Supported Employment Archives

Independence At Work – Cristian’s Story

julie@branded4good.com2025-10-01T11:19:16+00:00September 15, 2025|Supported Employment|

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the skills, talents, and contributions of workers with disabilities. At Project Independence, our Supported Employment Program helps adults with developmental disabilities thrive in meaningful jobs throughout the community. This month, we’re proud to share stories from some of our incredible clients whose hard work and dedication inspire us every day. Cristian's Story Cristian recently secured his first job with ...

Independence At Work – Ryan’s Story

julie@branded4good.com2025-10-01T11:11:39+00:00September 15, 2025|Program Updates, Supported Employment|

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the skills, talents, and contributions of workers with disabilities. At Project Independence, our Supported Employment Program helps adults with developmental disabilities thrive in meaningful jobs throughout the community. This month, we’re proud to share stories from some of our incredible clients whose hard work and dedication inspire us every day. Ryan's Story Ryan Scobell has been receiving Job Coaching ...

Meet Gabe

julie@branded4good.com2025-09-05T11:12:51+00:00July 18, 2025|Program Updates, Supported Employment|

Meet Gabe - a friendly face with a big smile and a love for amusement parks and the great outdoors. Gabe recently started a new job working as a Home Depot Lot Associate. Through Project Independence’s Supported Employment Program, Gabe was matched with this opportunity, and it's already proving to be a great fit. He works part time and loves that his role keeps him outside and active — something ...

25 Years With Project Independence!

julie@branded4good.com2025-09-05T11:11:50+00:00May 22, 2025|Program Updates, Supported Employment|

This month, we’re thrilled to celebrate Cristina and her 25 years with Project Independence! Since joining in 2000, Cristina has brought energy, dedication, and a joyful presence to every space she’s a part of. Cristina began her journey by exploring vocational paths, developing her skills, and discovering where she felt most confident and fulfilled. In November 2004, she was hired as a Mail Attendant for Irvine City Hall, a ...

A 21-Year Deli Career: Supported Employment Success

julie@branded4good.com2025-09-05T11:04:37+00:00October 9, 2024|Press Releases, Supported Employment|

Steven has been successfully employed at a local Food for Less for 21 years, a position he obtained with assistance of Project Independence. In his role in the deli, Stephen prepares and cooks chicken and potato wedges, bakes breads and cookies, decorates cakes and provides general customer service. When asked about his many years of service, Steven shared that he enjoys working in the bakery and appreciates all of his ...

Extra Mile Award 2017

jdamon2025-09-05T10:24:08+00:00October 11, 2017|Program Updates, Supported Employment|

Tom Peale, Trader Joe's employee and Project Independence client, gave this congratulatory speech at our 2017 Walk for Independence on September 8th 2017 as Trader Joe's was presented the Extra Mile Award for going above and beyond to support Project Independence and our programs: Good morning everyone! What a great morning it has been! My name is Tom Peale, and it is my pleasure to be here today to congratulate ...

Benefits of Employment: Just the Facts

jdamon2025-09-05T10:16:16+00:00March 17, 2017|From Deb's Desk, Supported Employment|

Presentation Topics: Benefits of Getting a Job New Federal Regulations Impacting Employment Barriers & Misconceptions About Going to Work Resources Work Incentives Planning Assistance (WIPA) ABLE Act Tuesday March 7, 2017 6:00pm 7:30pm Regional Center of Orange County, 1525 N Tustin Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705 Cost: FREE Please RSVP, Space is limited To RSVP please contact the following: Darlene at Integrated Resources Institute (949) 232-1172 OR Darlene@irioc.org Light Refreshments ...

Project Independence Celebrates 15 Years Serving City of Irvine

jdamon2025-09-05T10:14:05+00:00December 27, 2016|Press Releases, Supported Employment|

Two thousand sixteen marks the 15th year of a unique partnership between the City of Irvine and nonprofit Project Independence to provide meaningful employment for people with developmental disabilities who help to make sure that the city’s busy mail department runs efficiently. As a licensed contractor to the city, Project Independence maintains two enthusiastic teams to assist in the organization; a morning group from the nonprofit’s Day Program and another ...

Hi Time Wine Cellars

jdamon2025-09-05T10:11:22+00:00August 2, 2016|Supported Employment|

We have 66 employers throughout Orange County that employ over 140 of our clients in full or part time positions. One of our proud employer partners, Hi Time Wine Cellars, has employed many of our clients for years. They could not be more pleased with the work ethic, the enthusiasm and reliability of their Project Independence employees. Stop by to say hello to Hi Time. They are a community jewel.