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So far jdamon has created 60 blog entries.

For homebound seniors, nutritious Meals on Wheels; for developmentally disabled adults who deliver them, a sense of purpose

2025-09-05T10:32:36+00:00January 22, 2019|In the News|

THERESA WALKER | thwalker@scng.com | Orange County Register PUBLISHED: January 21, 2019 at 7:30 am | UPDATED: January 21, 2019 at 7:30 am Darrin Mackel community support specialist with Project Independence looks on as Jennifer Elliott, 43, of Huntington Beach walks to an apartment to deliver meals to seniors in Costa Mesa on Friday, January 18, 2019. Elliott and other adult volunteers with developmental disabilities are clients of Costa Mesa-based Project Independence and volunteer to deliver ...

Meet our new Human Resources Director – Meka Green

2025-09-05T10:31:36+00:00October 15, 2018|Press Releases|

MEKA GREEN NAMED DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT PROJECT INDEPENDENCE Costa Mesa, California, October 15, 2018 – Meka Green of Paramount has been named director of Human Resources for nonprofit Project Independence of Costa Mesa. She has been at Project Independence since 2007 and has many years of experience providing support to staff, clients and their families.  The mother of eight-year-old daughter, Green is a member of PTA (Parent Teacher ...

Nonprofits Providing Essential Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities Cannot Afford to Pay A Living Wage

2025-10-13T07:09:39+00:00September 1, 2018|Press Releases|

The inability of many Orange County nonprofit organizations to pay living wages to their staffs is taking its toll. It’s a major hurdle for Costa Mesa-based Project Independence, which serves Orange County residents with developmental disabilities. I recently spoke with a parent of a young man with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) after yet another beloved long-term staff member of Project Independence resigned. Her son exhibits challenging and sometimes aggressive behaviors. He ...

ADA Anniversary

2025-10-13T07:07:53+00:00July 26, 2018|Advocacy Updates, From Deb's Desk|

Today is the 28th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - please join us in keeping the spirit of the law alive by advocating for the ABLE Age Adjustment Act (S.817/HR 1874)! The Ask: Today, ask your Members of Congress to support this legislation by: Emailing them directly. Calling their Washington, D.C. offices. The Details: In 2014 Congress passed the ABLE Act, which authorized the creation of savings ...

Orange County Regional Center Awards Project Independence

2025-09-05T10:26:50+00:00April 2, 2018|In the News, Press Releases|

The Orange County Regional Center award two Annual Spotlight Awards to Project Independence at their Spotlight Awards Gala on March 2nd. CEO/President of Project Independence, Debra Marsteller was given the Spotlight Lifetime Achievement Award for over 35 years of working with adults with developmental disabilities. Accepting the award from the Director of the OCRC, Larry Landauer,on her behalf was the Project Independence Chairman of the Board Dan Pittman of Pittman ...

PAUL MITCHELL AND PROJECT INDEPENDENCE TEAM TO BRING SMILES AND GREAT HAIR TO ORANGE COUNTY ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

2025-10-13T07:05:38+00:00March 23, 2018|Press Releases|

On March 18, 2018 the Paul Mitchell School of Costa Mesa opened its doors for a day of hairstyling and laughter. Over 40 clients and friends of Project Independence were treated like the royalty they are by the compassionate students at Paul Mitchell. The Access 2 Adventure Program of Project Independence partners with community organizations to create fun, inclusive events that bolster pride and a sense of independence. All visitors ...

TRADER JOE’S LOCATIONS TO RECEIVE EXTRA MILE AWARD AT 8th ANNUAL PROJECT INDEPENDENCE WALK

2025-09-05T10:22:00+00:00August 15, 2017|Press Releases|

40th anniversary-related event enables nonprofit to build a community one step at a time Costa Mesa, California, August 2017 – Several Orange County locations of the Trader Joe’s grocery chain will receive the Extra Mile Award next month at the eighth edition of nonprofit Project Independence’s Walk for Independence, which will commemorate the organization’s 40th anniversary.  The Walk is set for September 9 at Tewinkle Park in Costa Mesa. Trader ...

Donation helps Costa Mesa nonprofit revive Access to Adventure program

2025-09-05T10:19:50+00:00July 3, 2017|In the News, Supporter Updates|

By LOUIS CASIANO JR. | Orange County Register - A Costa Mesa-based nonprofit that serves those with developmental disabilities in Orange County will restart a popular program to provide its clients with outings and social interaction thanks to a $10,000 grant. The money – from the Louis and Gladyce Foster Family Foundation – given to Project Independence this month will help bring back its Access to Adventure program after budget constraints forced the ...

PROJECT INDEPENDENCE RECEIVES $10,000 GRANT TO FUND PROGRAM OFFERING FUN CONFIDENCE-BUILDING ADVENTURES FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

2025-10-13T06:58:39+00:00June 30, 2017|Press Releases|

Louis & Gladyce Foster Family Foundation Helps Fund Access2Adventure Program Costa Mesa, California, June 30, 2017 – With the support of a $10,000 grant from the Louis & Gladyce Foster Family Foundation, a family foundation established in Southern California, Project Independence’s popular Access2Adventure Program will be restored. The program provides carefully supervised outings for people with developmental disabilities served by the Costa Mesa-based nonprofit organization like attending Angels baseball games, ...

Donor Reception 2017

2025-10-13T06:56:23+00:00May 5, 2017|From Deb's Desk, Supporter Updates|

This year Project Independence celebrates 40 years of serving adults with developmental disabilities throughout Orange County. This benchmark would not have been reached without the support of donors and client employers. To celebrate we gathered with our supporters and community partners on May 4th. Family, friends, employers and a broad reach of supporters came together to celebrate with music, food, smiles and laughter. Project Independence is proud to have supporters ...

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