Waymakers

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

12/25/2025

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Waymakers.

Thank you for being part of our community and for your continued support, compassion, and generosity. Because of you, hope and healing are possible for so many individuals and families we serve.

Please note that our physical Corporate Office will be closed on the following dates:
• Wednesday, December 24 – Friday, December 26, 2025
• Wednesday, December 31 – Friday, January 2, 2026

Emergency numbers are on the second slide 💙

May this season bring you peace, warmth, and joy—and may the new year be filled with kindness and connection. ✨

12/22/2025

✨ Big things are already brewing for 2026! ⁣
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It’s never too early to share what’s coming next at Waymakers. We have exciting events on the calendar for everyone—and every ticket and sponsorship helps support our vital services across Orange County.⁣
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🎉 Now live on our website:⁣
❤️Love Grows by Giving⁣
🫖Chari-Tea⁣
⛳ Swing for Kids Charity Golf Tournament⁣
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We hope you’ll join us for one (or more!) and be part of the impact. Stay tuned—2026 is shaping up to be a great year!

Click here for more info: https://waymakersoc.org/upcoming-events

12/19/2025

Congratulations to Ronnetta Johnson!

We are incredibly proud to share that our very own Ronnetta Johnson has been named one of the Orange County Register’s 125 Most Influential People of 2025. This prestigious recognition comes during a meaningful milestone—Ronnetta is celebrating 30 years of dedicated service to Waymakers.

Ronnetta has served as CEO since 2015 and has been part of the Waymakers family since 1995. With more than 35 years of nonprofit leadership experience, she has led transformative growth, expanded services, and strengthened Waymakers’ visibility and impact throughout Orange County. Known for her inclusive leadership, Ronnetta has championed initiatives like the “Ask Administration” program, led the organization’s rebrand in 2017, and played a vital role in the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force—while also advancing education and prevention efforts for local students.

Under her leadership, Waymakers continues to remain steadfast in its mission to create safe places for youth and families in crisis, even amid changing funding landscapes. As Ronnetta has shared, “Our mission has always been about creating safe places for youth to find stability and hope, and that will remain the same.”

Please join us in congratulating Ronnetta on this outstanding and well-deserved honor. Her influence, compassion, and leadership continue to shape lives and strengthen our community every day. 💙

12/18/2025

🎄💙 Grateful for Community Partners Who Make the Holidays Brighter 💙🎄

Waymakers is deeply thankful to Chris Winn, President of Sales and Service Inc. and board member of for his continued support of our mission and for helping create a truly special holiday experience for the youth we serve.

With Chris’s support, we were honored to be invited by I’Padrini di Antonellos to to their Christmas Breakfast with Santa. This joyful morning gave 24 Waymakers youth from our Diversion and GRIP programs the chance to enjoy delicious food, thoughtful gifts, and the magic of Santa, creating memories that will last well beyond the holiday season.

Because of generous community partners like these, the families we serve are able to experience connection, celebration, and genuine holiday cheer when it matters most.

We are incredibly grateful for businesses and community leaders who step up to support youth and families across Orange County. Together, we are strengthening lives and making the holidays brighter.

✨ Thank you for believing in our youth and the power of community. ✨

12/17/2025

✨ Grateful Hearts, Brighter Holidays ✨

We are incredibly thankful to share that this year’s Waymakers Adopt-A-Family holiday program was another meaningful success and it’s all because of the generosity of our community.

Each year, Waymakers Adopt-A-Family connects families who have been severely impacted by crime with compassionate sponsors who help bring hope and stability during the holiday season. Through gift cards for groceries, warm clothing, and essential needs, along with a few thoughtful gifts for children and festive family moments, sponsors help ensure that no family feels forgotten.

Thanks to this program, approximately 40 families receive critical financial support each year, many of whom would otherwise be unable to celebrate the holidays at all.

🌟 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors:

💙 Women of AT&T, who adopted 10 families this year under the leadership of Maria Ansalmar.
❄️ Experian, coordinated by board member Abril Turner
💙 Kitchell
❄️ Harvey & Company LLC, adopted families and generously donated extra gift cards, holiday treats, and additional funds
💙 EVALCORP
❄️ We are also deeply grateful to two current SAVS volunteers, a past volunteer, and a past SAVS advocate who stepped up to adopt families and spread holiday cheer.

Because of you, our sponsors, volunteers, and advocates, families felt supported, seen, and cared for during a time that can be especially difficult. Your generosity doesn’t just provide gifts; it restores hope.

❄️ Thank you for making the holidays brighter and for standing with families on their path to healing.

12/16/2025

🌟 Grateful for an Incredible Day of Golf Supporting Orange County Communities 🌟⁣
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Despite a misty start on the course, our Waymakers Day of Golf was filled with meaningful connections, generous support, and a shared commitment to making a difference in Orange County. Thank you to everyone who joined us, especially those who were flexible through the rescheduling due to rain. Your support truly means the world to us.⁣
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A special thank you to The Huntington Club for welcoming us back and for helping make this fundraiser possible once again. From longtime Waymakers supporters to new faces who joined us on the course, the day was a beautiful reminder of the strength of community.⁣
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🎉 Congratulations to Javier, winner of our 50/50 raffle, and heartfelt thanks to Board Member Dr. Jay Lee for stepping in to help fill the final spots on the board, your leadership and generosity made a big impact.⁣
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Every swing, every conversation, and every contribution helps Waymakers continue providing critical services to individuals, children, and families navigating crisis, including victim services, mental health support, and sheltering youth in need throughout Orange County.⁣
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𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁?⁣
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Follow Waymakers, attend an upcoming event, volunteer or consider making a donation to help us continue building safer, stronger communities.⁣
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Thank you for being an essential part of our mission. Together, we are bringing hope, healing, and lasting change.⁣
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12/05/2025

Join us this Sunday, December 7, for the Light a Light of Love Children’s Parade!⁣
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Celebrate the holiday season with Waymakers Huntington Beach Youth Shelter and thousands of community members as we shine a light on homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth.⁣
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Enjoy the magical moment when Main Street and the pier come alive with sparkling snowflakes donated by generous local businesses and community members. Be sure to visit the Giving Machine to support Waymakers and other local nonprofits making a real difference in Huntington Beach and Orange County.⁣
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Let’s come together to spread hope and light this holiday season!⁣

12/04/2025

Tustin Youth Shelter Holiday Wish List!

Help make the holidays brighter for local youth in crisis 🫶🏻

At Waymakers’ Tustin Youth Shelter, we provide a safe, supportive space for kids who need stability, care, and hope. This holiday season, you can make a real difference by donating items from our Holiday Wish List and Year-Round Needs.

From everyday essentials like shampoo, deodorant, socks, school supplies, to comfort items, art supplies, and gift cards, every donation helps create a home-like environment where youth can heal, feel seen, and thrive.

✨ How You Can Help
🛒 Browse the Wish List flyer
🎁 Donate new, unused items
📍 Drop off at the Tustin Youth Shelter
📩 Like to help? Contact Nicole Hernandez nhernandez@waymakersoc.org or 714-714-0780

Your generosity makes the holidays warmer and the future brighter for the young people we serve.

Thank you for supporting local youth. 💙

Address

440 Exchange, Suite 250
Irvine, CA
92602

Website

http://waymakersoc.org/

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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.