“I was bullied a lot as a kid. As I got older, I became angry, unhappy, and uncomfortable in my skin. I started to believe what kids said about me: that I was stupid, my opinions didn’t mater, I didn’t deserve to be happy or have anything good in my life. I started hanging out with bad kids and making bad decisions.
The decision to go to AYC altered the course of my life.
“I love what AYC does and I am so thankful for Aspen Youth Center. My stepson has visited AYC frequently over the last couple of years after moving to the valley. I don’t know what we would have done without Aspen Youth Center as we both work full-time.
“I started coming to AYC in 5th grade. We had just moved to Aspen and my mom told my sister and I there was a youth center. I was so nervous to go but when I walked in those doors it was my home away from home. That day, I met one of my best friends and after she showed me around we were inseparable. We would not have been friends if it weren’t for AYC.
“I have been involved with Aspen Youth Center as a board member since 2016. I was approached by a current board member who thought my combined love for this community and kids would make me a good fit. He was right.
• Wind Walkers
• KNDK
• Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers
• EcoFlight
• Aspen Art Museum
During the summer AYC is open from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. In addition to all of the programs described above, youth participate in rafting, horseback riding, trail clearing, and even flights with Eco Flight, a local nonprofit that takes kids on flights to show them our amazing local environment.
AYC is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive place where youth in grades 4 through 12 connect, learn, and grow during their out of school hours, for free.
