The aspen fund

May 30th, 2025

With immense gratitude and hearts full of thanksgiving, it's time to announce that the Aspen Place Fund is now officially closed!

Through God's grace and the truly incredible generosity of our community, $220,215.35

 was raised to help our neighbors navigate an unexpected and challenging time. This wasn't just a number; it was a testament to the compassion that lives within Gardner.

Thanks to your faithful and unwavering support, we were blessed to successfully help 120 Aspen Place families secure permanent homes. This vital assistance covered crucial first month's rent, security deposits, and application fees—the immediate financial hurdles that so often stand between displacement and stability. Each dollar given directly contributed to ensuring these families had a safe, new place to lay their heads and begin rebuilding their lives, free from the burden of those initial, daunting costs. It's a profound honor to have walked alongside them, witnessing the power of community in action.

May 8th, 2025

The Aspen Place Fund came to be through a truly humbling display of community solidarity in Gardner. In early May 2025, our town faced a significant challenge when county officials had no choice but to condemn the Aspen Place Apartments. Hundreds of units were declared uninhabitable due to critical issues with the complex's infrastructure, forcing over a hundred and seventy families to evacuate their homes with just 48 hours' notice. Many of these families had limited incomes and no immediate alternative housing.

The suddenness and scale of the displacement created an overwhelming need. Families were not only left without shelter but also faced the daunting financial burden of securing new housing, including security deposits and first month's rent. Recognizing this profound hardship, The Hope Market wanted to help. We knew we couldn't stand idly by while our neighbors faced such uncertainty.

In response, our community rallied together with remarkable speed and generosity. It truly was a testament to what we can achieve when we work as one. The Aspen Place Fund was swiftly established as a direct channel for this outpouring of goodwill. This wasn't solely our effort; it was a collective endeavor. Organizations like Mission Southside, The Joy Closet, Restoration Church, Church of the Resurrection, Gardner Rotary, and Grace Baptist Church stepped up alongside countless churches, local businesses, and individual citizens. Their partnerships and the prayers and resources poured out by so many were absolutely vital.

This unified community response, guided by God's grace, allowed us to raise over $200,000. This tangible support became a beacon of hope, turning a moment of crisis into a powerful demonstration of strength of community. We are incredibly grateful for every hand that helped make this possible.