The holiday season is fast approaching, but for many of the families we serve, the season can be a challenging time. Our clients often face complex hardships, which can make celebrating the holidays distressing and discouraging. At The Guidance Center, we want all children to have the help they need to be healthy and happy throughout the year. Adopt-A-Family is a unique program that supports and uplifts our families when the holidays are near. Community members and supporters generously participate in this program by symbolically adopting a family and purchasing presents for them. We match each donor with a family in need. After the match is complete, donors receive their ‘adopted’ family’s story and holiday wish list, which often makes shopping easier.
Gio Ferraro and the Groundwork Fitness team dropping off presents for families
Every gift the family receives, whether a needed household item or a longed for toy, has a lasting impact on their lives. “These gifts are often gifts that the families would usually be unable to purchase or receive. They offer the parents relief and bring excitement for the children,” shared Jayonna Cox, LMFT, Quality Assurance Specialist and Clinical Therapist at The Guidance Center.
After all the beautifully wrapped donated gifts are collected, our staff at The Guidance Center bring them to their clients. This is one of the best parts of the Adopt-A-Family program for Tiffany Dawson, Psy.D, Program Manager at our Compton clinic. “The kids’ faces literally light up at the sight [of all of the gifts] and often I have seen the parents brought to tears. This program is able to give them the holiday that they only can dream of and they are so grateful for it,” said Tiffany. We are so grateful for the kindness of community members, businesses and supporters who participate in this program and help us provide families with the help they need.
The program has officially launched and donors are welcome to sign up now! Last holiday season, a record-breaking 92 families were adopted totaling 384 children and caregivers. With your support, we can help even more families this year! We serve families of various sizes and greatly appreciate adoptions of any of the participating families.
Interested in participating in our Adopt-A-Family program? Get started today!
For more information, please see our list of frequently asked questions: Adopt-A-Family FAQ.
“Giving to those that don’t have is the ultimate joy.”
– Teresa Velarde-Page, LMFT, School Based Program Manager