Community Corner highlights the work of Seattle Human Services’ community partners in their own words. Our goal is to gather stories and photos that illustrate their amazing work on behalf of the people of Seattle. This post was written by Ashley McGirt, Founder & CEO of The Therapy Fund Foundation.
What is the role your organization fulfills in your community?
The Therapy Fund Foundation works to eliminate barriers to healing with a special focus on Black communities who have been historically excluded from sound mental health services, while also advancing health equity for all.
How does your partnership with Seattle Human Services (HSD) assist you in that role?
The support from HSD has been instrumental in empowering the Therapy Fund Foundation to make a tangible impact in the lives of some of the most vulnerable populations in Washington. These are individuals who, without this funding, would not have access to culturally responsive care tailored to their unique needs and lived experiences.
Thanks to HSD’s partnership, we have been able to bridge the gap between marginalized communities and mental health resources, ensuring that healing and care are not luxuries but accessible rights. This funding has allowed us to offer free therapy, connect people with trained, culturally competent providers, and foster environments of hope and empowerment.
Change requires investment, and we are deeply grateful that HSD recognizes this truth and has chosen to invest in our mission. Together, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring that those who have been excluded from traditional systems of care can finally access the support they deserve.
What is your organization’s origin story?
The Therapy Fund Foundation was established in Washington state in May 2020 as a direct response to the mental health needs of the Black community related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate around police violence associated with the murder of George Floyd. Our work is a direct response to the mental health needs of the Black community related to bias in healthcare, the climate around police violence, and anti-Blackness. We connect people of color with culturally responsive services and clinicians who are trained and practice from an anti-oppressive lens. We provide free therapeutic services to those within the Black community who are in need and suffering from racial trauma, anxiety, depression, and other ailments due to systemic oppression, economic suffering, and intergenerational trauma that has not been addressed in the past. We provide healing, education, tuition, and mental health advocacy.
How has your organization grown or developed in recent years?
The Therapy Fund Foundation has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. We have made strategic strides to expand our reach and impact: by hiring dedicated staff, increasing the number of people we serve, expanding programs to address a wider range of mental health needs, and establishing a groundbreaking BIPOC-led behavioral health conference dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for communities of color.
Our growth represents a shared commitment to creating a future where mental health care is inclusive, accessible, and affirming for all. As we continue to expand, we remain deeply grateful to our supporters and partners for joining us on this transformative journey. Together, we are reshaping the narrative around mental health and creating lasting change.
Why is it important for HSD and City of Seattle taxpayers to invest in community-led work?
When HSD and City of Seattle taxpayers invest in community-led initiatives, they are empowering solutions that are deeply rooted in the lived experiences and needs of the people they aim to serve. This type of investment is not just about funding programs—it’s about fostering equity, building trust, and creating sustainable, transformative change.
HSD’s funding of the Therapy Fund Foundation has enabled us to provide free, culturally responsive mental health services to some of Seattle’s most vulnerable residents—services that would otherwise be inaccessible. This investment has ripple effects, improving mental health outcomes, reducing systemic barriers, and strengthening the overall well-being of the community.
Investing in community-led work is not just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do. It ensures that taxpayer dollars create equitable, impactful, and lasting change where it’s needed most.
How do your programs and services help to reduce the disparities experienced by people of color in our region?
The Therapy Fund Foundation is dedicated to addressing the systemic barriers that have long excluded communities of color from accessing equitable mental health care. Our programs and services are specifically designed to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for people of color living in our region. Our work ensures that everyone, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, has the opportunity to heal and thrive. Here’s how:
- Providing Free, Culturally Responsive Therapy
We connect individuals with therapists who share or understand their cultural background, creating a safe and affirming space for healing. By eliminating cost as a barrier, we ensure that mental health care is accessible to those who might otherwise be unable to afford it. - Removing Stigma Around Mental Health
Through campaigns like the Cycle Breaker initiative, we work to destigmatize mental illness in communities of color, encouraging open conversations and seeking help without fear of judgment. This cultural shift is essential to addressing disparities in mental health outcomes. - Focusing on Youth and Vulnerable Populations
Our targeted programs for youth, such as free therapy for teens in Seattle and partnerships with schools, address the unique challenges faced by young people of color. These efforts ensure early intervention and support, which are critical for long-term mental health. - Bridging the Telehealth Gap
Recognizing the barriers to accessing telehealth services, we’ve implemented strategies to make virtual care more inclusive and responsive to the needs of diverse populations. This approach ensures that location or lack of transportation doesn’t prevent individuals from receiving care. - Advocating for Systemic Change
We host the only BIPOC-led behavioral health conference in the region, bringing together experts and community leaders to share strategies for improving mental health outcomes for communities of color. This fosters innovation and collaboration to address systemic inequities. - Building Capacity to Serve More People
By expanding our programs and hiring culturally competent staff, we’ve been able to serve a growing number of individuals, ensuring that no one is left behind in their journey to healing. - Collaborating with Community Partners
Partnerships with organizations like the NAACP, Ahshay, The Silent Task Force, and local behavioral health providers amplify our reach and effectiveness. These collaborations help address mental health disparities at both the individual and systemic levels.
Tell us an example of how an HSD-funded program or service impacted one of your community members.
Through the generous funding provided by HSD, the Therapy Fund Foundation has been able to transform countless lives by providing access to culturally responsive mental health care. One story stands out as a testament to the power of this partnership.
James, a 22-year-old Black man (name changed for privacy), reached out to us after struggling with anxiety and depression. As the primary caretaker for his siblings, while juggling work and school, he felt overwhelmed and unsupported. Traditional therapy services he had tried in the past left him feeling misunderstood and disconnected, further deepening his sense of isolation.
Through our HSD-funded program, James was matched with a culturally competent therapist who shared his lived experience and understood the unique challenges faced by young Black men. For the first time, James felt seen, heard, and validated.
Over several months, James worked with his therapist to develop coping strategies, address past traumas, and build resilience. He learned to advocate for himself in both his personal and professional life, reducing the burden he carried alone.
With access to free therapy—something he couldn’t afford otherwise—James was able to focus on his mental health without the added stress of financial strain. Today, he reports feeling more confident and hopeful about his future and has even started mentoring other young men in his community who face similar struggles.
HSD’s funding didn’t just impact James—it also created a ripple effect in his family and community. His siblings now have a more present and emotionally grounded caregiver, and his efforts to mentor others are inspiring change on a broader scale.
This story is just one example of how HSD-funded programs are breaking barriers, fostering healing, and addressing disparities in communities of color. By investing in community-led initiatives like the Therapy Fund Foundation, HSD is helping to create meaningful and lasting change, one life at a time.
What motivates your staff or keeps you going?
Joy—I think a lot about other community organizations that paved the way for the work that we do. Organizations like the Black Panther Party understood this deeply. While they are often remembered for their bold stance against oppression, they also prioritized the well-being and joy of their members and the communities they served. Their work extended beyond protests and political organizing; it included programs like free breakfast for children, health clinics, and cultural celebrations. These acts not only provided material support but also cultivated hope, solidarity, and joy amidst struggles. Our Blackness can be separated from oppression, and it is through joy. Joy is what keeps us motivated and the deep desire to see everyone well, including ourselves.