How has Wayfinder grown and changed with recent changes in the world? We have changed for the better. We chose our name—Wayfinder—because it’s about moving forward. We’ve always been an organization that keeps progressing. One example is in our child development program for young children with vision impairment or multiple disabilities. Initially because of the…
If you have vision loss and don’t have a reference for color or shape, what are your dreams like? Nick Aull, then a teenage counselor-in-training at Wayfinder’s Camp Bloomfield, wondered about this and more regarding the life experiences of people with visual impairment. A camper named Zion told Nick that his dreams were audio-focused. “Hearing…
“I knew I had to step up and be the dad I needed to be for Liam, says his father, Ryan. “Wayfinder helped me out a lot.” After a divorce, Ryan became a single dad to Liam, who had been born three months prematurely, weighing only 2 pounds. Liam was in the neonatal intensive care…
Camille is 16 years old. She had a shocking 26 foster family placements over 10 years. A little more than a year ago, Camille’s case came to Wayfinder—changing the trajectory of her life forever. In 2012, Camille and her younger sisters, Maya, age 3, and Dani, age 1, were removed from their home due to…
“Audrey is very brave. I believe it took incredible courage for Audrey to attend Camp Bloomfield,” says Mark Lucas, Wayfinder camp director. Audrey, age 15, had lost much of her vision only nine months before she arrived at camp. Doctors had removed a brain tumor that was pressing on her optic nerve. Post-surgery, she has…
On a human level, I believe we are all here to be of service and to love,” says Anita Siraki. “By supporting Wayfinder, I feel I am doing a part of that duty.” In addition to donating to Wayfinder, Anita is a member of Wayfinder’s Impact Council. The council is a group of professionals who…
Aaronique is living proof that children placed in kinship care with extended family members or close family friends thrive in stable, permanent homes with loving guardians. When she was 5 years old, child welfare workers removed Aaronique from the care of her biological mother who suffered from substance addiction. The little girl went directly into…
What happens during the summer at Wayfinder Family Services? Our core programs assist clients year round, but each summer we offer immersive summer programs for children, youth and young adults with vision impairment. Camp Bloomfield returned to being an overnight camp this summer after being a virtual camp and day camp due to the pandemic….
Enthusiastic students are returning to Wayfinder’s Special Education School! Among the happy students is Danielle, age 13, who is excited to return for her second year. Danielle is blind and has developmental delays. Her mother, Corinna, transferred Danielle to Wayfinder’s school because she needs more specialized services for visual impairment than she was receiving in…
Doctors told Mateo’s family he would not survive, but he proved them wrong Mateo is a blessing,” says his mother Karinna. Doctors had predicted that Mateo had no future. But in Wayfinder’s Early Intervention Program, the little boy’s progress has inspired his close-knit family. On one fateful day when she was seven months pregnant, Karinna…
