Volunteer Involvement

The work of the Gingerbread House would not be possible without the caring individuals that volunteer their time and talents to assist the Center in many different capacities. Some provide leadership through our Board of Directors (14 volunteer directors), some provide their professional skills to assist families with specific needs such as speech therapy for children, therapy dog program, and support group co-facilitation by graduate interns; yet others volunteer their time and compassion by sitting with families in the waiting area and lending a listening ear and a supportive hand. Others volunteer with specific annual projects such as the school supply drive, Christmas outreach, fall fundraiser, and other office/clerical projects. We welcome the opportunity to partner with new volunteers through the many facets of our volunteer program.

If you are interested in helping out at the Gingerbread House, please read our Volunteer Interest Letter and then fill out our Volunteer Application. Thank you for your support!

Year-Round Needs

Toy / Refreshment Drive 

The Gingerbread House provides a stuffed animal, toy, and book to each child following the initial forensic interview. The Gingerbread House also provides soft drinks, water, individually packaged fruit juices, and “Little Debbie”–type snacks for victims and their families. These items help to lift the spirits of young children who have experienced the trauma of sexual or severe physical abuse. 

Needed: 

• writing journals & diaries with locks
• small, inexpensive toys for boys and girls 4-10
• small gift items appropriate for pre-teens & teens
• soft drinks and bottled water
• individually-wrapped snacks
• NOTE:  Through the generosity of our donors, we are stocked with stuffed animals for the rest of the year!
  
  

Forensic Interview Rooms

Due to our case load, we use approximately 90 DVD-R’s per month (2 DVD-R’s per child). Sketch pads and washable markers are used during interviews for the family drawings. 

Needed:

• Standard grade DVD-R’s (new, unwrapped)
• 18 x 12” art sketch pads & color, washable markers (medium-thick point)
• black Sharpies (fine point)
• Play Dough
  
  

Play Therapy Rooms 

Needed:

• colored sand & sand art bottles
• tempera paints & medium size paintbrushes
• child-size and teen size vinyl aprons
• art easel drawing paper
• construction paper
• kids blunt point scissors
• stickers & other rewards for ages 2-14
• ink pens
• art supplies & craft kits
  
  

Family Advocacy Program

Needed:

• school supplies (especially supplies for elementary school grades; current list available by calling the Gingerbread House)
• school uniforms (especially khaki pants and shorts for both boys and girls)
  
  

Waiting Room

 Needed:

• Puzzles, coloring books, small toys, primary color storage containers for shelves
  
  

Office

 Continually needed:

• copy paper
• file folders
• file labels
• 9x12” gum & clasp sealed manila envelopes
• fine point black Sharpies
• blue roller ink pens
• rubber bands, paper clips, standard staples
• postage stamps
  
  

General

 Needed:

• paper towels
• paper plates, spoons, forks, knives

Persons interested in helping the Gingerbread House can also make financial donations.
The Gingerbread House is a community-based 501 (c)(3) organization.
Donations to the Gingerbread House are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Mission Statement

The Gingerbread House Bossier/Caddo Children's Advocacy Center is a non-profit organization which utilizes an interagency approach to the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child sexual abuse and severe physical abuse cases. The mission of the Gingerbread House is to lessen the trauma experienced by child abuse victims as allegations are investigated and to provide support for the child victim in any resulting proceedings within the criminal justice system.

By providing items on our Needs List, you are ultimately helping the over 500 children we serve each year at the Gingerbread House. Thank you!