The Crowd: 44 Women for Orangewood boosts foster youth

He was riding in the backseat of his stepfather’s broken-down car as the family fled creditors in search of a new town to start over.

His mother was crying, and the young boy on the cusp of his teenage years sat frozen in the backseat. He had learned not to make waves in order to escape the wrath of his abusive stepdad.

Suddenly, the man at the wheel stepped on the brake and pulled the car over on the shoulder of the gravel road. His mother cried out, “What are you doing? Why are we stopping here?”

Her husband turned to her, putting his arm across the top of the front seat. He said, “This is it. It is the end of the road for Jimmy.” He turned to the boy in the backseat and said coldly, “Get out of the car. You are on your own now.”

Jimmy Wayne got out of the car as it left a trail of smoke while pulling out of the gravel and onto the road. He stood there with no money, no personal belongings and no idea of where he was going or what he was going to do. This was the beginning of a life journey that is nothing less than a heart-wrenching story of the powerful human will to survive.

Wayne came to Newport Beach recently to front the 12th annual scholarship luncheon for 44 Women for Orangewood. The country singer/recording artist and New York Times bestselling author opened his address singing his hit song “Sara Smile,” which Wayne recorded with Daryl Hall and John Oates. Beyond his successful music career, Wayne — a former foster youth who was eventually rescued by total strangers he had approached looking for work — has dedicated his adult life to helping other foster youth facing dire circumstances.

In 2010 Wayne made it his mission to walk from Nashville to Phoenix to raise awareness for foster youth aging out of the system.

In essence, this is also the purpose and the cause held dear by 44 Women for Orangewood. Thousands of young people across the nation, when reaching the age of emancipation, are totally left without resources or guidance in what is truly a cold world.

Unfortunately, the results and the statistics are horrifying. Wayne told the crowd that upward of 70% of foster children who turn 18 and graduate high school have a desire to enroll in college. However, only a very small number get the chance to do so and, what’s worse, statistics report that less than 1% go on and graduate.

The challenges of life and the financial burdens of higher education often crash the dreams of these emancipated youth. This is where 44 Women for Orangewood steps in.

Founded by social activist Susan Samueli, the organization, with the rallying help of prominent local women, has raised significant dollars that get earmarked and dedicated to supporting the higher education goals for foster kids in the Orange County community. The results have been nothing less than miraculous.

The sold-out 12th annual fundraising luncheon unfolded at the chic Resort at Pelican Hill. It was chaired by Carey Clawson and Sona Shah.

The afternoon on the Newport Coast began with a Champagne reception followed by an exquisite luncheon of southwest blackened salmon salad. Then came an emotional presentation by Wayne, who served as guest speaker.

The man who has become a national spokesperson for foster youth wrote a novel titled “Paper Angels,” which became a best-seller and a made-for-television movie. His efforts were instrumental in getting a billed passed in California extending the age of foster youth care from 18 to 21.

Wayne’s address was followed by the introduction of Sascha Smith, who also shared her life’s journey as a foster child. Her life was one of many transformed by the educational assistance from 44 Women. Smith shared that, like Wayne, she is dedicating her adult life to giving back to other kids facing a similar crisis she once had.

Event chairs Clawson and Shah were assisted by a hardworking committee that Reshma Block, Christine Green Bova, Jeanne Boyce, Linda Calderon, Andrea Casaw, Denni David, Daren Goldhirsh and Kelly Kehlet. Also front and center were Kimberly Kirksey, Yvette McCarthy, Judy Nicholls, Swati Patel, Susan Samueli, Brenda St. Hilaire and Julia Stannard. In the dedicated crowd were Barbara Eidson, Vicki Booth, Madaline Gordon, Bo Marconi, Carol Wilken, Pat Poss, Renee Pepys Lowe and Sandi Jackson. Orangewood Founddation CEO Chris Simonsen and Newport Beach Mayor Diane Dixon were also in attendance.

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B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.