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Huntington Beach Girl Scouts Bring Holiday Joy Through Operation Waymakers
Many in Orange County may have more wants than needs, but Girl Scouts in one Huntington Beach troop are learning that’s not always the case.
The girls of Troop 7370 gathered Tuesday afternoon at Huntington Beach Church to construct 100 gift boxes, headed to children at the nearby Waymakers Huntington Beach Youth Shelter.
Each girl in the 23-member troop wore a Santa Claus hat as she assembled the gifts, with girls from other troops also helping out during Operation Waymakers.. Read More
Light a Light of Love Returns to Huntington Beach
The Waymakers Light a Light of Love parade and snowflake-lighting ceremony has become a time-honored tradition in Huntington Beach.
The 28th annual event returns downtown Sunday, with events including a children’s parade at 4 p.m. and entertainment at Pier Plaza and photo opportunities with Santa Claus at 5. Read More
$80,000 Donation to Waymakers Announced at Tennis Serves Others' Wimbledon Garden Party
Waymakers, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering safer communities by guiding individuals through conflict and crisis to strength and stability, is thrilled to announce a historic donation from Tennis Serves Others (TSO). The $80,000 grant, one of the largest in TSO’s history, was unveiled at TSO’s recent Wimbledon Garden Party and Check Distribution event. The celebration was held at. Read more
Waymakers Welcomes Jonathan Judge to its Board of Directors
Waymakers, a nonprofit organization that has provided counseling, education, shelter, conflict resolution and support services to struggling Orange County children and families for more than 50 years, has appointed Jonathan Judge to its board of directors. Judge, head of the Private Labor and Employment Group’s Advice and Counsel Team at Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, brings extensive experience representing employers in both private and public sectors and a deep understanding of labor and employment law. Read More
Waymakers Welcomes Suzy Elliott to its Board of Directors
Waymakers, a nonprofit organization that has provided counseling, education, shelter, conflict resolution and support services to struggling Orange County children and families for more than 50 years, has appointed Suzy Elliott of Elliott Leadership Coaching to its board of directors. With an extensive coaching background, Suzy Elliott will further advance Waymakers’ mission in empowering youth and families toward a more resilient future. Read More
Vanguard University hosts human trafficking awareness conference
Martha Trujillo has endured a lot of scary stuff in her 29 years on this planet. Growing up in Orange County, raised by a single mom, Trujillo said she was jumped into a gang at the age of 10. She later went into foster care and became a victim of sex trafficking, she said, after she was expelled from her school district in eighth grade for bringing drugs on campus and partaking in those drugs. By the age of 15 she was introduced to “a very dark life,” she said. Read More
Safeguarding Our Youth; Combatting Human Trafficking in the Classroom
Imagine a predator lurking in plain sight, unseen in the virtual playgrounds where our youth spend much of their time. The predators use a calculated approach to lure and groom youth, making them believe they can be friends. This approach is one of the common ways our youth find themselves victims of sex trafficking—a grim reality where young lives are bartered behind screens, sometimes right inside our homes. Read More
Status Update: On Board
Waymakers has announced the appointment of three new board members. Laura Chavez, Daniel Garcia and Francisco Barajas will bring invaluable nonprofit, technological and community equity to the organization. Read more
Awareness is up, but human trafficking continues to plague Orange County
New OC Human Trafficking Task Force report shows progress, challenges in stemming tide of involuntary.... Read more
Project Hangs Sexual Violence Out to Dry
Colorful T-shirts hanging on a clothesline in the main quad at Fullerton College looked festive from afar, but as students got closer, they were met with a somber message.
“You made me afraid to go to school at age 13,” one blue T-shirt read.
“You were my teacher. That did not give you the right,” a black T-shirt stated.
The T-shirts are part of an impactful installation hosted by the nonprofit Waymakers for sexual assault awareness month, recognized in April. Read more
Search of unclaimed money finds $2,000, helps man give back to Laguna Beach youth shelter
Kevin Doar doesn’t like to think about the what-ifs of his youth.
He remembers a decent life with his adoptive parents before a “trajectory downhill ended their marriage in divorce,” he said. By age 16 he was living in an RV behind an Anaheim pool repair shop, just a few miles from Disneyland. He recalled living in “total squalor…and starving.” He tried to escape his unhappy family life by spending hours at the Central Library, “reading books, or newspapers, or magazines that were free,” and going home only to sleep. Read more
Program serving as alternative to kids’ incarceration for minor crimes loses funding in 6 O.C. cities
Grant funding for a program that serves as an alternative to incarceration for young first-time offenders of minor crimes in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Westminster, Orange, Tustin and La Habra ends Feb. 28.
A Youth Reinvestment Grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections had allowed the cities to contract with the nonprofit Waymakers for the past 3½ years. The organization runs initiatives to benefit victims of crimes and other campaigns in addition to youth diversion programs. Read more
Waymakers celebrates 50 years of helping those in crisis with reception
Waymakers, the Orange County nonprofit that helps people in crisis and conflict, celebrated its 50th anniversary with a reception on Thursday.
Held at the University Club at UC Irvine, it provided a couple of full-circle moments.
UC Irvine School of Social Ecology Dean Jon Gould remarked that it was appropriate the event was held on campus, considering Waymakers began Read more
Our Deadly Walls
Waymakers is working with Garden Grove residents to protect families from second and third-hand smoke exposure. Read more on how to protect your family and home from second and third-hand smoke exposure….Read More
Congressional task force on human trafficking launches in Southern California
Ten OC experts gathered March 21 in Placentia for the inaugural meeting of the Human Trafficking Congressional Task Force….Read More
Waymakers awarded $1 million grant to empower youth against substance abuse
Grant Funding Allows Orange County Nonprofit to Partner with Anaheim Union High School District on Youth Leadership Development Program…Read More
St. Mary’s donates comforting clothing to support Waymakers Teen Shelter
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Laguna Beach ended its year of giving with a clothing drive to provide warm and comforting clothes to the teens at the Waymakers Shelter just in time for Christmas. The church gathered more than 70 items to warm teens from head to toe…Read more
Human Trafficking Task Force training in Irvine draws law enforcement officers from across state
An Orange County-based human trafficking task force’s intensive training course in Irvine last week drew police officers and other officials from across California intent on learning about the group’s years-long mission: Refocusing law enforcement culture to meet the needs of victims and be sensitive to the emotional trauma they’ve experienced….Read more
Parisa Fishback of Fishback Law Corporation on Mission to End Modern Slavery
By day, Parisa Fishback is the founder and principal attorney of Newport Beach’s Fishback Law Corporation (fishbacklawgroup.com), where she specializes in bankruptcy law. But outside of the office, she’s combining two of her other passions—luxury cars and her goal to end human trafficking…Read more
On Board
Waymakers, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit, has added four new members to its board, including Paul Fleck, Robert Handy, GK Kannan and Dr. Jay Lee.
Sept. 10 is Suicide Prevention Day. It is time to raise awareness about mental health and the importance of reaching out for help, without stigma or shame, for ourselves or our loved ones. During the worst waves of the COVID_19 pandemic, when business and school closures caused unemployment, financial strain and isolation, millions experienced anxiety and depression for the first time; while for others, those conditions worsened. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that between April and June 2020, more than 40 percent of adults reported feeling anxious or depressed, an increase from the same period in 201. Read more
Shelter from the Storm | Waymakers addresses teen mental health during times of crisis
Waymakers Huntington Beach Youth Shelter celebrates 15 years
During May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, the Newport Mesa Collective Impact group, overseen by Waymakers, worked in partnership with the Newport Mesa Unified School District to hold the first-ever Mental Health Awareness Month Art Contest. Read more and see the winners HERE
Waymakers O.C. works in Huntington Beach to reduce impaired driving
Evan Rachel Wood and nine other women have accused shock rocker Marilyn Manson of abuse, bringing attention to a topic that affects all ages, races and genders — sexual grooming. Michelle Heater, Director for the Victims Assistance Programs at Waymakers in Orange County, brings her expertise and offers advice on what you can do if you suspect a loved one may be a victim.
Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise, but there are things you can do, and warning signs you can look for to keep others safe from predators. Experts from Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force join Michaela Pereira on Good Day LA.
We are thrilled to announce that we’ve been nominated as part of this year’s Best of HB Awards presented by the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce! Among so many great individuals and businesses, we are honored to be part of such an amazing community. Now, we need YOUR HELP as voting for finalists has begun! You can vote here.
Waymakers Awarded $10,000 Grant From Employees Community Fund of Boeing California
Waymakers Raises $11,500 During Inaugural WAY2GO!OC Virtual 5K
Commentary: Why has human trafficking worsened during the pandemic.
Waymakers thanks community for donations to local youth shelters.
Waymakers has debuted a new public awareness campaign, #BETTERWAY, focused on combating the severity and rise in family violence Read More…
Waymakers staff partner with students from Save Our Youth in Costa Mesa to spread substance use prevention messages Read more…
Newport Mesa Unified School District Partners with Nonprofit to Curb Student Drug Use.
How to talk to kids about trafficking.
Waymakers helps ensure Irvine youths don’t slip through the system cracks.
Giant snowflakes come aglow for the holidays at Huntington Beach pier.
Holidays come wrapped in brown at Laguna Beach Youth Shelter courtesy of UPS volunteers.
Angels, first baseman Albert Pujols and singer Ms. Lauren Hill partner to Strike Out Slavery.
How do we navigate life in mass-violence-era America?
Waymakers offers services to those who were present, or have a loved one who was present, at the locations where stabbing and other violent acts took place during the tragic events that took place on August 7, 2019 in Garden Grove and Santa Ana. Read more…
Paella with a Purpose: Chef Uses Food to Connect with Youths in Huntington Beach.
Waymakers’ Huntington Beach Youth Shelter Celebrates Thirteen Years of Providing Youth with a Second Chance Through Shelter Services. Read more…
A Place to Call Home. Laguna Beach Magazine
‘The greatest gift’: Waymakers Laguna Beach Youth Shelter celebrates 40 years
https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-waymakers-anniversary-20190318-story.html?fbclid=IwAR38-NdJd8VqKlK7lhi3z5RGQMLAcbPBI4jzaAmuhFG-ZViaWr_N3Of9ZBA
Teen suicides have spiked, especially in Orange County, but new habits can save lives
https://www.ocregister.com/2019/03/18/teen-suicides-have-spiked-particularly-in-orange-county-but-new-habits-can-save-lives/
Let’s look up: Responding to Orange County’s latest teen suicide tragedy
https://www.ocregister.com/2019/02/21/for-human-trafficking-victims-more-help-from-the-community-beyond-law-enforcement-orange-county-report-says/
“Love Grows by Giving” raises major funds for at-risk youth
https://www.ocregister.com/2019/03/06/love-grows-by-giving-raises-major-funds-for-at-risk-youth/
Human Trafficking Victims, more help from…
https://www.ocregister.com/2019/02/21/for-human-trafficking-victims-more-help-from-the-community-beyond-law-enforcement-orange-county-report-says/
Carol Carlson: Opening the doors at Laguna’s youth shelter.
http://stunewslaguna.com
Waymakers offers services to those affected by the Thousand Oaks Shooting. Click here for information on victim services
Talking Vaping – What are the dangers of vaping and how do I discuss these dangers with my teen?
WM Vaping Parenting OC print Nov_2018
Digital predators, teen victims, Part 2: After sexual assault, a life is shattered..
https://www.ocregister.com/2018/10/14/digital-predators-teen-victims-after-sexual-assault-a-life-is-shattered/
UPS volunteers transform Waymakers Youth Shelter in Laguna Beach into a holiday-ready house.
http://stunewslaguna.com/front-page-ii/27219-ups-volunteers-transform-112117
Anaheim PD Project Turkey Leg provides Thanksgiving dinner to 90 families
http://behindthebadgeoc.com/cities/apd/anaheim-pd-project-turkey-leg-provides-thanksgiving-dinner-90-families/
Competing ladder-to-ladder, UPS teams wrap Tustin, Laguna Beach youth shelters in holiday finery
http://www.ocregister.com/2017/11/17/competing-ladder-to-ladder-ups-teams-wrap-tustin-laguna-beach-youth-shelters-in-holiday-finery/
Homelessness in OC. Just Another Melodic Monday.
http://parentingoc.com/2017/11/homelessness-in-oc/
Harborside Restaurant hosts luncheon guild
http://www.stunewsnewport.com/index.php/archives/front-page-archive/2240-harborside-restaurant-110217
Facts About Underaged Drinking.
http://parentingoc.com/2017/10/facts-about-underaged-drinking/
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