All donations of any amount to The Guidance Center always are deeply appreciated.  Please read below for more information on the three ways you can contribute to our organization.

Monetary Contributions

In-Kind Donations

Volunteer Opportunities

Monetary Contributions

Funding from government and other institutional sources do not provide for innovation, program enhancement, cutting-edge training, technology updates or facilities improvements.  In order to expand its programs and meet the needs of all families in the community, The Guidance Center relies heavily on private funding raised through an annual appeal, ticket sales and sponsorships from our annual gala, bequests, grants from foundations and corporate giving programs, and other individual gifts.  As a (501)(c)(3) organization, contributions are fully tax deductible. 

To make a donation by mail, please make out a check to "The Guidance Center" and send it to:

The Guidance Center, Inc.

Attn: Development Office 
5 Sacramento Street 
Cambridge, MA  02138

To make a donation using a credit card or marketable securities, please contact Katharine Urner, Director of Development, at 617.354.2275, ext. 136 or kurner at gcinc.org.

In-Kind Donations

Many local businesses and individuals donate products or services to The Guidance Center, such as computers, cameras, art supplies and toys.  Assistance with printing materials and technological support are also donated.  Listed below are some items on GCI's wish list:

• Any number of tickets to The Lion King for Head Start’s client families
• Decks of playing cards
• Decks of Uno cards
• Board games:  Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Connect Four, Yahtzee, Snail Race
• A doll house
• Nerf or Koosh basketball and hoop
• Koosh dart board
• Animal puppets
• LEGO products
• Clay
• Soccer and other playground balls
• New or gently used baby equipment
• New or gently used maternity clothes
• New infant car seats
• Breast pumps
• Lasinoh Breast Cream and other breast-feeding supplies
• Newborn diapers (sizes 1 and 2)
• Gift certificates to Babies R Us, Target, and local grocery stores
• Laptop computer

• Small items for infants (such as toys, spoons, onesies, etc.) for FIRSTLink “Welcome Baskets”

• How to be a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them by Laurie Krasny Brown

• When I Feel Angry by Cornelia Maude Spelman

• I Don't Want to Talk About It by Jeannie Franz Ransom

• My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss

• The Feelings Book and The Family Book by Todd Parr

• We Can Get Along: A Child's Book of Choices by Lauren Murphy Payne

To donate a product or service, contact Meredith Hamilton, Development Associate for Corporate and Foundation Relations/Communications, at (617) 354-2275, ext. 143 or mhamilton at gcinc.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Cambridge Youth Guidance Center's Companion Tutor (CT) Program matches adults with children who are in need of a mentor. As role models in therapeutic relationships, CTs spend 6-8 hours per week with their mentees engaged in activities such as exploring the neighborhood, helping with homework, attending sports events, or playing games. They receive support from clinical staff in individual sessions once a month, as well as in weekly group meetings.  For more information on becoming a Companion Tutor, contact Daniel Sprintzen at 617.354.2275.

GCI also is seeking volunteers for the following:  

Development Office:  Event volunteers are needed to help with our annual gala event at The Charles Hotel on Thursday, May 12, 2005. Volunteers can also join our Dinner Committee and help plan and publicize the event.

FIRSTLink Program: Volunteer once per week to help FIRSTLink with filing, office organization, mailings, outreach, etc.

Infant-Toddler Services: Spend three to four hours per month sorting children's clothing and toy donations in the Infant-Toddler Services' Parent Room.

For more information about these opportunities, please contact Meredith Hamilton at 617.354.2275, ext. 143 or mhamilton at gcinc.org.