Who We Are
We are Connect With A Wish - a Virginia Beach-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of local youth and young adults in Hampton Roads foster care. From our start granting wishes in 2014, we've always been focused on connecting these youth with the generosity and love of our community. Today, our work is vast and varied, and we're always looking for new ways to help the community we serve. From wishes and acts of kindness to transitional housing and groundbreaking legislative work, see what we do by exploring our twenty plus programs.
What We've Accomplished
5,274
# of children in foster care in the Commonwealth of Virginia
1,000
# of children in foster care in all of Hampton Roads
286
# of children in foster care in Virginia Beach alone
3,151
# of times clients accessed CWW's programs or services in 2024
466
# of coats handed out in our Coat Drive in 2024
191
# of families positively impacted by our Essentials Program in 2024
Statistics from Calendar Year 2024. Number of children in foster care courtesy of Virginia Department of Social Services
Our Mission
Connect With A Wish connects local youth and young adults in Hampton Roads foster care with generosity of our community to provide the resources and support needed to give these youth meaningful opportunities to grow into positive and productive members of our society
Our Reputation
We're a Top-Rated Nonprofit on Great Nonprofits and Platinum rated on Candid Guidestar. We're committed to transparency and integrity in following our mission, so you can support us with confidence. You can also view our annual budget.
Our Commitment to Diversity
Connect With a Wish seeks to reflect our vision of being an organization that has diversity in our staff, and strives for respect and inclusion throughout our workplace and in the communities we serve. We support our employees in building the skills and capacity to work in an inclusive manner with one another and with the communities we serve. This means we continually celebrate the diverse community different individuals cultivate.
With the help of our entire family — our employees, board, foster youth, partners, and community — we can achieve equality and ensure our organization is a place that can be anyone’s place.
Looking to be the difference for a child in need?
Foster parenting: a huge commitment with even greater rewards. If you are considering fostering a child, get in contact with us, or connect with your city's Human Services Department. Connect With a Wish and professionals with your local municipal government are ready and waiting to help with every step of the process, from information on the process to counseling, furniture, clothing, and more!
On The Air
Volunteer of the Quarter
Winter 2025
CWW'S Winter 2025 Volunteer of the Quarter was Poly Federico!
Polly Federico is Senior Director of Tax for Sentara Health, one of the largest health systems in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, and among the top 20 largest not-for-profit integrated health systems in the country, with 30,000 employees, 12 hospitals in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina, and the Sentara Health Plans division which serves more than 1 million members in Virginia and Florida.
Polly heard endlessly about CWW through a friend who has volunteered for CWW since it was formed. She finally went to visit the CWW office when her friend said Joy needed someone to list as a Sentara contact on a grant application; and it was love at first sight. Ironically, Polly was greeted by Jessica, who she later realized was a former student from her days as a middle and high school teacher.
Thanks for being a great volunteer, supporter, and Board member, Polly!
Polly Federico
Fall 2024
Ginger Sybers bumped into us (literally!) at Kindfest a few years ago, and immediately got involved in our office organization efforts and in event volunteerism. Whether it's sorting through our Birthday Brigade to supply foster parents with birthday celebration kits or arranging clothing in our Clothes Closet, Ginger is a fixture around North Landing Road.
Thanks for being a great volunteer and a part of the family, Ginger!
Ginger Sybers
Summer 2024
After moving multiple times as part of a Navy family and obtaining a degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Board Secretary Kathleen Roberts and her husband retired and relocated to Virginia Beach in 2021.
Kathleen wanted to find a volunteer role with a group that focused on youth in her new hometown. Once she saw the Connect With a Wish website and learned about its many awe-inspiring programs, she immediately knew she found her match.
Thanks for being a great volunteer and Board member, Kathleen!
Kathleen Roberts
Spring 2024
Linda Robinson is one of the family here at CWW.
She is a steadfast volunteer at all of our events; serving treats, pouring beverages and doing it all with a gracious smile and caring demeanor. Did we mention she is Ali's grandma?!
Join us in THANKING her for being a dependable & devoted volunteer.
Linda Robinson
Tribute and Memorial Gifts
Connect With a Wish is pleased to honor those who have donated in honor of friends, family, and loved ones. If you would like to contribute in celebration of an important event or people in your life, please contact us.
Tommy Stafford in memory of Ashley Stewart Warren
Joy Rios in memory of Ashley Warren
Liam Flannery in loving memory of Ashley Warren
Angela Michaud in memory of Ashley Stewart Warren
Ann Zingraff-Newton in memory of Shirley Hall
Stacey Powell in memory of Shirley Hall
April Spratley in memory of Shirley Hall
April Spratley in memory of Shirley Hall
Andrea Stover in memory of Shirley Hall
Doris and Ned Goins in memory of Shirley Hall
Anonymous in memory of Shirley Hall, Ocean Lakes Latin Teacher and Dolphin Dash Organizer
Heather Schwark Cross in memory of Shirley Hall
Samuel Lisner in memory of Shirley Hall
Ann Zingraff-Newton in memory of Shirley Hall
Susan McGowen in memory of Shirley Hall
Thalia Hocker in memory of Shirley Hall
John Edwards in memory of Shirley Hall
Marie Grindle in honor of Joy Rios
Paula Henao in honor of Hampton Roads foster youth
Melinda Paul in memory of Granny & Daddy B
Mary Arnold in honor of Tess Bradlee
Ryan Hickey in honor of Lauren Temper and Tara Arther
O Catherine Pierce in honor of Dan Pierce
Debra Dear in honor of Joy Rios
Nancy Allan in honor of Joy Rios
Juana Oliver in honor of Layla Smith
Leslee Hardgrove in memory of Alan C Hamilton
O Catherine Pierce in memory of Dan Pierce
Lorita Hughes in honor of Ashley Conrad
Amy Robinson in honor of Amy Robinson
