Waymakers

09/04/2026

Awareness can save lives. Action can change them.

Human trafficking can happen in any community—and knowing what to look for is an important part of prevention and intervention.

Our custom training solutions are designed to meet the unique needs of your organization, team, or community. Whether you’re looking to build awareness, strengthen identification and response skills, or equip your staff to recognize the signs of trafficking, we can create training tailored to your needs.

Ready to equip your team with the knowledge to recognize, respond, and make a difference?

📩 Contact us at [email protected] to learn more about custom trainings on topics like human trafficking.

09/03/2026

⛳ ONE GREAT DAY. ONE EXCLUSIVE COURSE. A WHOLE LOT OF IMPACT.
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Get ready to tee up for Waymakers at the stunning Huntington Club on Monday, December 7! ⁣
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This isn’t just another day on the green. It’s your chance to experience one of Orange County’s exclusive private courses while helping create hope, healing, and opportunity for children, families, survivors, and individuals throughout our community.⁣
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Whether you’re gathering your friends, entertaining clients, rewarding your team, or simply looking for an unforgettable day of golf, Waymakers Day of Golf has something for you:⁣
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🏌️‍♀️ Play a premier private course few get to experience⁣
☀️ Enjoy a memorable day with friends, colleagues & community leaders⁣
🍽️ Savor delicious food, drinks & post-game celebrations⁣
💙 Make a difference through every swing⁣
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Your participation helps support Waymakers programs providing emergency youth shelter, counseling, victim services, violence prevention, and other critical support throughout Orange County.⁣
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Spots are limited and this is one day on the course you won’t want to miss. Reserve your spot today through our website event page, linked in bio.

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/dayofgolfatthehuntingtonclub/

09/02/2026

📚🎒 A fun and supportive start to the school year!⁣
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On August 19, the Waymakers Gang Prevention/Youth Development Program hosted its annual Back-to-School Bash for youth and parents from the Oak View Community in Huntington Beach.⁣
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Families came together for an afternoon of learning, connection and fun. Youth participated in activities focused on pro-social skills, healthy sleep habits, and reducing stress, while parents took part in a workshop to help prepare their children for the new school year.⁣
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Thanks to the generosity of Harvey & Company, LLC, approximately 45 youth received new backpacks, and Chick-fil-A helped bring everyone together with a delicious meal. 💙⁣
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We’re so grateful to our community partners for helping create a positive and encouraging start to the school year for Oak View families!⁣

08/27/2026

Congratulations to University of California, Irvine alum Berenice Serna ('18, BA psychological science) for recently returning to Orange County and Waymakers in Irvine.

Berenice, who as an undergrad served as a research assistant for Professor Joanne Zinger, joined Waymakers as a Victim Advocate at Harbor Justice Center after graduating from UCI. Her husband's new job led Berenice's family to relocate in Northern California, where she worked as a caseworker with the state's Department of Health and Human Services.

The family recently moved back to Orange County and, while looking at the Waymakers' website, Berenice saw an opening for a Human Trafficking Victim Advocate. She applied, was rehired and has now returned to the nonprofit that helps youth, families and crime victims in crisis.

08/26/2026

Some things never go out of style—compassion, courage and showing up for one another.

At Waymakers, we think creating safer communities and helping people move beyond crisis is always kinda chic.

What would you add to our list?

08/25/2026

Our community showed up 👏🏼

At Waymakers, we have the privilege of supporting survivors through many different chapters of their lives. Sometimes that means being there in a moment of crisis. Other times, it means walking alongside them as they continue healing, pursuing their goals and building a future for themselves and their families.

Recently, one of the survivors we serve entered a beautiful new chapter: motherhood.

As she adjusts to life with a new baby while continuing to work toward her goals, our team learned that a few baby essentials could help ease some of the everyday challenges that come with caring for a newborn. We reached out for help, and once again, our incredible community responded.

Thanks to the generosity of those who contributed, this new mom received much-needed items for her baby. After the packages arrived, she shared how much of a difference the support would make as she navigates this new season of life.

These moments remind us what community can look like.

It’s showing up for survivors not only during times of crisis, but also for the milestones, fresh starts and everyday moments that come afterward.

To everyone who helped make this possible: thank you for being part of a community that continues to care. 💙

08/20/2026

We’re proud to announce that Christina Resendiz has been promoted to Project PATH Program Director! 🎉

Since joining Waymakers in July 2016, Christina has spent the past 10 years advancing prevention and public health throughout Orange County. From Health Educator to Program Coordinator, Program Supervisor and Program Manager, she has brought experience, strong community relationships and an unwavering commitment to every role she has held.

Project PATH is Waymakers’ community-based prevention program dedicated to creating healthier, safer communities by addressing alcohol, to***co and substance misuse through education, outreach and collaboration. Working alongside schools, community organizations, local leaders and other partners, the PATH team helps equip young people and communities with the knowledge, resources and support needed to make healthy choices and prevent problems before they begin.

As Christina steps into this new leadership position, we look forward to the continued growth and impact of Project PATH under her guidance.

Please join us in congratulating Christina and welcoming her to the Waymakers Management Team!

08/19/2026

Across Orange County, Waymakers provides crisis support, compassionate guidance and critical resources to help individuals, youth and families move from crisis toward strength and stability.

Our programs and services include:

• Operating three Orange County youth shelters that provide safe housing, counseling, education and life-skills support
• Supporting victims of crime through crisis intervention, advocacy, court assistance and emergency services
• Helping families navigate conflict and rebuild stronger relationships
• Redirecting youth toward healthier, more positive futures
• Providing 24-hour crisis response for survivors of human trafficking
• Operating Orange County’s only 24-hour r**e crisis hotline and providing hospital accompaniment for survivors of sexual assault
• Educating communities about violence prevention, substance use, human trafficking and healthy youth development
• Helping individuals and families resolve conflict through community mediation

Different programs. Different challenges. One shared purpose: helping people find safety, healing and a path forward.

Waymakers is here 24 hours a day, serving communities throughout Orange County.

Learn more about our programs, volunteer opportunities and ways to support our mission at WaymakersOC.org.

Waymakers builds safer communities by helping individuals make thei...

08/18/2026

We are proud to celebrate Waymakers CEO Ronnetta Johnson on her nomination for the Orange County Business Journal’s 32nd Annual Women in Business Awards!

For more than 30 years, Ronnetta has been an integral part of Waymakers, including more than a decade as CEO. Her leadership, compassion and unwavering commitment to our mission have helped strengthen Waymakers and expand our ability to serve children, families and individuals throughout Orange County.

Thank you to the Orange County Business Journal for recognizing Ronnetta alongside so many remarkable women making an impact in our community.

Congratulations, Ronnetta! We are grateful for your leadership and proud to have you at the helm of Waymakers.