by: Dan Pittman Posted: May 7, 2021 COSTA MESA...Project Independence and nine aligned nonprofits will partner with the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) on May 20 for Empowering Possibilities, a collaborative Giving Day to support people with disabilities living in Orange County. The 24-hour online effort aims to raise $100,000 for 10 nonprofits offering a range of education and supportive services, skills training and ...

APRIL 2021 Since 1977, Project Independence has helped people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) expand their horizons. The organization currently supports 600+ people in Orange County. Project Independence’s focus is to help people with I/DD reach their dreams of living on their own, and having meaningful work and friendships. “These are dreams we all have,” said Debra Marsteller, president and CEO. Debra is an advocate, trainer, mentor, and supporter ...

The Project Independence Supported Employment program successfully matches a job with someone with a developmental disability like Victoria. Dan Pittman, Neighbor Posted Tue, Mar 23, 2021 at 9:50 am PT Nonprofit Project Independence (PI) of Costa Mesa is pleased to announce that the organization's client Victoria Tran has joined the staff of Carr Manufacturing Company, Inc. in Lake Forest. Her new job was secured through Project Independence's Supported Employment program and job ...

Thursday, January 14, 2021  Project Independence, a nonprofit in Costa Mesa, wrapped and delivered thousands of everyday items to adults with developmental disabilities over the holidays. Along with hundreds of dollars in cash and gift cards, the organization’s volunteers brought games and myriad household products to its clients. Many of the items were donated by users of the website nextdoor.com, according to a statement from the nonprofit, while Vandana and ...

Serving people with developmental disabilities takes more than a walk in the park. But it's a great start! Thank you to the generous sponsors of our 10th Walk for Independence that celebrates independent living for people with developmental disabilities throughout Orange County. With your support, we are building a community one step at a time.

By Zack Tawatari PUBLISHED 12:52 PM ET Jan. 30, 2019 This production line is a well-oiled machine. From one set of arms to the next, these volunteers load packaged meals into coolers at the Costa Mesa Senior Center. Jennifer and Goldy make a good team and quick work of this truck-load of food, organizing it in minutes. Their efficiency can’t be beat. And after accounting for each item, ...

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 ...

Project Independence of Costa Mesa has received $9,300 in donations following the nonprofit’s participation in the 2018 OC Marathon and OC 5K race. Project Independence’s ninth annual Walk For Independence is set for Sept. 8 at Tewinkle Park in Costa Mesa. Go to proindependence. org for more information. The nonprofit says 87 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to support programs for people with developmental disabilities. Read More

More than a dozen adults with developmental disabilities found adventure on the water Wednesday when they tried their hands at outrigger canoeing at the Newport Aquatic Center. The paddlers are clients of the Costa Mesa-based nonprofit Project Independence and participate in its Access 2 Adventure program. The activity was arranged with the Makapo Aquatics Project, which was founded in 2007 to provide recreational outrigger paddling for blind and visually impaired ...