FOR A GOOD CAUSE -- Walter Cruttenden

-- Story by Paul Clinton

Chipping in to help foster teens develop job skills gives Walter

Cruttenden self-satisfaction.

The investment banker who lives in Spyglass Hill volunteers with

Orange County Works, an Irvine nonprofit group.

At monthly workshops, Cruttenden teaches the basics -- how to give a

handshake, work with co-workers, fill out a job application and other

needed skills.

“It’s that basic,” Cruttenden said. “A lot of them have been abused.

They just need some love and basic help.”

Cruttenden became involved with Orange County Works in 1990, after

group founder Don MacAllister called him for a donation.

Several years earlier, MacAllister left his foster home in Baltimore

as an 18-year-old with only $100 in his pocket. After stepping off a bus

at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, MacAllister wandered around and

eventually ended up living under the Huntington Pier for more than two

years.

But by the time he went to Cruttenden, MacAllister was on his feet

looking to help others in his shoes.

“When he said that he himself was a foster kid and had been homeless

for a while, I thought, ‘There’s a guy who walks the walk and talks the

talk,”’ Cruttenden said.

In addition to the workshops, the 50-year-old Cruttenden has also

sponsored a car in the group’s upcoming soapbox derby. Foster teens

involved in the group’s programs will drive the cars in the event,

scheduled to take place June 16 in Aliso Viejo.

MacAllister has been pounding the pavement to nail down corporate

sponsors for the 32 entries.

Cruttenden’s support of the group -- he donates his time, as well as

some money -- helped get it off the ground in the past decade.

There are now more than 100 people who volunteer their time to support

the foster teens, from ages 15 to 18, participating in Orange County

Works.

“Walter’s involvement has had a big ripple effect,” MacAllister said.