✨ Big things are already brewing for 2026!
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.
🎉 Now live on our website:
❤️Love Grows by Giving
🫖Chari-Tea
⛳ Swing for Kids Charity Golf Tournament
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!
Whether it's helping sheltered children get back on track, unifying troubled families, redirecting youthful offenders, resolving community conflict or empowering victims of crime. Waymakers will be there helping clear the path, providing guidance and resources so people can move beyond crisis to a place of strength and stability.
Here are some of the things Waymakers has been doing in Orange County:
- Sheltering Children (we operate four youth shelters in Orange County, providing respite care, therapy, education on coping and life skills).
- Supporting Crime Victims (emotional and emergency assistance, court support, restitution, 24-hr on scene response to violent and mass victimization).
- Human Trafficking ( we are the OC 24-hr response task force).
- OC ONLY Sexual Assault Hotline ( we are the OC response task force on the hotline and at the hospital).
- Educating Communities ( crime, gang, sexual assault, human trafficking, drugs and alcohol prevention and youth development programs).
#nonprofit #nonprofitorganization #helpingothers #healingthecommunity #prevention #education #awareness #victimservices #buildingstrongfamilies #buildingstrongcommunities #orangecounty #orangecountybusiness #waymakersoc #iamawaymaker
This week, the Waymakers @breathe_hb Tobacco Prevention team joined Information & Education Days (I&E Days) at the State Capitol, engaging with Legislative officials and education about the impact tobacco has on our communities and emerging nicotine prevention efforts underway across the state.
#bigbadtabacco #bigbadnicotine #voicesagainsttobacco #tobaccofreeoc #orangecounty
Mental health is a vital part of every survivor’s journey—and at Waymakers, it’s at the heart of the work we do every day.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we recognize that healing from trauma doesn’t end after a crisis moment. It’s ongoing, personal, and often complex. Through trauma-informed care, compassionate advocacy, safe shelter, counseling, prevention programs, and access to critical mental health resources, Waymakers supports survivors of violent crimes, and families and youth in crisis.
Our team walks alongside individuals and families not only during their most difficult moments, but throughout their healing process—offering support, stability, and hope every step of the way.
If you or someone you know needs support, you are not alone. Waymakers is here. 💙
Our voices have power! The Assembly heard and agrees with us - it’s time to fund crime victim services! California needs to fund core shelter, counseling, and other services that victims and survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking depend on. Thank you to @asmpilarschiavo for being our fearless champion, and thank you to @caspeakerrivas , @asmjessegabriel , and asmjamesramos for proposing funding for victim services in the coming year’s budget. @cagovernor , we urge you to do the right thing by joining the Assembly, Senate, and @cawomenscaucus and include $100 million in the May Revise. #cabudget
Waymakers Victim Assistance Program (VAP) Director Vanessa Reyna and VAP Grant Manager Grecia Condey joined advocates, survivors, and community partners from across California in Sacramento this week for Policy Advocacy Day.
Together, they met with legislators to advocate for the protection of critical VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding that supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and other violent crimes.
Every survivor deserves access to compassionate, life-saving support services. For the third consecutive year, advocates have gathered at the Capitol to remind leaders just how essential these programs are to communities across California.
💡 Important Facts About VOCA:
• VOCA funding comes from fines and fees on corporate crime — NOT taxpayer dollars.
• California is currently facing an estimated $100 million gap in victim services funding.
• VOCA-funded programs provide critical safety nets for survivors during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
While costs continue to rise for shelter operations, crisis hotlines, staffing, and survivor services, funding levels have remained stagnant for three years.
The ask is simple: protect and maintain funding for the essential programs survivors rely on every day.
At Waymakers, we remain committed to standing alongside survivors and advocating for the resources needed to ensure no one has to navigate trauma alone.
#Waymakers #VOCA #VictimAdvocacy #SupportSurvivors #policyadvocacy
This Mental Health Awareness Month, remember that mental health and tobacco use are often connected—and compassion can make a real difference.
When we focus on the person and not the diagnosis, we create more supportive conversations about mental health.
If you or someone you care about is ready to quit, free, confidential support is available at kickitca.org
--
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #SeeThePerson #MHAM2026 #HuntingtonBeach #BreatheHB #HealthyHomes #SmokeFreeHomes #TobaccoFree
Building a stronger community starts with showing up together!
We had a blast joining the Irvine Police Department for their recent Open House. It was an incredible day of connection, conversation, and community spirit.
💡 Did You Know?
Waymakers doesn’t just visit—we’re a permanent part of the team! Our Juvenile Diversion staff works directly out of the Irvine PD station.
We are there to support local youth who may have lost their way, giving them the tools to:
• Take accountability for their actions.
• Gain new perspectives on their future.
• Build a brighter, positive path forward.
🧡 Support & Services
Our Victim Assistance and Diversion teams loved meeting so many families, sharing resources, and discussing the support services available to every resident. It’s these partnerships that make a real, lasting impact.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello! We are so proud to stand alongside @irvinepolice and serve this wonderful community.
#orangecounty #irvine #juvenilediversion #supportouryouth
SPONSORSHIP ALERT🚨
We have a final few spots for Advocate Sponsors to join us on the course. These are our most interactive spots and they always sell out—grab yours before they’re gone!
📅 The Details
• When: May 21
• Where: Tustin Ranch Golf Club
Can’t make it to the tee? You can still champion the cause with high-visibility underwriting:
🛒 Golf Cart Sponsor – Reach every player.
🍹 Beverage Cart Sponsor – Be the most popular name on the course!
🎯 Hole-in-One Sponsor – Claim the most exciting spot of the day.
🚩 Tee Sign Sponsor – High-impact branding at every hole.
Help us create a path forward for kids in need. Don’t miss our biggest event of the year!
🔗 **Tap the link in our bio to secure your spot or sponsorship!**
#SwingForKids #OrangeCountyGolf #WaymakersOC #OCEvents #golftournament
Wearing denim today is more than a fashion choice—it’s a stand against victim-blaming and a visible promise to support survivors. There is no excuse, and there is never an invitation for assault.
As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, our team at Waymakers wants to remind our community that our commitment doesn’t end on April 30th. Advocacy has no expiration date.
Whether it’s through our 24/7 hotline, standing beside survivors at the hospital, or providing support through the complexities of the court system, we are here. We remain dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources across Orange County every single day of the year.
Ending the month strong, but the work continues.
Confidential support is available via our 24/7 hotline at 714-957-2737
#orangecounty #saam #saam2026 #endsexualviolence
We are incredibly grateful to Culture First Orange County for showing up with such heart and purpose in support of Waymakers.
Because of your time, energy, and compassion, 72 hygiene kits were thoughtfully assembled—each one paired with a handwritten note that will remind the youth who receive them that they are seen, valued, and not alone.
Your kindness goes far beyond meeting immediate needs. You’re helping create moments of connection, dignity, and hope for young people across our community.
Thank you for standing alongside us and for making such a meaningful impact. 💙
#community #orangecounty #youthshelter #communitysupport
👖 Why we’re wearing denim this Wednesday.
Did you know that a court ruling once overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing tight jeans? The court argued her clothing implied consent—a decision that sparked international outrage and birthed the Denim Day movement.
As we wrap up Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Waymakers team is wearing denim to send a loud and clear message: Clothing is never a caveat for consent.
Wearing denim today is more than a fashion choice—it’s a stand against victim-blaming and a visible promise to support survivors. There is no excuse, and there is never an invitation for assault.
📢 Join the Movement
You can stand with us from wherever you are! Here is how to get involved:
• Wear Denim: Put on your favorite jeans, jacket, or denim shirt this Wednesday.
• Share Your Support: Post a photo of your denim look and tag us!
• Start the Conversation: Use today as an opportunity to talk about consent and accountability with your friends and family.
Together, we can shift the culture from one of blame to one of support.
#DenimDay #SAAM2026 #Waymakers #SupportSurvivors #EndVictimBlaming
