Adults with developmental disabilities take to the water at Newport Aquatic Center via Project Independence's Access 2 Adventure program By Dan Pittman, Neighbor Adventurous clients of nonprofit Project Independence enjoy an exciting outing on the water paddling an outrigger canoe with the careful guidance of the MAKAPO Aquatics Project. (Project Independence) Nonprofit Project Independence's Access to Adventure (A2A) program for its clients with developmental disabilities has returned with outdoor ...

Holley Sao, kitchen manager for Toast Kitchen + Bakery in Costa Mesa, prepares meals for Delivering with Dignity on Wednesday. One year in, the collaboration of donors, volunteers, assistance agencies and local restaurants has delivered 81,000 hot meals to people in need. (Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer) By SARA CARDINESTAFF WRITER JULY 1, 2021 5:09 PM PT As Orange County entered the long stretch of the coronavirus pandemic last summer, a contingent ...

            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 ...

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 ...