Who We Are
An advocate for the growth of our clients,
our employees, and our community
About Us
Building Promising Futures Together
Martha J. Morrissey,
Founder
Promising Futures Inc. was founded through a personal journey of a mother navigating life with her daughter, Tiffany, who was diagnosed with autism at a time when few understood the condition. Driven by love and a determination to help her daughter thrive, she immersed herself in a journey of learning, and exploring therapiesβgaining hands-on experience and building a fifty year foundation of knowledge in behavioral support and individualized care.
Over time, her work in private schools and developmental programs exposed her to both effective practices and deeply troubling care systems. As her daughter grew older, so did her urgency to create safe, nurturing living environmentsβespecially after witnessing firsthand neglect, overmedication, and abuse often found in institutional settings and small living environments. Fueled by these painful experiences and a desire to ensure that vulnerable individuals who need protection, would find safe living environments and that model of protection is implemented throughout Promising Futures Inc. residential homes and day treatment programs.
With encouragement from mentors and guidance from her faith, she applied for and was awarded a grant to open the first Promising Futures homeβdespite initial doubts and the challenges of starting from scratch. A powerful moment of spiritual clarity and confirmation gave her the strength to move forward. What began as a motherβs mission has grown into a thriving organization that has served families challenged with developmental disabilities for over 40 years.
Through Godβs faithfulness and inspiration, He built three homes, the last home to serve individuals her daughters age. Faithful donors, dedication of remarkable staff and the support of the community, have made it possible to provide a rich environment of learning, experience the dignity of independance and the satisfaction of a jobwell done, while maintaining safe environment with compassionate care that enriches lives and empowers people every day.
Our Mission
Promising Futures mission is to deliver premier, person-centered services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a focus on behavioral needs. Through Individualized programs, we foster independence, dignity, life skills and meaningful community inclusion, empowering every individual to reach their fullest potential.
Our Vision
To build a thriving, inclusive community where individuals with disabilities live full lives, families feel supported, staff feel inspired, and every person is empowered to reach their highest level of independence and belonging.
What We Stand For
Empowerment
We focus on each personβs strengths and help build the skills to bring out their full potential, cheering them on along the way.
Personalization
With a 1:3 staff-to-client ratio, we give each person the personalized support they need to thrive.
Inclusion
Everyone is welcomed and respected, with opportunities to participate in ways that feel safe and comfortable for them.
Meet Our Dedicated Team
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Gina Parra
Executive Director
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Jennifer Valencia
CIA Director
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Tanner Harvey
Art Director
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Alex Watson
CIA Program Administrator
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Makaila Jenkins
QIDP
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Johnny Lopez
Director of Finance
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Sherry Pendray
Director of Human Resources
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Ashley Gondek
Transportation Coordinator-Support Specialist
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Elizabeth Guth
Administrative Assistant
Changing Lives, One Step at a Time
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βI am externally grateful for the purpose and meaning Promising Futures provides for our daughter Sonja. Knowing that she is productive and enjoying her days brings us peace and joy and allows me to work with the knowledge she is safe and having a great day. Best ay program ever!β
Mom & Dad Reiner
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βColin has been part of the Promising Futures family for 20+ years. Within 6 months we saw a difference in Colin, and today at 40yrs he is a productive/happy/content guy always with a smile. The personalized support, specialized teaching strategies, and patient, knowledgeable staff helped him grow in confidence and ability. A large part of his success is due to the caring and nurturing staff at both the home and day program, as well as the overlapping IEP development and consistency. Promising Futures absolutely made a difference in our journey. It was a hard decision to put our faith in Promising Futures, but it did not take long to know we made the right decision. Colin has found his niche in the world because of Promising Futures.β
The Gilley Family
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βWe are incredibly grateful for the support and care provided by Promising Futures for many years now. The staff is exceptionally patient and kind and ensures that Kier is engaged and challenged in the program. He is always treated with dignity and respect. The staff knows what Kier likes and incorporates those preferences into his program, making his experiences enjoyable and fulfilling.
Our family benefits greatly from the several hours of respite most weekdays, allowing us to refresh and better care for Kier. The staff keeps Kier safe, and the training and education program for him is structured and well-executed.
Thank you for making such a positive impact on Kier and our family.β
The Williams Family
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βPromising Futures is an organization providing services for adults with various disabilities comprising of a residential and day program. Our son is fortunate to be a participant in both programs. We appreciate the daily exchange of communication between the programs. Clients are treated with dignity and taught to be independent to the best of their abilities. During our sonβs time at the programs, we have seen much growth and improvement. We are relieved to have found this gem of a program. We feel at ease to travel knowing our son will be in excellent hands. This program offers hope for families looking for peace of mind.β
The Eng Family
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βPromising Futures was already started when we desperately applied to place our daughter Staci. Both Mom and I had to work in order to pay the bills and try to keep Staci in school. She was a handful, and the special ed teachers at the time, did not have the skills to deal with Staciβs rants, physical confrontations, and meltdowns. When Staci was accepted and moved out of our home and into a new home, and shared her new shelter with 5 boys, Mom and I had mixed emotions. Promising Futures changed all of our lives as it brought Staci a safe place to live with regulations put into place that brought Staci special medical attention and care, a learning place to mentally grow and deal with everyday life. Promising Futures also brought us as parents, peace of mind when it comes to Staciβs well being.β
The Wismont Family
Commonly Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for any programs?
No. Weβre a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and our programs are supported through funding from the San Diego Regional Center, as well as community donations.
Do I have to be a resident to participate in the CIA?
No, the Center for Independent Achievement (CIA) day program is open to both residents and non-residents. Participants must be a client of the San Diego Regional Center in order to partake. Many participants live at home or in other supported settings and attend CIA during the day.
Letβs Stay Connected!
Dance moves, big smiles, and lots of fun! ππΊπΆ Our members love getting their groove on in dance class! Nothing beats moving to the music and having a great time with friends! πβ¨
#PromisingFutures #DanceClass #MoveAndGroove
Celebrating 40 years of Promising Futures while looking ahead to what the future holds! πβ¨
As we celebrate four decades of serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we are also looking toward the next chapter of our mission.
Recently, we had the …pleasure of gathering for a special celebration lunch with our incredible partners at @amplifiedimpactpartners, who have played an instrumental role in guiding our strategic planning process. Through their expertise, collaboration, and dedication, they have helped us establish meaningful, tangible goals that will help shape the next 40 years of Promising Futures!
We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff who made this process possible. Despite their busy schedules and daily responsibilities supporting our members in so many different ways, they made the time to prioritize our future, share their unique perspectives, and contribute their ideas to our strategic planning efforts. Their voices, experiences, and commitment to our mission are invaluable as we continue to grow.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed to this journey. The future of Promising Futures is something we are building together!
Hereβs to honoring the past, celebrating the present, and creating an even brighter future for the next 40 years! π
#PromisingFuturesInc #40YearsOfPromisingFutures #AmplifiedImpactPartners #StrategicPlanning #StrongerTogether
π¨β¨ Picture-perfect moments from our Paint & Sip!
Creativity, laughter, and beautiful artwork filled the room as our guests put their own artistic touches on their canvases during our Turn the Page Art Show!
We loved seeing everyone embrace their creativity and make …lasting memories while celebrating 40 years of Promising Futures! π
A huge thank you to @hookedonpainting for helping us bring this experience to life and to everyone who joined in on the fun!
#PromisingFuturesInc #TurnThePage #PaintAndSip #40YearsOfPromisingFutures #ArtBringsUsTogether
What an incredible day celebrating 40 years of Promising Futures! π¨β¨
From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for our Turn the Page Art Show and helped make this event such a success!
To our dedicated staff, talented artists, generous donors, …sponsors, volunteers, community partners, families, and everyone who contributed in any way, we are beyond grateful for your support. Events like this would not be possible without the incredible community that continues to stand behind our mission.
Most importantly, thank you for showing up to celebrate our members, their creativity, and the amazing artwork they worked so hard to share with you all! π
We have so many special moments to share, and more photos are coming soon! For now, we extend our most heartfelt thank you to our community for making this celebration one to remember.
Hereβs to 40 years of Promising Futures and many more chapters ahead! πβ¨
#growingwithpromisingfutures #promisingfutures #turnthepage #eastcountysandiego #lifeatpfi
π¨β¨ TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY! β¨π¨
The wait is almost over! Weβre just ONE day away from our βTurn the Pageβ 40th Anniversary Art Show! ππ
After months of creativity, preparation, and hard work, weβre so excited to welcome our community for an unforgettable …celebration of art, inclusion, and 40 incredible years of Promising Futures!
Join us for an afternoon filled with amazing artwork created by our talented members, live music, raffle prizes, food, fun activities, and so much more!
π
Tomorrow, October 17th
β° 2:00 PM β 6:00 PM
π 145 E. Lexington Ave., El Cajon
ποΈ FREE Admission!
Bring your friends and family, spread the word, and come celebrate this special milestone with us!
We canβt wait to see everyone tomorrow! πβ¨
#PromisingFutures #TurnThePage #40thAnniversary #ArtShow #ElCajon
π¨β¨ A Sneak Peek at Our Silent Auction! β¨π¨
Our Turn the Page Art Show is almost here, and we have some incredible items up for grabs in our first ever silent auction! π
Every bid helps support Promising Futures, Inc. and our mission of enriching the lives of adults …with intellectual and developmental disabilities. π
Join us Saturday, October 17th, from 2β6 PM as we celebrate 40 years of Promising Futures! Donβt miss your chance to take home something special while supporting a meaningful cause.
π Check out our silent auction through the link on our website and start bidding!
#TurnThePageArtShow #PromisingFuturesInc #SilentAuction #CommunitySupport #40YearsOfPromisingFutures
A huge thank you to @harlandbeer for their generous donation of beverages for our upcoming Turn the Page Art Show! π»π¨
Community partnerships and the support of local businesses like Harland Brewing Co play such an important role in bringing our celebration to life. We are incredibly …grateful for their generosity and commitment to supporting our mission!
Thank you for helping us make this yearβs 40th anniversary celebration one to remember! π
4 days away! Visit our website for more info!π¨
#PromisingFuturesInc #TurnThePageArtShow #HarlandBrewing #CommunitySupport #40YearsOfPromisingFutures
π¨β¨ A little behind-the-scenes look at our talented artists hard at work preparing for our βTurn the Pageβ 40th Anniversary Art Show!
Each piece showcases the creativity, individuality, and dedication of our incredible members, and we canβt wait to share their masterpieces with …you! π
π Only 4 days to go!
π
Saturday, October 17th | 2β6 PM
π 145 E. Lexington Ave., El Cajon
ποΈ FREE Admission!
Come celebrate 40 years of Promising Futures and the amazing artists who make it all possible! β¨
Visit the link in our bio for more info!
#promisingfutures #growingwithpromisingfutures #turnthepageartshow #40yearsofpromisingfutures #elcajon
π¨β¨ JUST 5 DAYS UNTIL WE TURN THE PAGE! β¨π¨
The excitement is building, and weβre officially counting down the final days until our 40th Anniversary Art Show! ππ
Our talented artists have spent countless hours bringing their creativity to life, and we are so …excited to finally share their incredible work with our community!
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon filled with beautiful artwork, live music, raffle prizes, food, fun activities, and so much more as we celebrate 40 years of Promising Futures!
π
Saturday, October 17th
β° 2:00 PM β 6:00 PM
π 145 E. Lexington Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020
ποΈ FREE ADMISSION!
Bring your friends, bring your family, and help us celebrate the amazing artists and individuals who make Promising Futures so special!
Interested in our Paint & Sip experience or other event offerings? Visit the link in our bio for more information and reservations!
Help us spread the word by sharing this post! We canβt wait to celebrate with you! π
#PromisingFutures #TurnThePage #40YearsOfPromisingFutures #ArtShow #ElCajon
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! Only 8 days until we Turn the Page! π¨ποΈ
We are officially counting down the days until Turn the Page: Promising Futuresβ 40th Anniversary Art Show! π
Next Saturday, October 17th, we invite our incredible community to join us for an unforgettable …afternoon celebrating 40 years of creativity, inclusion, and endless possibilities!
Our talented artists have been hard at work bringing their artistic visions to life, and we cannot wait to showcase their creativity, individuality, and incredible accomplishments. Every piece of artwork tells a story, and we are so excited to share those stories with YOU! π
π¨ Hereβs what you can look forward to:
β¨ Beautiful, one-of-a-kind artwork created by our members
πΆ Live music by @ringsandrumors
ποΈ Our first-ever Paint & Sip experience with @hookedonpainting *beginning at 3 pm
ποΈ Raffle prizes valued at over $2,000 *beginning at 4:30 pm
π An exciting silent auction
π¨ Face painting, craft activities, and entertainment
π½οΈ @pizzabilities_ food truck, drinks, and so much more!
π
Saturday, October 17, 2026
β° 2:00 PM β 6:00 PM
π 145 E. Lexington Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92020
ποΈ FREE admission and open to the community!
Want to make your experience even more memorable? Visit the link in our bio to explore our special event packages, reserve your spot for Paint & Sip, and learn more about everything we have planned!
As we enter our final week of preparations, we are filled with excitement and gratitude for everyone helping bring this celebration to life.
The final countdown has officially begun! Whoβs joining us next Saturday?! ππ
#TurnThePage2026 #PromisingFuturesInc #40YearsOfPromisingFutures #ArtShowCountdown #InclusionThroughArt
Celebrating Women in Leadership!π
Promising Futures, Inc. was honored to attend the 24th Annual Women in Leadership Luncheon (WILL), hosted by the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce, celebrating the remarkable women whose leadership, dedication, and achievements continue… to make a lasting difference throughout San Diego County.
@sdeccc
We are especially proud to recognize our CEO, Gina Parra, and our Registered Nurse, Heather Sossong, who were both nominated for this prestigious recognition! In addition to their nominations, both women received official Certificates of Recognition from the County of San Diego, honoring their exemplary character, integrity, and leadership within our community.
Gina and Heather embody the compassion, strength, and commitment that drive our mission at Promising Futures. Through their dedication to uplifting others and advocating for the members we serve, they continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our members, their families, and our entire organization.
A heartfelt thank you to the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce for bringing our community together to celebrate the achievements of inspiring women leaders and to the County of San Diego for recognizing their outstanding contributions.
Please join us in congratulating Gina and Heather on this well-deserved recognition! Their dedication, compassion, and leadership continue to inspire those around them and reflect the heart of everything we strive to accomplish at Promising Futures. π
#PromisingFuturesInc #WomenInLeadership #WILL2026 #EastCountyChamber #WomenWhoLead