Welcome to On My Own
About Us
Founded by Parents. Driven by Purpose. Inspired by Hannah.
At On My Own, our mission is personal.
We are the proud parents of our daughter, Hannah, a remarkable young woman with a disability who has inspired us every step of the way. Like many families, we have experienced both the joys and challenges of helping a loved one navigate adulthood, pursue independence, build meaningful relationships, and find employment opportunities.
Through years of advocacy, encouragement, skill development, and unwavering support, Hannah has achieved many milestones, including maintaining employment as a Customer Service Representative at Publix for more than ten years. Watching her grow in confidence, independence, and purpose showed us what is possible when individuals with disabilities are provided with the right opportunities and support.
Hannah's journey inspired us to create On My Own.
Our vision is simple: to ensure that other adults with disabilities have access to the same opportunities to learn, grow, work, connect, and thrive. We founded On My Own to help individuals develop the skills, confidence, and support systems needed to live more independently and fully participate in their communities.
Today, our programs provide independent living skills training, employment readiness and job coaching, health and wellness education, social engagement opportunities, community service experiences, and recreational activities that promote personal growth and self-confidence. Every program is designed to empower individuals to discover their strengths, achieve their goals, and experience the joy that comes from greater independence.
We believe that every person deserves the opportunity to live a life filled with purpose, dignity, choice, and belonging. Most importantly, we believe that a disability does not define a person's potential.
From Inequity to Opportunity
More than 70 million adults in the United States live with a disability. Despite their talents, strengths, and contributions, many continue to face significant barriers to employment, independent living, healthcare, and social inclusion.
Too often, adults with disabilities are underestimated. Many experience higher rates of chronic health conditions, social isolation, and unemployment than their peers without disabilities. These challenges can limit opportunities for independence and personal fulfillment.
At On My Own, we are committed to changing that reality.
We see ability, not limitation. Potential, not barriers. Strength, not deficits.
Our programs help adults with disabilities build practical life skills, prepare for employment, improve their health and wellness, develop meaningful friendships, engage in their communities, and achieve goals they may have once thought impossible. Every success story, whether securing a job, moving into a first apartment, learning to cook independently, or building lasting friendships, represents a life transformed.
Together with our families, volunteers, community partners, and donors, we are creating a future where adults with disabilities are empowered to live with greater independence, confidence, and purpose.
Our Values
A Will to Win
We bring optimism, determination, and a spirit of excellence to our programs, our community, and every individual we serve.
Passion
We are committed to nurturing the whole person, supporting growth of the mind, body, heart, and spirit.
Integrity
We act with honesty, compassion, and accountability, always placing the needs and goals of our participants at the center of our work.
Leadership
We courageously advocate for inclusion, opportunity, and positive change within our communities.
Join Us in Transforming Lives
What began as a dream inspired by our daughter Hannah has grown into a mission to serve many others.
Every day, we witness adults with disabilities accomplishing things they once believed were out of reach: securing employment, living more independently, forming meaningful relationships, giving back to their communities, and discovering their own potential.
With your support, we can continue creating opportunities, breaking down barriers, and building a world where every individual is valued, included, and empowered to thrive.
Together, we are turning possibility into reality. 💙
Our Mission
On My Own empowers adults with disabilities to achieve greater independence through life skills training, employment support, community engagement, and meaningful opportunities for personal growth, with the goal of helping every individual thrive at home, at work, and in the community.
On My Own Accomplishments
On My Own creates meaningful opportunities that promote independence, healthy living, social connection, community engagement, and personal growth for adults with disabilities.
Why Support Us?
Our Promise
At On My Own, we believe that every adult with a disability deserves the opportunity to live with independence, purpose, and dignity. Your support helps us provide transformative programs that empower individuals to build skills, gain confidence, foster meaningful relationships, and participate fully in their communities.
Through your generosity, we are able to offer:
- Independent Living Skills Training to promote confidence, self-sufficiency, and daily life success.
- Employment Readiness and Job Skills Training to prepare participants for meaningful, sustainable employment opportunities.
- Social and Recreational Opportunities that foster friendships, inclusion, community engagement, and personal growth.
- Independent Living Housing Exploration and Support to help individuals and families navigate pathways toward greater independence.
Every donation directly supports programs that create opportunities, break down barriers, and help adults with disabilities achieve goals they may have once thought impossible.
Together, we are building a community where ability is celebrated, potential is realized, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive. 💙
Meet the Founders
Kristi Messer
Dr. Kristi Messer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a doctorate degree in Health Sciences from Nova Southeastern University and master’s degrees in public health and social work (MPH, MSW) from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Kristi relocated to Florida in 2010 from Washington D.C where she spent years working with the Department of Health and Human Services to successfully launch community health centers across the nation. As a passionate public health professional, Kristi currently serves the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) as an Assistant Dean and Professor of public health. Kristi worked as a consultant for Special Olympics on the development and implementation of a health and wellness curriculum for adults with disabilities. Prior to her Federal service and academic career as a professor, Kristi was a special education high school teacher and special education advocate/consultant working closely with families to advocate for the educational needs of their children. Kristi has dedicated her professional life to underserved and vulnerable population groups through her involvement with the homeless, individuals with disabilities, communities affected by disasters, and persons impacted by mental illness. Kristi is proud to be a parent of an adult child with intellectual impairment and is a tireless advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Kristi is dedicated to positively impacting children, families, and adults through education, advocacy, and opportunity.
Eduardo Fajardo
On My Own operates under the financial leadership of Eduardo Fajardo. Eduardo is a Senior Vice President of Finance and CFO with more than twenty-five years of senior-level financial management experience in the telecom and banking sectors. Eduardo will represent On My Own in all financial matters by setting fiscal policy and preparing and directing the reporting and analysis of the organization’s financial position. Eduardo is a member of the Project Management Institute and is a certified Project Management Professional. Eduardo is a seasoned educational tutor, helping students to achieve and realize their full academic potential. Eduardo comes to On My Own from Cable & Wireless Communications, where he served for over 20 years as its Vice President of Finance overseeing cash management, capital investments, operational costs across 20 countries in Central America and the Caribbean. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Finance for Avantel in Mexico City. Earlier in his career, he served as Vice President of Operatoins for Banamex in their factoring and auto finance division in Mexico City. He holds a Master of Science degree in Operations Management from Michigan Technological University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, in Mexico City.