Vanessa Botshekan

We are delighted to announce that as of January 2, 2018, Junior Blind is now known as Wayfinder Family Services! Our organization has grown and expanded over the last 65 years, responding to the critical needs in the communities we serve. Through our services, we reach more people than ever before, from those who have vision loss or profound special needs to foster youth with serious medical conditions or trauma—and their families. As we commemorate our 65 years of dedicated service in 2018, we are pleased to step into the future with a name that embraces our history, while more fully reflecting the breadth of the work that we do and the people we serve. The mission of Wayfinder Family Services is to ensure that children, youth and adults facing challenges always have a place to turn. Founded in 1953 as the Foundation for the Junior Blind, our programs initially provided blind and visually impaired children with opportunities to lead fuller and more independent lives. Today, we annually serve more than 18,500 students and family members across Southern, Central and Northern California through two service divisions: one which helps individuals with visual impairment and additional disabilities and one which assists children in the child welfare system, with a particular specialty in services to medically fragile children and those with other special needs. Wayfinder strives for a world in which every child and family can overcome the obstacles they face—a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Wayfinder Family Services and our tagline “Together, we’ll reach new heights,” embrace our role as a partner. From the small challenges to the biggest achievements, we walk hand-in-hand with children, adults and families along their journey. Wayfinder evokes loyalty, determination and collaboration. We want to do whatever we can to help each member of the Wayfinder family get where they need and want to go.