Orange County Community Foundation Collaborative Giving Days

2025-09-05T10:49:03+00:00May 7, 2021|In the News|

            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 ...

PROJECT INDEPENDENCE: Enriching the Lives of the Developmentally Disabled

2025-09-05T10:47:39+00:00April 14, 2021|In the News|

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 ...

Project Independence’s Client Tran Test Drives Carr Manufacturing

2025-10-13T07:24:42+00:00March 29, 2021|In the News|

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 ...

Nonprofit delivers holiday cheer

2025-10-13T07:23:32+00:00January 5, 2021|In the News|

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 ...

Nonprofit Provides Job Opportunities for Developmentally Disabled

2025-09-05T10:33:06+00:00April 9, 2019|In the News|

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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Virgen’s View: Costa Mesa man, who is autistic, prepares to run his sixth OC Marathon

2025-09-05T10:17:09+00:00May 4, 2017|Event Updates, In the News|

From Daily Pilot byby Steve Virgen Contact Reporter. On most Saturdays, Marcell Bassett will ditch his running shoes and run on his bare feet. His toes crush into the sand. He prefers to train for the OC Marathon on the beach. He says the work helps with his posture and strengthens his stride. He wants to be ready, and he believes this will help. This applies to a marathon race, but it ...

Health Matters: Workforce diversity includes people with disabilities

2025-09-05T10:13:36+00:00October 28, 2016|Advocacy Updates, In the News|

For 20 years, Marcell Bassett has worked a full-time job in the Recovery Department at IKEA in Orange County.  IKEA, the world’s largest home furnishing company, was founded more than 60 years ago in Sweden. It may not seem remarkable to hold a job for two decades; however, for a person with a disability, it is quite an accomplishment for both the employer and the employee. To encourage employers to ...

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