GTC led by its Administrative and Financial Director, Mr. Victor Kawwas, with the participation of representatives of the Board of Directors headed by its Chairperson, Mrs. Vera Baboun, underwent a two-day strategic planning retreat at the Pyramids Restaurant in the outskirt of Beit Jala.

The group went through the organization's strengths and weaknesses and the opportunities and threats intertwined in the social, political and security situation of the region and their impact on the Guidance and Training Center and its ability to serve its beneficiaries. After a lot of brainstorming and thoughtful reflections, the group came up with the GTC mission statement which guides its vision for the future and medium-term plan.

This retreat was facilitated by Dr. Samir Baidoun and was the culmination of a series of workshops he had presented earlier. Dr. Samir Baidoun was appointed as consultant for the GTC Organizational Development Plan (ODP). Dr. Baidoun is the Senior Organizational Development Analyst at the Center for Continuing Education of Birzeit University and consultant for Bread for the World. The GTC ODP is a manifestation of the Center's desire for a professional organization that is equipped, trained and organized to provide the best mental health services possible within limited resources available. The ODP is funded in part by Bread for the World.