The Orange County Continuum of Care board has chosen a new slate of officers. Network members, Dawn Price, Executive Director of Friendship Shelter has been elected as the new Chair, and Becks Heyhoe, Executive Director, United to End Homelessness at Orange County United Way was elected to serve for a second year as Vice Chair.

The Continuum of Care is a collection of nonprofits and agencies to come together to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness.

Dawn participated in the 2018 Executive Learning Group and is one of our esteemed Executive Coaches. Becks participated in the 2021 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group and was coached in the 2022 Executive Coaching Program.

Waymakers turns 50 in 2023!

This robust organization kicked off celebrations with a reception held on the UCI Campus. This is especially appropriate, since Waymakers began as a pilot project out of the UCI Social Ecology Program. Over the years, Waymakers has evolved to guide positive and lasting change for vulnerable children and families by designing programs that shelter children, support crime victims, counsel youth and families, resolve conflicts, and educate communities. 

Ronnetta Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, participated in the 2017 Executive Learning Group, is an Executive Coach in our Executive Coaching Program, and participates in the current Leadership Reading Group. Melinda Ramos, Chief Financial Officer is currently in the 2023 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group.

Congratulations to Katy Vandermost with Child Creativity Lab on her promotion to Director of Partnerships. In Katy's words, "CCL teaches students that creativity is not simply the act of painting, drawing, sculpting or writing. Creativity is solving problems, especially when you have limited resources. Creativity provides self-esteem and confidence. It rewrites our brain. It gives us the agency to take ownership of our future. No matter what age you are - OWNERSHIP and AGENCY are essential to a happy and useful life."

Katy is a current member of our 2023 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group.

Congratulations to Chris Farwell, the new Director of Development at Casa Youth Shelter, an organization with a history of serving the most at-risk youth in Orange County for over 40 years. Their mission is to serve and nurture youth in crisis with shelter, counseling, and support services, empowering them to come through their crisis with increased confidence, stability, and tools for continued growth. Chris recently served as Director of Individual Giving at Project Hope Alliance and for over 10 years served as Chief Development Officer with Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.



Chris participated in the 2017 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group and is currently being coached in the Executive Coaching Program.

The City of Santa Ana issued a proclamation in recognition of We Care Month, to highlight a youth mental health initiative by Santa Ana Unified School District called "We Care. Get Help." This is shaped in part by Network member, Dawn Reese, CEO of The Wooden Floor and Drake Levasheff, co-chairs of the Santa Ana Youth Mental Health Taskforce. As part of the proclamation, the city is lighting up their iconic water tower in a wash of red lights to raise awareness on the month.

Dawn Reese participated in the 2007 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group, was coached in 2012 and is one of our Executive Coaches.

Jessica Hubbard has hit the ground running as the new CEO of Casa Youth Shelter. Jessica recently sat down with Dr. Wendy Walsh on KFI AM 640 to talk about teen dating violence and societal causes, and how to look for signs of abusive relationships and what parents, schools, and friends can do to help!

To listen to the entire interview, click here.

Jessica was coached in the 2018 Executive Coaching Program, participated in the 2019 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group, shared her expertise as a Fieldstone@4 presenter, and is in the 2023 Executive Learning Group.

Laura's House is holding a free Healthy Families Summit on Sextortion on March 1st. The FBI issued a public emergency announcement warning about the explosion of “sextortion” schemes targeting children and teens. Laura’s House is dedicated to building healthy families and protecting teens from the harmful effects of relationship-predatory online practices.



For more information, click here.

Margaret Bayston, CEO, is one of our Executive Coaches and Lia Chacon, Legal Advocacy Manager, is a current member of our 2023 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group..

Samar Aziz, Founder and Executive Director of Sabil USA was featured on Spectrum News 1 - From Tustin to Syria, Sabil USA Sends Aid. For the past decade, the nonprofit has served the refugee, underprivileged and Middle Eastern communities in Orange County, connecting anyone in need of food, rental assistance and mental health services. In the aftermath of the earthquakes that devastated Syria and Turkey in early February, Sabil pivoted from the nonprofit's domestic focus to send aid abroad. Samar has partnered her nonprofit with several organizations, including the Syrian Sunrise Foundation, which has an overseas presence to make sure donations reach Syria.

To view the complete coverage, click here.

Samar is a very active participant in the Network joining the current 2022/23 Leadership Reading Group, the 2023 Executive Learning Group and 2023 Executive Coaching Program.

We love when Network members come together! These dedicated leaders shared their perspectives, wisdom, strength and experiences as part of a panel with Working Wardrobes Board of Directors. Pictured (left to right) are Brateil Aghasi, CEO of WISEPlace, Jim McAleer, CEO of Alzheimer's Orange County, Alison Edwards, CEO at OC Human Relations, and Bonni Pomush, CEO of Working Wardrobes.

Brateil participated in the 2013 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group; Alison participated in the 2008 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group and was coached in the 2013 Executive Coaching Program, and Bonni is a current member of the 2023 Executive Learning Group.

WTLC is now Radiant Futures!

Over the past several years, WTLC had been on a journey to examine who they are, and dream of who they wanted to become. It led them to a new name and brand identity that captures the voices of survivors and represents the communities they hope to create, who they are, and dream of who they want to become. They are no longer a six-bed shelter that serves as a refuge for women and children escaping situations of violence. They have grown to now 54 beds - soon to be 70 - with the opening of the new Hope House as well as providing comprehensive supportive services. They learned from those served, and are the reflection of their stories and voices.

Click here to learn more.

Alycia Capone, Chief Advancement Officer, is a current member of the 2023 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group.

The Youth Center in Los Alamitos has been named a Nonprofit of the Month by the United States Congress House of Representatives. For 71 years, the Youth Center has been providing programs for kids and their families, including music education, after school care, tutoring, summer programs, therapy for kids, programs for teens and scholarships for families in need in the local community.

Lina Lumme, Executive Director/CEO, participated in the 2018 Executive Learning Group.