Frequently Asked Questions

The Guided Pathway Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to emotional intelligence tools and prevention based wellness resources across communities and organizations. Our mission is to place clinically aligned books and resources directly into the hands of individuals, families, students and professionals before emotional challenges deepen into crisis. We believe emotional intelligence is a fundamental life skill that every person deserves access to, regardless of income, background or circumstance.

Yes. The Guided Pathway Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit organization. Our Employer Identification Number is 41-4735497. Donations made to the foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.

The Guided Pathway Foundation is based in Southwest Florida. Our first active distribution initiative serves eight communities across the region including Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Babcock Ranch, Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples and Marco Island. Our Organizational Wellness Distribution Program serves businesses, schools, nonprofits and institutions nationwide. We are currently working on expanding distribution and tools across Florida, Colorado and Nevada.

Give Energy Make Smiles LLC is a licensed clinical practice and wellness product company that serves as the clinical partner behind the tools and resources distributed through The Guided Pathway Foundation’s programs. GEMS is led by Kayla Luu, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Florida and Arizona. The clinical frameworks, tools and products developed within GEMS directly inform what the foundation distributes, ensuring that every resource placed into a community or organization is grounded in real therapeutic practice, not generic wellness content.

The Guided Pathway Foundation is led by Shawn Deshield, who serves as President of the foundation and Chief Executive Officer of Give Energy Make Smiles LLC. His leadership bridges the clinical expertise of GEMS with the community reach mission of GPF.

The Southwest Florida Community Reach Program is a large scale book distribution initiative designed to place clinically aligned emotional intelligence resources directly into eight Southwest Florida communities. The program distributes books through community events, neighborhood access points, schools and local outreach efforts— reaching individuals, families and youth where they already live, gather and grow. The goal is to put practical emotional wellness tools into the hands of people who may never walk into a therapist's office but will engage with a resource placed in front of them.

The Organizational Wellness Distribution Program is a structured bulk distribution model for businesses, schools, nonprofits, healthcare organizations and other institutions that want to place emotional intelligence tools into the hands of the people they serve. Organizations purchase books in bulk and distribute them on site and as take home resources. The program operates across two lanes — on site organizational use and take home individual access, and is available to organizations nationwide.

The books distributed through The Guided Pathway Foundation’s programs are developed in partnership with Give Energy Make Smiles LLC and are shaped by clinically grounded emotional intelligence frameworks created by a licensed mental health professional. They are designed to be practical, accessible and engaging for a wide range of readers — from students and families to workplace teams and community members. Specific titles and product details are available in our store.

Yes. Every resource distributed through The Guided Pathway Foundation’s programs is developed from or aligned with clinical frameworks shaped by licensed therapists and evidence based mental wellness practice. We do not distribute generic self help or motivational content. The tools we place into communities and organizations are built by professionals who understand the clinical reality of emotional dysregulation and what it takes to address it at a foundational level.

There are several ways to get involved. You can donate to fund book distribution, purchase an organizational package through our store, volunteer your time or resources or reach out to explore a community partnership. If you are a local organization, school, business or community group in Southwest Florida and want to serve as a distribution access point, contact us at theguidedpathwayfoundation@gmail.com.

Each package in our store includes a set of clinically aligned emotional intelligence books intended for bulk distribution within an organization or community setting. Package sizes and pricing vary based on the level of distribution. Full details including what each package includes, who it is best suited for and how it can be used are listed on each individual product page in our store.

Our store packages are designed primarily for organizations, schools, businesses, nonprofits and community groups that want to distribute books at scale. However, individuals who want to support community distribution or place books in their own networks are welcome to purchase as well. If you are an individual looking for a single book for personal use, contact us directly and we can point you in the right direction.

After your purchase is completed you will receive an order confirmation. Our team will follow up with you regarding delivery logistics, distribution guidance and any support you need to get the books into the right hands. If you have specific distribution goals or need guidance on how to use the books most effectively within your organization, we are happy to help.

Distribution packages are fulfilled within 45 to 90 days of purchase. Because these are bulk orders coordinated for organizational and community distribution, fulfillment requires additional preparation and logistics. Our team will follow up with you after your order is confirmed to provide delivery details and timeline updates.

Yes. If your organization needs a volume or configuration not listed in the store, reach out to us at theguidedpathwayfoundation@gmail.com. We are open to discussing custom orders, multi cycle distribution agreements and larger volume pricing for organizations with significant reach or distribution capacity.

Eligibility for HSA or FSA use depends on the specific product and the guidelines of your benefits plan administrator. We recommend checking with your plan provider directly regarding whether emotional wellness resources qualify under your specific plan. If you need documentation to support a claim, contact us and we will provide what we can.

Yes. The Guided Pathway Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and your donation is tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law. You will receive an official donation receipt following your contribution. Our EIN is 41-4735497. Please retain your receipt for tax purposes.

Donations to the General Fund support the foundation's core operations including book purchasing, community distribution logistics, outreach efforts and program development across our Southwest Florida service areas. Every dollar is directed toward expanding access to emotional intelligence tools for individuals, families, schools and organizations. We are committed to keeping operational overhead lean so the majority of funds go directly toward distribution and programming.

We are open to in kind contributions that align with our mission and programs. If you have something specific in mind — whether it is printing resources, event space, transportation or other support — please contact us at theguidedpathwayfoundation@gmail.com to discuss whether it is a fit for our current needs.

Yes. If you would like to make a donation in honor or in memory of someone, please include their name in the notes field at checkout or send us an email after your donation is complete. We will acknowledge it in your official receipt and can send a notification to a family member or designee if you provide their contact information.

An official 501(c)(3) donation receipt will be sent to the email address associated with your donation following your contribution. If you do not receive it within a reasonable time or need a replacement copy, contact us at theguidedpathwayfoundation@gmail.com and we will send one promptly.