Our Mission
The mission of Ali's Hope Foundation is to inspire hope and improve the quality of life for adolescents and young adults living with mental health concerns through education, support and advocacy.
Education We promote awareness of mental health concerns through events and communication to those concerned with mental health, to provide hope for a brighter future and reduce the stigma related to mental illness.
Support We assist in funding mental health resources to promote access to treatment, sustainability of programs and stabilization for those in need.
Advocacy We will continue to work with other organizations to promote discussion and programs related to mental health treatment to save more lives, reach more people and achieve our mission.
Suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death for young Floridians ages 15-24 according to a 2019 study by the Florida Department of Children and Families. A CDC study from June 2021 documents a rise in adolescents suicide attempts during the pandemic and an alarming spike in the suicide rate amongst girls ages 12-17 during 2020 and 2021.
Our Children Need Our Help Now!
Who is Ali?
Alyson was our only child; we thought that we would have more, however the time was never right.
Alyson was extremely athletic, however her passion and refuge was her art. She could take a smashed old radiator and turn it into something beautiful; she had an eye for that.
Ali’s Hope Foundation was established in honor of Joseph and Helen Gallagher’s daughter, Alyson Grace, who suffered from a brain disorder called schizo-affective disorder, and took her own life on April 29, 2007.
Board Members
Abby Sanchez
Board Member, Seminole County Public Schools School Board
Bryan Buffalo
Senior Vice President, Nature's Table
Chief Sharon Bryan
Dept. of Youth Services, Seminole County Sheriff's Office
Dennis Uliano
Chief Executive Officer, Paradies Gifts
Denny Bowman
Retired
Francis Nation
Operating Partner, White Castle
Joe Gallagher
Founder, Ali's Hope Foundation / CEO, GCWM Advisors
Nancy Chapdelaine
Store Manager, Dillard's Altamonte Springs
Scott Tucker
Director of Hope & Hearing Center, AdventHealth
Shawn Molsberger
Senior Vice President, Orlando Health North Florida Region / President, Orlando Health Lake Mary Hospital
Susan Sherman
Loan Originator, Solutions Group Mortgage Firm
Tim Cook
Senior Vice President/Chief Mission Integration Officer, AdventHealth
Tim Smith
Executive Vice President, Wharton-Smith, Inc.
Toni Curlin
Director of Sales, Heathrow Country Club
Kevin Slezak
SVP Market Executive, Commercial Banking, Bank OZK
Jennifer Rankin
Director of Operations, KMDG, Inc
Tax Exempt Status
All donations and contributions to Ali’s Hope Foundation are deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Click here to view the letter granting us Federal income tax exempt status.