It’s the call every parent dreads: Your child has been taken into police custody for shoplifting. Your stomach drops. A million thoughts race through your mind. How did this happen? What does this mean for their future? What signs did I miss? Fear, anger, and disappointment collide, leaving you feeling lost and unsure of what to do next.

Parenting is hard enough, but keeping your child on track amid a scenario with such a tremendous impact on their future can seem impossible. Waymakers, a local nonprofit dedicated to building safer communities, helps parents whose children find themselves enmeshed with the law through a proven program known as the Parent Project® by strengthening their bond with their children, setting healthy boundaries, and fostering lasting change. One mistake doesn’t have to define a child’s future—or your relationship with them—and the information imparted by Waymakers is helpful to all parents looking to rebuild trust and create a more positive home environment.

Parenting Through Challenges

Raising a child isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection.  Through Waymakers, Elissa recently completed the Parent Project® and learned how to address difficult behaviors, improve communication, and guide her daughter toward better decisions. “Before taking the class and meeting new parents dealing with similar situations, I thought and felt like I was judged by other parents and that nobody understood what I was going through. After hearing other parents’ stories, I learned that I was not alone,” she said. Convinced that what she learned would benefit any parent, she is eager to share key takeaways that transformed her relationship with her daughter:

A Path Forward

While Waymakers’ class participants are referred by the juvenile justice system, words of wisdom beyond Elissa’s advice are practical tips that any parent can rely on, such as seeking out individual therapy, setting personal boundaries, and practicing co-parenting by creating a unified approach to addressing conflict. The goal isn’t just to correct behavior but to restore hope, rebuild relationships, and create a foundation for lasting change.

Since 2022, nearly 100 parents from cities throughout Orange County have completed The Parent Project®.

More than just a service provider, Waymakers is a lifeline. They offer individuals, families, and communities the steadiest, surest pathways to promising outcomes. To clients, Waymakers is the stable home they never had, the voice when they’re too fragile to speak, the alternative to the juvenile justice system, and the support system when it’s needed most. They are advocates, allies, and mentors committed to walking alongside those in crisis, helping them find hope and healing. To learn more, or seek support, visit waymakersoc.org.