Future Goals
In the coming year, Advocates will take meaningful steps toward re
alizing our 2030 vision: to become New England’s leading provider of high-quality, whole-person, and family-centered care. Guided by the voices of the people we support and rooted in equity, excellence, and impact, we will focus on the following goals to advance care and outcomes:
Strengthen Services to Better Meet Individual Needs
We will invest in our teams, systems, and infrastructure to enhance the quality, consistency, and accessibility of care—ensuring that every person we serve receives timely, compassionate, and coordinated support.
Harness Technology and Data to Improve Lives
By advancing our use of data and technology, we will create more personalized and responsive care experiences, empowering individuals and families to achieve their goals with greater ease and effectiveness.
Grow Our Reach to Support More People
Through new partnerships and expanded service capacity, we aim to bring vital care to more communities—moving toward our long-term goal of being the provider, employer, and partner of choice.
Fundraising Opportunities
Advocates Annual Gala:
Celebrating 50 Years
Break out your bell-bottoms! This year, we’re turning back the clock to the 1970s as we celebrate 50 years of Advocates. Join us on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Westin Waltham for a meaningful evening honoring five decades of caring partnerships, creative solutions, and better lives. Enjoy a welcoming night filled with dinner, exciting auction items, and inspiring stories that reflect our shared journey—past, present, and future. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or are new to the Advocates community, your presence makes this celebration even more special. Sponsors, donors, and auction contributions are deeply appreciated!
Visit www.Advocates.org/Celebrating50 for more information.
Giving Opportunities
Each year, Advocates serves more than 40,000 adults, children, and families facing challenges such as autism, brain injuries, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and substance use. We operate more than 170 group homes, ten mental health clinics, six family support centers, and dozens of community-based programs. No gift is too small—every donation, no matter the size, helps create meaningful change in the lives of those we serve. Your support helps ensure that no one is left behind.
Annual gifts are critical to sustaining our work and meeting urgent needs as they arise. We conduct winter and spring appeals, and online donations are gratefully accepted year-round.
Monthly giving is a powerful way to provide consistent, reliable support—offering steady, predictable funding that helps us plan ahead and respond quickly.
Leadership gifts fuel innovation, allowing us to pilot new programs, expand access to care, and develop new models of support. Capital gifts help us renovate and modernize our group homes, ensuring safe, accessible, and welcoming environments for the people we serve.
We also welcome in-kind donations of essential items such as toiletries, winter clothing, and household goods.
For more information, contact Tara McCabe, Senior Vice President of Advancement, at (774) 410-0359 or
TMcCabe@Advocates.org.
To make a donation, visit
www.Advocates.org/Donate or mail
your gift to:
Advocates
ATTN: Tara McCabe
1881 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01701
Volunteer Opportunities
Advocates offers a range of meaningful volunteer opportunities for individuals, groups, and businesses—including our signature volunteer program, The Friendship ProjectSM, Days of Service, donation drives, and support at community events. Volunteers play a vital role in our mission by helping foster inclusion, connection, and joy in the lives of the people we serve.
Businesses and community members or groups can donate time through tailored Days of Service, such as painting group homes, hosting seasonal celebrations, or assembling care packages. We also welcome volunteers to lead donation drives for essential items like winter coats, toiletries, or school supplies. Every contribution of time creates lasting impact.
The Friendship Project: Many individuals supported by Advocates spend most of their time with professional staff—who are essential, but not the same as a friend. The Friendship Project matches volunteers with people we support to form genuine, one-on-one friendships that reduce social isolation and enhance quality of life. Volunteers commit to connecting regularly (typically once or twice a month) for shared activities, conversations, or outings.
If you’re looking to brighten someone’s life—and your own—visit: www.Advocates.org/Volunteer.
Leadership
Diane Gould, LICSW President and CEO
Jessica Kemp, M.Ed. Board Chair
Kevin Gould, Vice Chair
Michael Sheridan, Treasurer
Christine Hubbard, Clerk
Dennis Millner-Hanley, Assistant Clerk
Board Members
Gary Bubly, MD
Marty Cohen
Alex Fidalgo
Eddy Frazier, CPA, MBA
Kay H. Hodge, Esq.
Charlene Jacobs, LMHC
Charlene McEntee
Jaya Pandey
Richard Rovner
Darren Tong
