Our Board of Directors and leadership came together to help create the next chapter in our story.

Excitement and momentum are building at Gateway Center! On August 29, 2026, Gateway Center’s Board of Directors and Executive Director Mike Gonzalez gathered at our Pacific Grove campus for a five-hour Board retreat. Guided by an experienced nonprofit governance facilitator, the retreat created space for meaningful conversation, collaboration, and big-picture thinking about Gateway Center’s future. The day also focused on Board development—emphasizing governance best practices and strengthening the partnership between the Board and leadership.

At the heart of every conversation was one important question:

How can we continue building on Gateway Center’s strengths to create even greater opportunities for the adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities we serve?

The retreat marked an important first step in the strategic planning process that will help guide Gateway Center over the next three to five years.

Looking Ahead: A Shared Vision for Growth

As Board members and executive leadership reflected on where Gateway Center is today and where we want to go, a shared vision began to take shape. Several key aspirations emerged, centered on Board development, thoughtful growth, deeper community impact, and increased responsiveness to the evolving needs of those we serve.

These aspirations for Gateway Center include:

• Reaching More People: Exploring opportunities to extend Gateway Center’s reach to additional communities and geographic areas, including opportunities to expand services toward Salinas.
• Expanding Opportunities: Looking at innovative programs and ways to expand existing services so we can continue responding to the changing needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Growing Responsibly: Building for the future in a way that is sustainable, fiscally sound, and always grounded in Gateway Center’s mission.
• Strengthening Community Connections: Reconnecting with and deepening relationships with those who share our commitment to creating more inclusive communities, including current and future families, community partners, funders, local government agencies, school districts, state agencies, and regional organizations. This includes our close alliances with the San Andreas Regional Center, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and Central California Alliance for Health, with whom we collaborate on a daily basis.

A Strong Foundation for the Future

Growth begins with a strong foundation. During the retreat, the Board and leadership also identified several priorities that will help Gateway Center move forward with intention.

• Our People. Gateway Center’s staff are at the heart of our work. Supporting our workforce through recruitment, retention, professional development, and employee well-being will remain an important priority.
• Strong Governance. The Board is continuing to strengthen its role as a strategic partner to executive leadership, focusing on long-term vision, high-level strategy, and effective governance.
• Learning and Innovation. Gateway Center will continue evaluating service models, listening to community needs, and learning more about changes in the regulatory and funding environment. This work will help us identify opportunities and make informed decisions about the future.

Continuing the Momentum

A strategic plan doesn’t come together in a single retreat, but the time together laid the groundwork for Gateway Center’s Fiscal Year 2027 strategic planning process. The retreat created momentum and a clear commitment to moving forward together.

Whatever comes next, our focus remains the same: creating opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience dignity, independence, connection, belonging, and joy.

We’re grateful to our Board members for giving their time, sharing their experience, asking thoughtful questions, and bringing their commitment to this important work. And we’re grateful to the staff, families, community partners, donors, and supporters who help make Gateway Center’s work possible every day.

Interested in Helping Shape Gateway Center’s Future?