Meet Our Scholars.

PSS scholars 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! In 2019, PSS scholars received 9 bachelor’s degrees, 12 associate’s degrees, and 10 transfers to 4-year universities. Four PSS graduates enrolled in master’s programs, and 7 started their new careers. Get to know some of our PSS scholars below. If you are a PSS Alum, consider joining our alumni committee!

Our Clients Are

%

Single Mothers

%

Enrolled in College

%

Single Fathers

%

Full-Time Students

%

Low Income

%

Inadequate Housing

%

OC Students

%

Highly Motivated

PSS Scholar Testimonials

Jessica, Class of 2017, M.S. in Nutritional Science; B.S. in Dietetics and Food Administration

I’m currently a registered dietitian and supervisor of nutrition services at Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District. PSS qualified me to receive stable, low-cost housing for four years. I won at least $15,000 in scholarships from PSS. They helped me purchase a used car and get it serviced at no cost. They provided holiday dinners and gifts for my son during the holidays and his birthday. They enabled priceless connections to other single moms to form friendships and swap babysitting at no cost. They helped me establish relationships with other organizations like Soroptomists and Assistance League, whom I also won $1,000’s and $1,000’s in scholarships from, and gave me the confidence and support to persevere through hardships to achieve my goal.

Lauren, Class of 2017, A.A. in Paralegal Studies

I have my own Legal Document business called Grace Legal Document Assistance. I prepare legal forms for self-represented clients in Family Law cases. PSS helped me reach my goals by providing financial assistance (scholarships) and a monthly pantry where my daughters and I could get basic necessities for our house (soap, toothpaste, etc.). They also provided diapers for my newborn baby, Christmas gifts for my daughters and a Thanksgiving meal for us. They made us feel so loved and wanted. I received valuable academic and life coaching skills. I was always encouraged to do better, to get “A”s and reach my goals. I graduated with honors with a 3.94 GPA and was the graduation speaker for the 2017 Coastline College Commencement Ceremony.

Ann Marie, Class of 2018, B.A. in Criminology, Law and Society

I am currently in the Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning program at UC Irvine. PSS supported me with common occurring problems that single parents students face such as financial subsidies for dental assistance, automobile issues, housing assistance, rent, etc. Additionally, they helped me make the holidays for my daughter more enjoyable by making her and I feel looked over and provided for over the seasons.

PSS has helped largely with my goals, I was a victim of domestic violence, and they helped with a deposit for my apartment so that I could relocate and become safe. They have helped with encouraging actions and shown me that we must help others when we can as well. They also have shown so much kindness to my daughter and me, and I am forever grateful for that! PSS is a great stabilizer and helping hand up, to parents that want to continue their education, and I am so blessed to have found out about an organization like this!

-Client

PSS has been there walking every step of the way with me on my educational journey towards making my goals reality. They provide love, encouragement, support, accountability, and community to their clients. With their textbook grants, childcare grants, annual scholarships, dental care, glasses, and transportation funds/F.V. Tire partnership, PSS has made it possible for me to be successful in my academic career by helping to eliminate the obstacles that might hinder me from getting to and staying in school. In addition, PSS has gone above and beyond to enrich the lives of the children of the families, with their Summer Activity Adopt-A-Family, and Christmas Adopt-A-Family which makes it possible for Santa to come to our house. “Teamwork makes the dream work”

-Client

Become a PSS Scholar

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 scholars.

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