Enhancing the lives
of youth and young adults
in Hampton Roads foster care
Who We Are
Connect With A Wish is a Virginia Beach-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides youth and young adults in Hampton Roads foster care and their caregivers with the resources and support to live well and grow. We began in 2014 by providing Wishes to children in Hampton Roads foster care. Since then, we have grown to over 20 programs and events that address the growing needs of the foster care community in Hampton Roads and are designed to offer hope, nurture a dream, and/or promote future success.
Our vision is to positively transform the lives of those we serve by delivering initiatives and forging collaborations with local organizations so that every foster child in the Hampton Roads community, both present and former, discovers their full potential.
Everything we do relies on the generosity of people just like you.
Ready to help? Connect with us!
Foster Care at a Glance
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
2,855
# of times clients accessed CWW's programs or services in 2023
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
# of children in foster care courtesy of:
Our Mission
To connect the wishes and needs of local youth and young adults in foster care with the generosity of our community. We provide the resources and support needed to give our clients the opportunity to grow into positive and productive members of our society
Our Reputation
We're top-rated 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.
CWW News & Upcoming Events
Stop by Connect With A Wish on Monday, May 5th, 2025 from 12 to 6:00 p.m. to check out all that happens at Connect With a Wish and help raise awareness during Foster Care Awareness month
Bring non-perishable food items for our Wish to Dish program and receive a raffle ticket for each item you donate!
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A Cinco De Mayo Open House!
Connect With A Wish is excited to announce that Lauren Tremper has been appointed Executive Director of Connect With A Wish, stepping in to lead the CWW team alongside President and Founder Joy Rios.
Read more below!
CWW Announces Lauren Tremper as Executive Director
We raised over $120,000 at the 2025 Wish Upon a Star gala. Thanks to EVERYONE that made this possible!
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Be a Part of the Solution:
Consider Fostering Today!
Foster parenting: a huge commitment with even greater rewards. If you are considering fostering a child, get in contact with us at media@cwwvb.org 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!
Ready to Learn More?
On The Air
Volunteer of the Quarter
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
Winter 2023
Elizabeth Antolak came to VB from Texas. Through new connections she heard of CWW and jumped right in!
Thank you, Elizabeth for your wonderful boundless energy and great vision for our "new" Prom Event!
Elizabeth Antolak
Winter 2023
Heather Higgins came to VB from Missouri. She contacted CWW looking for a place to help and make community connections.
Thank you Heather for your incredible organizing abilities and having great vision for our Prom Event!
Heather Higgins
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.
Sue Doyle For Giving Tuesday in honor of Marion Zillner
Billy & Pam Stancill in honor of John Reid's birthday.
Virginia Earley, in honor of Zeke Toller
Eldred and Catherine Caveney in honor of Bill's birthday
Marion and Douglas Willey, in loving memory of their cousin Teresa Lopez
Charity UMC Bible Group in honor of Barbara Henley
Cathy Pierce in memory of Daniel Pierce
Joan Christie in memory of Jarrett Zoby
The Frey Family, in memory of Margaret Robrecht and Lolen “Wendy” Daugherty
Marshall Eng in memory of Sandra Payne
Barbara Zoby in memory of Sandra Payne
Steve and Sheila Magula in memory of Sandra Payne
Harold and Deanna Lloyd in memory of Sandra Payne
Marry Warren in memory of Sandra Payne
Warren and Joan Christie in memory of Sandra Payne
Don Dorey in memory of Sandra Payne
Barry and Debby Mandell in memory of Sandra Payne
Kathleen Marie Hatton in memory of Sandra Payne
Pamela Ives in memory of Sandra Payne
Scott Berry in memory of Sandra Payne
J Thorpe and Connie Bowden in memory of Sandra Payne
