Waymakers

04/14/2026

We’re so grateful for the incredible volunteers who show up not just to care for our spaces, but to truly connect with our teens in meaningful ways.

Recently, volunteers from Dutch Bros Coffee joined us at our Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, helping beautify the property and create a more welcoming space for the youth we serve. They also jumped into a hip-hop dance class with residents, led by instructors from Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and later participated in an improv class at our Tustin Youth Shelter.

These experiences were made possible through The Cassin Promise, education initiative in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education , bringing high-quality, no-cost arts programming to youth with limited access.

It was a powerful reminder that healing happens through connection through laughter, movement, creativity, and shared joy. During a group reflection, volunteers and youth spoke about stepping out of their comfort zones, the energy in the room, and how meaningful it felt to simply play. One volunteer shared, “I wonder if I’ll get to do something like this again—it was so fun.”

To our volunteers, thank you for showing up with heart. You help create spaces where teens feel seen, supported, and valued. If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d love to welcome you.

04/09/2026

Big things happen when young leaders take action 💙

Waymakers is proud to partner Behavioral Health Services team and Girl Scout Troop 6170 to unveil a powerful substance misuse prevention campaign now featured on bus shelters across Anaheim. As part of their Silver Award project, these incredible young women identified a real community need—raising awareness about the dangers of unused prescription medications—and turned it into meaningful, visible change.

This initiative is part of Waymakers’ Project PATH (Positive Action Toward Health), which empowers youth to lead meaningful prevention efforts through creativity, education, and community engagement.

This artwork not only educates the public on safe medication disposal, but also connects our community to resources like National Take Back Day Saturday April 25th and year-round drop-off locations through easy-to-scan QR codes.

You can spot their work on 20 bus shelters now through May 10—helping spark conversations, prevent harm, and protect our community.

Find a collection site near you: www.deatakeback.com or call 1-800-882-9539

This is what youth leadership looks like. This is prevention in action. 👏

04/08/2026

Thank you Santa Ana Police Department for making this video for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Supporting survivors and letting them know we are here for them 💙

04/07/2026

Our hearts are so full 🩷
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Thank you to every single guest who joined us at this year’s Chari-Tea. Because of your generosity and compassion, we raised more than ever before an incredible milestone that will directly support the individuals and families we serve every day.⁣
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We were deeply moved by our courageous speaker, whose honesty and strength left a lasting impact on everyone in the room. By sharing her story and educating us on how to recognize and protect our children from grooming, she gave us not only awareness—but purpose. Our emcee Jenny Dinnen brought warmth, joy, and heart to the afternoon, creating a space where connection and compassion could truly flourish.⁣
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To our amazing sponsors, dedicated Chari-Tea committee members, generous raffle donors, talented florist, beautiful Quarantine Trio, gifted silhouette artist Nancie, and our tireless staff and volunteers—thank you for bringing this day to life. And to the stunning Spring Tea Garden that set the scene for it all… it was perfect.⁣
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This event is more than a gathering; it’s a community coming together to stand for hope, healing, and prevention. Because of you, lives will be changed.

Our hearts are so full. ⁣
⁣
Thank you to every single guest who joined us at this year’s Chari-Tea. Because of your generosity and compassion, we raised more than ever before an incredible milestone that will directly support the individuals and families we serve every day.⁣
⁣
We were deeply moved by our courageous speaker, whose honesty and strength left a lasting impact on everyone in the room. By sharing her story and educating us on how to recognize and protect our children from grooming, she gave us not only awareness—but purpose. Our emcee Jenny Dinnen brought warmth, joy, and heart to the afternoon, creating a space where connection and compassion could truly flourish.⁣
⁣
To our amazing sponsors, dedicated Chari-Tea committee members, generous raffle donors, talented florist, beautiful Quarantine Trio, gifted silhouette artist Nancie, and our tireless staff and volunteers—thank you for bringing this day to life. And to the stunning Spring Tea Garden that set the scene for it all… it was perfect.⁣
⁣
This event is more than a gathering; it’s a community coming together to stand for hope, healing, and prevention. Because of you, lives will be changed.

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

Our hearts are so full ❤️
⁣
Thank you to every single guest who joined us at this year’s Chari-Tea. Because of your generosity and compassion, we raised more than ever before an incredible milestone that will directly support the individuals and families we serve every day.⁣
⁣
We were deeply moved by our courageous speaker, whose honesty and strength left a lasting impact on everyone in the room. By sharing her story and educating us on how to recognize and protect our children from grooming, she gave us not only awareness—but purpose. Our emcee Jenny Dinnen brought warmth, joy, and heart to the afternoon, creating a space where connection and compassion could truly flourish.⁣
⁣
To our amazing sponsors, dedicated Chari-Tea committee members, generous raffle donors, talented florist, beautiful Quarantine Trio, gifted silhouette artist Nancie, and our tireless staff and volunteers—thank you for bringing this day to life. And to the stunning Spring Tea Garden that set the scene for it all… it was perfect.⁣
⁣
This event is more than a gathering; it’s a community coming together to stand for hope, healing, and prevention. Because of you, lives will be changed.

04/02/2026

Members of the Waymakers team had the honor of attending the 2026 Crime Victims Ceremony hosted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

This year’s ceremony, “Driven to Despair: The Deadly Devastation of Driving Under the Influence,” was a powerful and sobering reminder that driving under the influence is not an accident—it is a choice. A choice that can destroy lives in an instant and leave a ripple effect of grief, trauma, and loss that never truly goes away.

The devastation caused by impaired driving is permanent. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a future that was forever changed.
At Waymakers, we walk beside survivors and the families of victims as they navigate unimaginable loss. We see firsthand the long-lasting impact—and the strength it takes to move forward.

We are incredibly proud of our Chief Program Officer, Lita Mercado, who spoke on behalf of Waymakers and reminded us that healing happens in community—when people show up, listen, believe, and stay.

Events like this underscore why education, prevention, and accountability matter. By raising awareness, making responsible choices, and holding individuals accountable, we can work together to prevent future tragedies.

Together, we remember those we’ve lost.
Together, we stand with those who carry their memory forward.

And together, we commit to a future where fewer lives are taken by preventable acts of violence.

04/01/2026

The time to end human trafficking is now. Recently, we attended a screening of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬—a film by The Jensen Project and presented locally by the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking Orange County, whose advisory board includes members of the Waymakers team and board. It’s an experience that will stay with us for a long time.⁣
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This powerful film pulls back the curtain on human trafficking through the voices of survivors and frontline professionals. It challenges the misconception of “choice,” revealing the realities of grooming, coercion, and abuse—often beginning at a young age. Most importantly, it reminds us that prevention must start long before exploitation becomes visible.⁣
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It also underscores a critical truth: services must meet people where they are. Our systems need to consider the full landscape—traffickers, buyers, victims, and even the companies whose properties or platforms facilitate exploitation. We must examine where we fall short in holding people accountable, and ensure law enforcement receives proper, survivor‑informed training as they are often the first point of contact for victims.⁣
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Hearing from leaders like Carey Clawson, Gabrielle Conroe, and Carissa Phelps—and seeing a room filled with community members, advocates, survivors, and changemakers—reinforced something essential: this work takes all of us.⁣
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Awareness leads to understanding.⁣
Understanding leads to prevention.⁣
And prevention changes lives.⁣
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Human trafficking isn’t a distant issue—it’s happening in our own communities. But so is the work to end it. Through education, advocacy, survivor support, and simply paying attention, each of us has a role to play.⁣
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Change happens through collaboration, and this work depends on community.⁣
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Let’s keep learning.⁣
Let’s keep showing up.⁣
Let’s be part of the solution. 💙⁣

03/26/2026

We can’t wait for Chari-Tea this Saturday!

This special afternoon is more than just a beautiful gathering, it’s a powerful reminder of what community can do. Because of our incredible sponsors, generous donors, and dedicated committee members, this event will directly support the individuals and families Waymakers serves every day.

Your support helps create safety, healing, and hope for those navigating crisis. The impact of this event will be felt far beyond the tea tables and into the lives of those who need it most.

We’re so grateful and can’t wait to share this meaningful day with all of you.

03/24/2026

🍀 Sláinte! 🍀

Our March Luncheon Guild gathering was full of good food, great company, and even better purpose. Hosted at Penny S home, we were treated to a delicious homemade feast (corned beef & cabbage, potatoes, carrots, soda bread, and desserts 😍). Our Director of Shelter Programs Carol Carlson had the chance to share more about Waymakers’ programs—including our Youth Shelters—and read a heartfelt thank-you letter from one of our interns about their experience with our incredible team.

✨ Want to make a difference while building meaningful connections? ✨

Join the Waymakers Luncheon Guild!
💙 Meet monthly with a group of passionate women
💙 Learn more about the impact we’re making in our community
💙 Be part of something truly meaningful in Orange County

Let’s inspire change—one meal at a time.

Interested in joining us for the next luncheon? Reach out for more details!