The Project

Project Self-Sufficiency assists low-income, single parents in achieving economic independence from governmental assistance through a network of community and county services.  It is coordinated through the Community Services Department and both public and private agencies are involved in the program.  The public sector, involved through the Project Self-Sufficiency Task Force/Single Parent Network of Orange County, coordinates access to resources, such as housing subsidies, child care, education, job training and a variety of other benefits.  The private sector is involved through the Project Self-Sufficiency Foundation, a nonprofit organization with non-profit 501(c)3 status.  The purpose of the foundation is to raise funding for child care, transportation, tuition, job training, and other needed services.  Rental assistance is provided through the Orange County Community Housing Corporation (OCCHC), while job training and educational resources are provided by a variety of public and private entities.  Project Self-Sufficiency began in 1985, when the city participated in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s national Project Self-Sufficiency Program.  Since then, the Huntington Beach program has gained national recognition as one of the best in the country. 

The Participants

Project Self-Sufficiency parents must be single, underemployed, and highly motivated to work toward achieving a career which will support their family.   Applicants must live or work in the City of Huntington Beach or be referred to the program from a shelter in Orange County.  Each Project Self-Sufficiency parent benefits by defining their goals and building a reasonable strategy with their staff representative.  These strategies include education, job training, employment, housing, child care, finances, and addressing personal issues.  Parents are encouraged to become involved in the community and support each other by attending monthly meetings where guest speakers share information and support.  Participation in the program's committees is also encouraged.  Project Self-Sufficiency participants usually realize new self-esteem on their way to becoming economically self-sufficient.  Eventually participants no longer need public assistance for food, housing and child care.  Their ability to contribute acquired skills and efforts to the overall community increases resulting in substantial savings for taxpayers.

The Community

To ensure the success of Project Self-Sufficiency, it is vital that the community play a role in its implementation.  Private and nonprofit agencies and individuals can assist in the following ways:

• Child care scholarships
• Clothing donations
• Education scholarships
• Food donations
• Furniture donations
• Job training and placement
• Mentor programs
• Volunteer services

All contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by the law.  For further information, please contact Project Self-Sufficiency at (714) 536-5439.

To link to the Project Self-Sufficiency Foundation Website, click here.