Impact Archives

Illustration of a diverse group of individuals, including a person using a wheelchair, standing together and smiling, symbolizing inclusion and community impact.

2024 – Supporting Over 600 Individuals

PSW June 16, 2024 No Comments

Milestone: Record impact—600 individuals and 200 staffDate: 2024 Today, PSW supports over 500 individuals and employs over 200 staff. Every service is shaped by listening, every plan is made with…

Illustration of four diverse individuals wearing face masks, standing together with eyes closed in reflection, with virus icons in the background representing the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 – COVID Challenges and Resilience

PSW April 16, 2020 No Comments

Milestone: Navigating COVID-19 impactsDate: 2020 When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted every aspect of life, PSW remained steadfast. Staff and leadership acted with courage and compassion, pivoting quickly to virtual supports…

Illustration of a diverse group of smiling individuals standing in front of a stylized tree with orange leaves and a figure with raised arms at its center. The background is warm orange, and the text reads “2000 – 400+ Lives Touched.” The image represents community growth, diversity, and positive impact.

2000 – 400+ Lives Touched

PSW January 16, 2000 No Comments

Milestone: Serving over 400 individualsDate: 2000 As the new millennium began, PSW was serving more than 400 individuals through a diverse and expanding network of programs. This growth was driven…

Illustration of a woman in a wheelchair giving a high-five to a standing man, symbolizing empowerment and community support.

1990s – Independent Living Outreach Launches

PSW March 1, 1990 No Comments

Milestone: Development of Independent Living Outreach ProgramDate: 1990s The 1990s brought a powerful shift with the launch of the Independent Living Outreach Program. Individuals were now being supported to live,…

Illustration of four individuals engaged in various activities—recycling, woodworking, and pottery—set against a green background with icons of gears, a saw, and a handshake. The text reads “1985 – Reaching a New Scale.” The image reflects the expansion of vocational and life skills programs.

1985 – Reaching a New Scale

PSW August 16, 1985 No Comments

Milestone: Workforce grows to 40 staff, serving 160+ individualsDate: Mid-1980s By the mid-1980s, PSW had become a thriving hub of opportunity, employing nearly 40 staff and serving over 160 individuals.…

Illustration depicting the opening of a second site in 1976. A light yellow building labeled “OLIVE” is shown with three people in front — one person in a wheelchair being assisted by another, and a third person greeting them. A transportation van and trees are in the background. The text at the top reads “1976 – Expansion with a Second Site.” The image highlights accessibility and community growth.

1976 – Expansion with a Second Site

PSW June 16, 1976 No Comments

Milestone: Opening of second facility on Olive AvenueDate: 1976 The opening of a second site on Olive Avenue in 1976 was a response to the community’s growing need for access…

Late 1960s – A New Identity Takes Root

PSW June 16, 1969 No Comments

Milestone: Formation of a Board of Directors and mission expansionDate: Circa 1969 As the decade closed, PSW formalized its leadership through the formation of a Board of Directors and a…

1965 – PSW Gains a Permanent Home

PSW June 16, 1965 No Comments

Milestone: City grants long-term lease for new propertyDate: 1965 When the City of Porterville granted PSW a long-term lease, it affirmed that PSW was an organization rooted in integrity and…

1957 – The First Adult Habilitation Program Launches

PSW June 16, 1957 No Comments

Milestone: Opening of adult habilitation programDate: 1957 Just four years after its inception, the organization launched its first adult habilitation program in a repurposed building behind Olive Street School. One…

Illustration of a mother holding her child’s hand, standing together in front of a large heart symbol and clouds in the sky.

1953 – A Mother’s Vision Becomes a Movement

PSW June 16, 1953 No Comments

Milestone: Founding of Porterville Association for Mentally Retarded ChildrenDate: 1953 In 1953, Lupe and Dean Hahn—driven by love and conviction—helped launch a parent-led movement that became the Porterville Association for…

Category: Impact