YES, we can do more!
Wayfinder believes that everyone deserves a chance to reach their full potential. Children, youth and adults with vision loss or other disabilities … children and youth who have experienced loss and trauma … families struggling financially and emotionally … We see the whole person, not just a problem, and we offer the life-changing services each person needs to overcome the obstacles they face.
Wayfinder does more in your community!
Our 23 locations across California reach all 58 counties.
- 24,490 Children, youth and adults served
- 59% Children under age 18
- 84% Low-income families
Reducing trauma … improving health and mental health … finding loving homes for children who have been maltreated. Each year, Wayfinder strives to do more to improve lives.
- 99% Wayfinder clients satisfied with our program services
- 88% Children in stable foster placements with the same foster (resource) family
- 98% Wayfinder clients reported being treated with courtesy and respect
- 94% Youth in our prevention program improved their capacity to manage mental illness symptoms
- 98% Children removed from their homes and placed in kinship care with a relative or family friend still in a permanent placement one year later
- 85% With kinship caregiver
- 10% Reunified with parent
- 2% Legal guardianship
- 1% Adopted
- 97% Older adults with vision loss improved their independent living skills
- 100% Campers at Camp Bloomfield strengthened their sense of independence
- 17,519 Hours of mental health therapy
Child Welfare Programs
More children grow up in loving homes.
2,610 Children + 2,065 Caregivers
38% of foster youth in The Haven received honor roll awards for the fall 2024 semester.
The Cottage and The Haven on our Los Angeles campus shelter children while they heal. The Cottage provides short-term care to children who have been recently removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and are awaiting placement with a relative or foster (resource) family. The Haven offers residential services and long-term foster care. Both programs provide child-centered, trauma-informed services to address children’s complex needs. 100% of youth felt safe while in care at The Cottage.
Our statewide Foster Care and Adoption programs recruit and certify foster (resource) parents who can provide safe, caring homes. We match children and youth with families that can meet their needs, including children who have health or mental health challenges. After adoptions, Wayfinder provides services that ensure adoptive families remain together. 99% of adoptive children whose families received Post-Adoption Support services continued to be stable in their adoptive homes.
Wayfinder’s family-focused prevention programs produce stronger, more resilient parents and children. Through counseling, parenting skills training and parent coaching, caregivers learn how to build a more nurturing home for their children. Families reduce the risk that their children will be placed in out-of-home care. 97% of families that completed Safe and Stable Families were stable with no children entering foster care one year after discharge.
Our Kinship Support Services Program supports grandparents, extended family members or close family friends who step up to raise children so they avoid the trauma of separation from their birth family. One year after case closure, 100% of kinship caregivers reported less stress and improved well-being.
Our Family Finding Program searches for and locates relatives and people close to youth in foster care so that youth can maintain or establish valuable, supportive relationships. 93% of youth were in contact with
at least one newly identified extended family member at discharge from the program.
Visitation and Coaching Services strengthens parenting and sustains family ties for parents whose children are in foster care. 96% of adults improved their ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.
Vision and Disability Programs
More children and adults with disabilities achieve greater independence.
1,648 Children and Adults + 2,484 Family Members
Our sports and recreation program added adaptive tennis, tandem cycling, baseball and soccer for youth and adults with visual and other disabilities.
Wayfinder’s Child Development Services provides in-person early intervention services to children from birth to age 6 with visual impairment or multiple disabilities. Parents learn to provide their child with therapeutic stimulation and to advocate for their child’s education and care. 92% of parents acquired knowledge to advocate for their child’s special needs.
Our Special Education School provides a safe, positive learning environment for children and youth ages 5 to 22 who have moderate-to-severe disabilities, which may include vision loss. Students learn communication, mobility and functional skills to increase their independence. 100% of students met their goals in behavioral and social skills, 97% in independent living skills, 82% in orientation and mobility, and 81% in braille and communication.
Wayfinder offers two comprehensive residential rehabilitation programs for adults with vision loss: the Davidson Program for Independence in Los Angeles and the Hatlen Center in Sacramento. 96% of Davidson graduates achieved 100% of their individual goals in independent living skills. 100% of Hatlen graduates moved into independent living or enrolled in an education or training program within three months of graduation.
Our adult workforce programs enable people with vision loss to explore careers and education, prepare for job seeking, learn the latest technology and navigate public transportation. 88% of participants increased competency in assistive technology, improving their job competitiveness.
Older Individuals who are Blind provides adults ages 55 and older who are visually impaired with training to assist them in living independently. Each client has a service plan with goals and activities geared to their particular needs. Clients receive one-to-one instruction and attend small group trainings. As a result, older adults gain independence and self-sufficiency so they can participate more fully in their communities. 94% of adults who completed services reported an increased ability to engage in their customary daily life activities in the home and community.
Wayfinder’s Camp Bloomfield and sports, recreation and outdoor adventures welcome children, youth and adults with vision loss and other disabilities. All activities are adapted for athletes with disabilities, including horseback riding, swimming, whitewater river rafting, surfing, snow skiing and many more memorable adventures. 98% of campers gained confidence in their ability to participate in all activities.
Medical & Mental Health Programs
More children and families increase well-being.
1,003 Children and Adults + 2,010 Family Members
Community Mental Health served 26% more children, youth and adults than in the prior year.
Our Medical Department provides 24-hour services to clients in our on-campus residential programs, plus students in our Special Education School. Many clients have complex, intertwined medical, mental health and behavioral needs, which our medical staff are adept at addressing.
Our mental health professionals offer therapy to children, youth, adults and families in our communities, as well as youth living in The Cottage and The Haven. Our therapists help clients build resilience and skills to cope with traumatic experiences, unstable environments, abuse, neglect and more. 97% of clients decreased the impairments that were preventing them from functioning well in their schools, families, relationships or social interactions.
Two programs prevent mental health issues from escalating. Be Well focuses on mental wellness and empowerment of youth ages 14 to 25 who are experiencing mental health disorders or early symptoms of one. The Blues Program helps teenagers learn how to manage stress and reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.
97% of youth in Be Well reduced conflicts in school and at work.
As an affiliate of Healthy Families America, Wayfinder provides low-income, first-time parents of infants and toddlers with home visits and other services to improve children’s health and development, parents’ well-being and family dynamics.
Wayfinder provides Enhanced Care Management to coordinate physical, behavioral and social services for Medi-Cal patients with complex needs to reduce crises and improve long-term outcomes. This evidence-informed model addresses housing instability, food insecurity and trauma, in addition to medical and mental health care.