Waymakers

Waymakers has been building safer communities for over 50 years, helping people move past conflict and crisis to strength and stability.

07/25/2025

Yesterday was one of those special moments that reminds us just how powerful community can be 💙.

Cary from Moustaches for Kids OC stopped by the Waymakers office to deliver the final check from this year’s growing season — a gift that will have a real and lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families we serve.

As if that wasn’t enough, he also brought two incredible bikes assembled during The Rad Dad Melee — ready to bring joy to two very deserving kids. 🚲💫

We are still beyond grateful for the incredible heart, humor, and hustle these gentlemen brought to raising awareness about Waymakers and the critical services we provide in Orange County.

This is what it looks like when a community shows up — with compassion, creativity, and commitment. Thank you, Mustaches for Kids, for believing in brighter futures.

07/23/2025

Waymakers’ GRIP Program is more than a school-based intervention—it’s a lifeline that helps youth envision a future beyond their immediate challenges. It shows the power of compassionate, structured, and individualized support in helping young people develop self-worth, make better decisions, and build a foundation for long-term success.

Alex’s story is a testament to what’s possible when we invest in prevention and believe in the potential of every young person—even the ones who seem the most difficult to reach.

07/21/2025

Celebrating freedom, resilience, and a future filled with hope 🌺

Waymakers and the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force
recently celebrated the graduation of 17 courageous survivors of human trafficking — a powerful milestone honoring their strength, determination, and the life-changing investment they’ve made in themselves.

Cheered on by their children, parents, advocates, mentors, volunteers, and survivor peers, these graduates beamed with pride through smiles, laughter, and tears of triumph.

They earned high school diplomas, pursued college or trade school, received scholarships, secured steady jobs, built new skills, supported law enforcement training, and many now dream of becoming victim advocates, nurses, or changemakers for others walking the road they once did 💙.

The 2025 Survivor Graduation was hosted at Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim, in collaboration with:
Waymakers
The Salvation Army Orange County
Soroptimist International of Huntington Beach
Richfield Community Church
Yorba Linda Women’s Club
Yorba Linda Rotary Club
Neighborhood Church
KHERUT Nonprofit

We are proud to walk alongside each of you. Your journey inspires change. Your resilience fuels hope. 💪

07/16/2025

Big Step Forward in the Fight Against Human Trafficking in CA

Yesterday, AB 379 — the Survivor Support and Demand Reduction Act — passed the Senate with a 33-2 vote and is now headed to Governor Newsom’s desk. If signed, it will go into effect Jan 1, 2026.

✅ Felony: Soliciting 16- and 17-year-olds for commercial s*x
✅ Misdemeanor: Loitering with intent to purchase s*x
✅ Diversion: First and second prostitution offenses for adults

This is the latest in a 20-year journey of historic legal progress to protect victims and hold traffickers and exploiters accountable in California and Orange County.

07/15/2025

💙 Volunteer Spotlight: Our SAVS Volunteer Advocates 💙⁣
⁣
At Waymakers, we are proud to operate Orange County’s only R**e Crisis Center and we couldn’t do it without the unwavering dedication of our Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocates.⁣
⁣
These compassionate individuals are on the front lines of healing supporting our staff and clients. Day or night, 24/7, they answer the call — literally. Whether it’s picking up the hotline to offer immediate emotional support and resources or responding to a hospital to sit beside a survivor during a SART exam, our volunteers show up with empathy, strength, and care.⁣
⁣
A SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) exam is a comprehensive medical exam to collect forensic evidence and provide medical attention. It can be a difficult and vulnerable moment in someone’s life but thanks to our staff and volunteers, survivors never have to face it alone.⁣
⁣
Our volunteer advocates commit to:⁣
🌟 Completing an intensive 48-hour training covering s*xual assault, crisis response, cultural competency, and more⁣
🌟 Providing non-judgmental, trauma-informed support⁣
🌟 Taking at least two on-call shifts per month⁣
🌟 Attending regular trainings to maintain their state certification⁣
⁣
They do all of this while juggling school, jobs, families, and their own lives — simply because they care.⁣
⁣
𝗧𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗦 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀:⁣
Thank you for being the calm in the chaos, the voice of reassurance, and the fierce support system our survivors deserve. You are the heart of this work, and we are endlessly grateful for all that you do.⁣

*xualassaultawareness

07/11/2025

Feel Good Friday!

A heartfelt thank you to the Angels Foundation and Community Initiative for donating tickets for our staff to enjoy a day at the ballpark!

It means so much to be recognized for the hard work we do in the community and this was such a thoughtful treat for our dedicated team and their families. 💙

From long days to late nights, our staff show up every day with compassion and purpose. A little fun in the sun was just what we needed. Thank you for supporting those who support others! ⚾️

07/10/2025

Congratulations to our incredible CEO, Ronnetta Johnson, on being nominated for the OC Executive Leadership Forum and Awards hosted by LA Times Studios!

This well deserved recognition honors her inspiring leadership and the positive impact she continues to make at Waymakers and throughout the greater Orange County community.

Thank you to LATimes Studios Business for spotlighting leaders like Ronnetta who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We’re proud to stand beside her and celebrate this exciting moment!

07/02/2025

Come Say Hi If You See Us in the Community!

Waymakers had a great time connecting with our neighbors at the Old Town Tustin Sunset Market last week! We loved sharing more about the impactful services we provide — including one that’s right here in Tustin.

Representing Waymakers at the event were Carol Carlson, Director of Shelter Programs, and Hether Benjamin, Chief Program Officer of Youth Development Programs. They were out sharing resources and building community connections to support local youth and families.

Did you know Waymakers operates a Youth Shelter in Tustin that just celebrated 9 years of service? This innovative program offers immediate shelter care as an alternative to hospitalization for teens experiencing mental health challenges or family conflict.

Open 24/7, the Tustin Youth Shelter is a safe haven for youth ages 11–17, providing emergency support, therapeutic care, and the structure needed to help them find stability and hope for the future.

Our program goals include:
🔆Safe shelter in a nurturing, home-like environment
🔆Emotional support through individual, group, and family counseling
🔆Development of problem-solving and life skills
🔆Promotion of healthy habits and coping strategies
🔆Support for academic achievement
🔆Family reunification whenever possible

If you see us out in the community, come say hello! We’d love to share more about how Waymakers is making a difference — and how you can, too. 💙

07/01/2025

☀️ Summer Safety Starts with Awareness

School’s out, but prevention doesn’t take a vacation.

As summer break begins, youth may have more free time, less supervision, and easy access to household products—making this an important time to raise awareness about inhalant misuse.

From spray paints to “whippets” (nitrous oxide) sold under names like Galaxy Gas or Whip-it, these substances can cause serious harm, including sudden death, brain damage, and heart failure. And yet, they’re often misperceived as harmless 🧠.

Waymakers’ new resource, Inhalants & Youth: What to Know, provides key facts, signs to look for, and what parents, caregivers, and school staff can do to protect youth—especially during the unstructured summer months.

👀 Know the signs.
📣 Talk to your kids.
🛑 Take action before harm is done.

Let’s keep our youth safe and supported this summer.

06/25/2025

A Heartfelt Thank You to Janice Cornwell & Chullee⁣
⁣
For over a decade, Janice Cornwell has been a beloved part of the Waymakers Huntington Beach Youth Shelter—bringing music, comfort, and the gentle presence of her therapy dog, Chullee.⁣
⁣
Janice first discovered the shelter while walking Chullee through the neighborhood. Curious and compassionate, she knocked on our door—and we’ve been lucky ever since. A retired high school teacher, she understands how much a young person can need connection during a difficult time.⁣
⁣
Each week, Janice and Chullee spent time with the kids—offering quiet support, genuine conversations, and unconditional love. Chullee had a special way of breaking through walls and bringing out smiles, comforting even the most guarded hearts.⁣
⁣
And when Chullee stayed home, Janice brought ukuleles—teaching the kids to play, express themselves, and build confidence through music. If a child fell in love with playing, she made sure they left with their own ukulele, case, and strap, so the music could go with them.⁣
⁣
Janice often speaks of the incredible youth she’s met, the caring staff, and the community of volunteers who’ve become like family. Her love for the shelter is evident—and it mirrors the love she and Chullee have shared with every child.⁣
⁣
Though Chullee has passed, her legacy lives on in the healing, joy, and hope she sparked. Her pawprints are forever part of our story.⁣
⁣
We are deeply grateful to Janice for her years of service, the music and kindness she’s brought, and for sharing Chullee’s beautiful spirit with us all. 💙🐾🎶⁣
⁣

Address

Irvine, CA

Website

http://waymakersoc.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Waymakers posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Waymakers:

Shortcuts

Our Story

In 1972, a University of California, Irvine professor, a few of his students and a Costa Mesa Police Department captain were among a small, dedicated group who recognized the need to provide diversion counseling for delinquent youth and their families. Their efforts created what would become the nonprofit Community Service Programs. Over its 45-year growth, CSP evolved to serve youth, adults and families living in Orange County involved or at-risk of involvement with the justice system by designing and implementing some of the most respected prevention and intervention programs in Southern California. Although the sheer size and scope of CSP’s growth eclipsed its humble beginnings and grew to include sheltering children, supporting victims, resolving conflicts and educating communities, the people of CSP never lost sight of the importance of counseling youth and families. Their vision always focused on helping people make their way, and in 2017, CSP adopted a name fitting its purpose, promise and potential: Waymakers.