Making a Difference
Project Self-Sufficiency provides assistance to highly motivated single parents in Orange County while they attend college or a vocational program in order to achieve economic independence.
The Program
Project Self-Sufficiency uses a holistic model of providing financial assistance, case management and other resources to provide a path for a successful academic journey toward economic self-reliance.
A Recipe for Success
The Project Self-Sufficiency program model is designed to keep clients in school and on track to becoming economically self-sufficient. The PSS staff maintains close communication with all clients to strategize and address barriers to their success, meeting at least twice a year to update records, assess family needs, review grades, and oversee academic plans.
The result – four times more PSS student-parents graduate than the national average for low-income students! PSS students have wide-ranging interests of study and earn a variety of bachelor’s degrees including hospitality management, nursing, and other health related fields. Entry level wages in Orange County for a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality or nursing are $52k-$84k per year
How We Serve
Case Management
Textbook Reimbursements
Individual Counseling
Emergency Rental Assistance
Educational Scholarships
Healthcare Assistance
Client Supply Pantry
Transportation Assistance
Childcare Assistance
Housing Security Deposits
The Clients
Project Self-Sufficiency clients gain job skills, a career path and new self-esteem on their way to becoming economically self-sufficient. They are the future leaders of Orange County!
Our Clients Are
%
Single Mothers
%
Enrolled in College
%
Single Fathers
%
Full-Time Students
%
Low Income
%
Inadequate Housing
%
OC Students
%
Highly Motivated
Become a PSS Client
Are you a low-income single parent attending college? Do you live, work or go to school in Orange County? Are you highly motivated to succeed? You may qualify to become one of our PSS Clients.
In order to qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following specific requirements.
Low Income
Your family income must be less than the low-income threshold for Orange County.
Single Parent
of a minor child, not living with a partner or significant other.
Child Custody
You must have physical/legal custody of at least one minor child.
Enrolled
- in community college or university working toward your AA or BA and have completed at least 1 semester.
3.0 GPA
You must have an overall GPA of 3.0 (or close).
Income
You must have a source of income, but not necessarily employment.
Orange County
You must live, work, or attend college in Orange County, California.
Trade School?
- We accept clients in a vocational program on a case-by-case basis.
The Community
Project Self-Sufficiency owes much of our success to the commitment of community partners like you who see the value of education as a path to economic sustainability.
Our Community Partners
Project Self-Sufficiency collaborates with the community, civic groups, faith groups, private foundations and in-kind service providers that believe in our mission and stand with us to break the cycle of poverty in our community.
Who We Are
A team of professionals
PSS Staff
Beth Jackson-Pardo
Program Director
Nhi Pham, BA
Bookkeeper and Administrative Assistant
Beth Jackson-Pardo
Program Director
Board of Directors
Officers
Cherie Schenck, MBA, EdD
President
John Hannum
Chief Financial Officer
Tien Phan
Executive Vice President
Ellen Nialis
Vice President of Membership
Michael Araluce
VP Resources Development
Denise Busby
Secretary
Board Members
Beth Antonius
Denise Kajioka
Maria McDevitt
Allison Breda
Kathleen Leary
Laura Syzdek
Vickie Hay
Grace Mayeda
Jim Trujillo
Volunteers
Hayley Henning
Lorena Perez
Mai Le
Heather Sanchez
Lorena Ortega
Project Self-Sufficiency
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Tax ID #33-0597719
307 Placentia Ave, Suite 203 Newport Beach, CA 92663
Located inside the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living
949-478-1914
info@pssoc.org
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Food Insecurity
With the rising cost of living, single parent-students are especially vulnerable to food insecurity. Having to balance school, work, and the needs of their children is a constant struggle, but around the holidays, it becomes even more difficult. Please consider...
Project Self-Sufficiency Orange County
307 Placentia Ave #203, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Administration and Intake: (949) 478-1914
Client Services: (949) 478-1936
Email: info@pssoc.org
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