Aspen Hope Center to debut community fund initiative

The Aspen Times
April 29, 2026

The Aspen Hope Center (AHC) is honored to announce the Community Hope Fund, a new initiative dedicated to ensuring mental health care remains accessible to individuals who are uninsured, lack adequate behavioral health coverage, or face financial barriers to therapy.

Through this initiative, individuals seeking therapy may apply for financial assistance to aid in the cost of care. AHC will provide oversight, governance, and administration, assuring resources are distributed responsibly and reaching those most in need.

To promote transparency, equity, and community partnership, the effort will be guided by an Advisory Council composed of community members and mental health leaders external to AHC. This group will help develop the Community Hope Fund and support a sustainable model that meets our region's long-term mental health needs.

The Community Hope Fund is not designed to support Aspen Hope Center operations. Rather, this new community resource is solely focused on providing financial assistance to individuals seeking therapy.

This initiative perpetuates the legacy of the Mental Health Fund, originally established in 2011 by Joan and Lawrence Altman. With a mission to expand access to care, it was based at Aspen Community Foundation and supported by Aspen Strong’s annual event, Hike Hope Heal.

In 2021, stewardship transitioned to HeadQuarters (formerly Aspen Strong), which further expanded access to care for many in the community. Following the recent closure of HeadQuarters, a gap emerged in the access to local therapy.

AHC is honored to step forward and help restore and sustain this critical mission through a newly structured approach.

Contributions may be made through individual donations, business support, and partnerships with mental health leaders and community members who share a commitment to ensuring affordable access to those most in need.

Aspen Hope Center remains committed to expanding access to mental health care across our communities, from Parachute to Aspen. For more information or to contribute, please contact Aspen Hope Center at 970-924-0703.