Grantee Spotlight
allcove
Creating a Safe Space for Youth by Youth
Designed to be a safe space for youth by youth, allcove™ is an innovative network of integrated youth mental health centers that serve as a place for young people ages 12–25, throughout California including here in the Palo Alto community, to access a range of emotional, physical, and social support services—on their own terms.
In the face of a growing mental health crisis, allcove centers are providing critical care for youth. Since 2021, allcove Palo Alto has worked to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health for young people in the community, while providing access points to care that meet them where they are, allowing youth to come in for therapy without needing an appointment or a parent’s permission, or to just hang out. By lowering barriers to entry and providing a comfortable space for youth to share and process their emotions and lived experiences, they are ensuring that youth have the tools and the community around them they need to persist, grow, and learn to thrive.
At allcove, youth have the opportunity to engage in a range of services, like peer support groups to connect with other young people, education and employment services to help plan and explore options for life after high school, and short-term therapy to discuss and regulate their emotions. The goal is for young people to step into allcove and readily find accessible ways to have their needs met holistically, whether that’s hanging out at a fun event, being introduced to new resources and services, or connecting with peers to build a stronger community together.
“It's been really great to see how the center has evolved. It's knowing that, amongst the chaos and the ever-changing kind of environment, that allcove remains consistently safe. Being that grounding space for young people has been invaluable in this community, and something that we strive to do every single day, into the future,” shared Olga Lizama, allcove Palo Alto program manager.
Recently, allcove’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG) went to the California State Capitol in Sacramento to discuss mental health and share their experiences. Working to normalize talking about these issues and get more access to allcove centers across California, YAG is standing up to destigmatize talking about mental health.
“They're incredibly insightful,” says Olga, “they will let you know exactly what they need and what they want, but also the needs of their friends and their fellow classmates.”
As allcove youth continue to lead the way in destigmatizing speaking up about mental health issues, the Palo Alto community has banded together to support them in their efforts. Initiatives like Project Safety Net and Palo Alto Track Watch, and partnerships like Alum Rock Counseling Center’s acquisition of the allcove center in July 2026 have helped to carry this load and keep the center up and running. There is strength in numbers, and allcove Palo Alto and Alum Rock Counseling Center have learned to leverage partnerships and work collaboratively to champion youth mental health and wellness in their communities.
And now it’s our turn to make a difference. To help rally the community around youth mental health and wellbeing, the Palo Alto Community Fund (PACF) has stepped up as one of the first philanthropic organizations to partner with allcove Palo Alto on a challenge grant, with every dollar given to The Community Campaign to be matched by PACF. Youth mental health and wellbeing are worthy of our support and funding—join us in uplifting allcove and safeguarding this safe space for youth in our community.
Do you have a young person in your life who might benefit from allcove’s supportive network? If so, sharing information about allcove’s services and welcoming community can make all the difference. Learn more.
“The more you can normalize people talking about mental health issues— their worries, anxieties, different feelings other than being okay, the easier it will be to normalize mental health. The more we can normalize that, the sooner people can get help,” says David K. Mineta, Chief Executive Officer, Alum Rock Counseling Center.
