, and connection during moments of crisis or distress.
- Suicide Prevention Education: Teen Lifeline provides free prevention trainings that help schools, families, and communities recognize warning signs, reduce risk, and build resiliency.
- Life Skills Development: Teen peer counselors complete intensive training that builds communication, decision-making, empathy, and support skills they can carry beyond the hotline.
- Community Outreach: Teen Lifeline works with schools, families, businesses, and community organizations to help the people in a teen’s life recognize risk and connect youth to support.
Guests participating in Big Hearted Brunch can enjoy Ling & Louie’s signature brunch menu while giving back, with offerings that include Korean Fried Chicken Benedict, Louie’s Hangover Fried Rice, Benedict Fries, and Buttermilk Pancakes topped with coconut cream and fresh fruit, alongside cocktails such as the Javatini and Bangkok Spritz.
Big Hearted Brunch at Ling & Louie’s
- When: Every Saturday and Sunday, July through September, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill, 9397 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 125, Scottsdale
- How it helps: A portion of all brunch sales will be donated to Teen Lifeline to support teen suicide prevention, peer counseling, and crisis services.
Known for bold flavors, a lively dining room, and a loyal Scottsdale following, Ling & Louie’s makes it easy for guests to give back without changing their weekend plans. This summer, brunch comes with a little more purpose, helping support Arizona teens one table at a time.
To view the brunch menu or plan a visit, go to lingandlouies.com. To learn more about Teen Lifeline, make a direct donation, or access support, visit teenlifeline.org.
