The Counseling and Education Center, a local nonprofit, is inviting residents to an open house this Saturday, October 17, to celebrate the official opening of its second location in Orchard Mesa. The new office, located at 2702 B½ Road, marks a significant expansion of affordable mental health services in an area previously identified as lacking any providers. The event offers community members a chance to see the new facility and learn about the expanded care options available.
This expansion is expected to greatly increase access to mental healthcare for Grand Valley residents. The nonprofit offers affordable mental healthcare to individuals who are uninsured, as well as those with Medicaid and most private insurance plans. According to the organization’s website, its mission centers on the principle that “access to quality care should not depend on your income.” This commitment to accessible care is a key reason for the new Orchard Mesa location.
Hali Nurnberg, Executive Director of the Counseling and Education Center, highlighted the immediate benefits of the new facility. Nurnberg stated that since beginning to see clients in mid-August, the Orchard Mesa location has allowed the center to provide high-quality care in a welcoming environment to more neighbors. She expressed excitement about celebrating with supporters and welcoming the entire community inside the new space. The center began seeing clients at the B½ Road office in mid-August, ahead of the official celebration.
The decision to open a second location in Orchard Mesa came after the Counseling and Education Center identified a critical need in the area. According to reports from August, the organization discovered that Orchard Mesa lacked even one mental health provider. Nurnberg previously noted that bringing the nonprofit into Orchard Mesa would also help expand access in other nearby shortage areas, such as Whitewater, further broadening the reach of essential services.
The new building at 2702 B½ Road will not replace the nonprofit’s original office at 2708 Patterson Road. Instead, the added space will significantly boost the Counseling and Education Center’s overall patient capacity. With the second location, the organization expects to more than double its annual client capacity, growing from approximately 350 clients to nearly 800. This increase reflects a substantial commitment to addressing the mental health needs of the Grand Valley.
Community members are invited to visit the new Counseling and Education Center addition this Saturday, October 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event, as detailed in a press release, will include tours of the new building, opportunities to learn about the services the CEC provides, a food truck, and an inflatable “Bump & Jump” activity for children. The open house aims to demonstrate the center's commitment to quality care, reinforcing its mission.
Established 45 years ago, the Counseling and Education Center has a long history of serving the Grand Valley. The nonprofit began considering a second location in Orchard Mesa over four years ago, underscoring the long-term planning and dedication behind this expansion. The organization's continued growth reinforces its core belief that mental healthcare should be accessible to all residents, regardless of their financial situation, furthering its mission to support the community's well-being.
