“Many people thought I was going to break when I went into foster care,” says 19-year-old Melanie. “But I knew that I was strong enough to become the person I wanted to be.” At age 15, Melanie entered the child welfare system and was placed with a foster family. “I was nervous and a little…
Frankie knows how children feel when they are suddenly removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. “You start off scared. You’re being taken out of your home,” he explains. “You’re overwhelmed, you want your mother or father.” Frankie knows this because he lived it. At age 7, he entered foster care due to…
In her position, Seana oversees the foster care program in Wayfinder’s Ontario location and runs the adoption program across all offices. Seana has a deep understanding of the struggles and rewards of fostering and adopting children because she has two adopted daughters. After eight years of marriage and no children, Seana was saving for an…
Former Foster Youth in Wayfinder’s Foster Care and Adoption Program When you first came to Wayfinder, what was your biggest obstacle? What did Wayfinder do to help you overcome it and thrive? My biggest obstacle was feeling that nobody heard me or believed me. My social worker helped me. She would talk to me on…
Wayfinder Residential Counselor at The Cottage, a Transitional Shelter Care Program How do you bring Wayfinder Family Services’ mission to life? I show the residents that when you work for something, you will be rewarded. When you help someone, when you show compassion to someone, compassion will come back to you. What does being a…
Steve and Esmeralda Hall weren’t able to have biological children, but they had a lot of love to give a child. The Lancaster, Calif., couple began the foster-to-adopt process. The Halls were very interested in fostering a baby who had been surrendered under California’s 2006 Safely Surrendered Baby Law. The law encourages parents to surrender…
Meet our Executive Director of Foster Care and Adoption Services Leslie Oropeza is recognized for her ability to nurture relationships with our children, families and community partners. We asked her what being a Wayfinder means to her. How do you bring Wayfinder Family Services’ mission to life? I am motivated by our children growing and…
An hour east of Los Angeles, in the city of Fontana, resides a woman with an extraordinary mission. Originally from Zacatecas, Mexico, Gloria first heard about foster parenting through a friend in the late 1970s. Since then, she’s fostered around 300 children, including kids with various disabilities. “I currently have three siblings who have…
Lifting the spirits of children entering foster care They arrive at Wayfinder with little more than the clothes on their back. Some carry trash bags containing a few meager belongings. They are neglected, abused or abandoned children. In Wayfinder’s Cottage, they find solace, loving care and Hope in a Suitcase. Wayfinder is one of four…
Parker is smart, athletic and mature beyond his years. He’s a young man with a plan and a bright future ahead of him, thanks to the care and support he received in our youth residential treatment program. Parker entered foster care as a teen. The trauma he experienced leading up to him leaving his home…
