Waymakers thanks community for donations to local youth shelters

Waymakers, a nonprofit organization committed to providing high-quality counseling and support services to struggling Orange County children and families at their greatest time of need, has seen its largest basic needs donations from the local community since March 2020, amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Nearly 40 individuals and organizations have donated items specifically to Laguna Beach Youth Shelter.

Among the local organizations that have provided basic need items to the Laguna Beach Youth Shelter during the pandemic are Laguna Presbyterian Church, Laguna Beach Police Association, Assistance League, the Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Laguna Beach, Mimi’s Tailor & Design, Main Street Laguna Bar, World Newsstand, and Laguna Beach Fire Fighters. Donations included items such as masks, meals, produce and snacks, games, books, clothing, household items, and cleaning supplies, among more. 

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Donations are greatly appreciated for Waymakers Youth Shelters 

“Amid the pandemic, we are so thankful to our local community that has answered the call and risen to the challenge when we needed it most,” said Carol Carlson, program director, Children’s Crisis Residential Program for Waymakers. “We are so proud to provide essential services to vulnerable individuals in Orange County, especially during this difficult time when it is needed most, and it would not be possible with the help of our neighbors, supporters, and generous community.”

While the Waymakers’ Youth Shelters remain open to those with the most critical need, and all other Waymakers’ programs remain fully operational, staff have implemented social distancing, client health screenings, enhanced sanitizing procedures, and have created innovative service delivery patterns that adhere to the restrictions mandated by COVID-19 to meet the needs of all clients. Youth Shelters continue to teach youth ages 11-17 and their families key coping skills that will not only help them become resilient throughout this global pandemic, but also throughout their lives. 

Waymakers’ Youth Shelters provide housing services for teens in crisis in Orange County. The Laguna Beach Youth Shelter provides 24-hour supervision in a supportive, home-like environment. The program aims to achieve the following goals: recovery and stabilization for children after a suicide attempt or threat, family strengthening and reunification, homeless prevention, diversion of at-risk youth from the juvenile justice system, and school drop-out prevention. 

For more information on Waymakers, visit waymakersoc.org.

Waymakers continues to seek monetary and in-kind donations to support its operations, for more information, visit www.waymakersoc.org/donate.