IN THE NEWS
The Extraordinary Lives Foundation is humbled and honored to have been featured in countless publications, shining a spotlight on our mission to improve children’s mental health and emotional wellness. Explore our press coverage to learn more about the impact we are making and the extraordinary lives we are changing. Stay updated with the latest news and stories of inspiration as we continue our journey towards creating a brighter future for future generations.
Press & Media
young kim: Reps. Kim, Watson Coleman Lead Resolution Recognizing National Children’s Emotional Wellness Month
September 2024
U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize September as National Children’s Emotional Wellness Month and to increase public awareness on the emotional health and mental wellness challenges that children and teenagers face.
o.c. register: extraordinary lives foundation earns silver telly award for short-animated film
June 2024
Extraordinary Lives Foun- dation has earned a Silver Telly award for Social Video/ Art Direction for its short- animated film “Piggie Bear and The Lost Star.” The awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens. The film was selected from some 13,000 entries.
PATCH.COM: Children's Mental Health Nonprofit Wins Coveted Telly Award
June 2024
Extraordinary Lives Foundation announced that its short-animated film “Piggie Bear and The Lost Star” received the Silver Telly award for Social Video/Art Direction in the recent 45th annual Telly Awards.
Newsbreak california: Mental Health Nonprofit is Founded as a Result of Tragedy
May 2024
A first-person account of a mom's response to the Isla Vista Shooting in Santa Barbara and how that experience led Mara James to establish The Extraordinary Lives Foundation.
The Capistrano Dispatch: Challenges Inspire Nonprofit for Emotional Wellness
May 2024
Emerging from significant tragedy and distress, ELF has grown to impact many children and families today. James hopes to continue giving back through ELF, and expanding its programs to reach more individuals.
Garden Grove Channel 3 TV: Piggie Bear in the Annual Strawberry Festival Parade
May 2024
Piggie Bear and Mara James, the Founder and CEO of Extraordinary Lives Foundation, were honored to participate in the 2024 Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Parade! Check out footage from live event coverage to see Piggie Bear and Mara in action!
patch.com: Actress/Comedian Caroline Rhea Headlines Comedy Night Fundraiser
October 2023
Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF) supporters generated over $220K during the nonprofit’s sixth annual Comedy Night fundraising gala on September 27. Held at the scenic Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, 220 guests enjoyed an evening of fun and laughter featuring comedian/actress Caroline Rhea, comedian Eric Schwartz and comedian/host Jennifer Arundale.
patch.com: Resolution Declares September Children’s Emotional Wellness Month
September 2023
Authored by Assemblywoman Laurie Davies and backed by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, the house resolution was presented by Davies to ELF founder and CEO Mara James at the state capital in Sacramento on September 1, 2023.
patch.com: Extraordinary Lives Foundation Recognized by Ca State Treasurer
June 2023
State Treasurer Fiona Ma today applauded House Resolution 31, authored by California Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson (AD 60, Moreno Valley) and passed by the California State Assembly, proclaiming May 2023 as Mental Health Awareness Month.
NBC Los Angeles Channel 4 TV: Teaching Toddlers How to Cope With Stress
December 2022
The founder of a local non profit shows us ways we can teach toddlers how to cope with stress.
mission viejo news: City Council meeting highlighted awareness for children’s mental health
May 2023
May 7-13 was proclaimed by the Council to be Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week in recognition that addressing the emotional and mental health needs of children and youth today is fundamental to the future.
Newport Beach Independent: ELF to Host Pickleball Fundraiser for Children’s Mental Health
February 2023
Participants united with Extraordinary Lives Foundation, Investors Philanthropic, and Joy of Giving nonprofit initiatives to raise funds to support children's mental health and wellness programs in Orange County and beyond.
Southern California's News Group: ways to help kids with anxiety
September 2022
Is your kid feeling anxious and unsettled? Have them do some good, old-fashioned jumping jacks. That’s the recommendation from Mara James, founder of mental health awareness nonprofit, Extraordinary Lives Foundation in Orange County, along with Renata Ururahy, founder and practitioner at Body-Mind Healing Center in Dana Point.
NOTE: This article is no longer available to view online.
ParentingOC: COVID Anxieties
June 2022
Mara James created the HUGS for Life Healing Center to bridge the gap between medical professionals and approved holistic healers. James says that there are several healing modalities that can help relieve fear and anxiety that is stored on a physical, cellular, or subconscious level.
CISION: ELF Founder and CEO Releases Children's Book Timed to Mental Health Awareness Month
May 2022
Piggie Bear's Power of Happiness by Mara James and illustrated by Matthew Mew is a new picture book that provides a much-needed resource for mental health awareness and childhood emotional intelligence (EQ).
Laguna Beach City News: Mental Health Proclamation
May 2022
The Laguna Beach City Council Recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Extraordinary Lives Foundation Founder and CEO Mara James and Board Member Alexis Gomez joined Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf for the proclamation.
NOTE: This article is no longer available to view online.
South County Magazine
May 2022
Mara James is on a mission. The San Clemente resident and founder of Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF) has a goal for Piggie Bear – the character she created to empower children – to be the national face for children’s mental health and wellness, like Smokey Bear is to wildfire prevention campaign.
patch.com: Extraordinary Lives Foundation Comedy Night Fundraising Success
October 2021
Comedy Night Fundraiser Featuring Fritz Coleman Nets Over $60K for Children's Mental Health and Wellness,
O.C. Register: Ex-weatherman Fritz Coleman helps others whose families deal with mental illness
October 2021
Longtime local forecaster shares the personal story of his son's struggle, helping OC non-profit, Extraordinary Lives Foundation, raise awareness of children's well being.
patch.com: Laguna Niguel Resident/Nonprofit Leader Joins Mental Health Board
April 2021
Extraordinary Lives Foundation Founder/CEO Mara James Appointed to Orange County's Behavioral Health Board.
kcal news Channel 9 TV: How to Navigate the Holidays When dealing with Mental Health
December 2020
Mara James, founder of Extraordinary Lives Foundation, shares tips for dealing with anxiety, depression and more.
Awards & Accolades
The 45th annual Telly Awards
Silver Telly Winner in Social Video - Art Direction
The Extraordinary Lives Foundation is thrilled and honored to be awarded with a 2024 Silver Telly Awards for Social Video Production in Art Direction for our short animated film, Piggie Bear and the Lost Star. This is an incredible achievement as we were ranked among 13,000 entries with the chosen winners representing the most innovative stories being told across all screens. Telly Award winners represent work from some of the most respected advertising agencies, television stations, production companies and publishers from around the world.
The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 to honors excellence in video and television across all screens. Today, The Telly Awards celebrate the best work in the video medium in an exciting new era of the moving image on and offline.
2024
Women Who Inspire
Presented by Senator Catherine Blakespear
2023 + 2024
Orange County Inspirational Women
Presented by the Los Angeles Times
2023
Women Making a Difference
Presented by Katrina Foley - Orange County Fifth District Board Supervisor
2022
OC Visionary - Mara James
Presented by the Los Angeles Times
2021
Women in Business
Presented by the Los Angeles Times
2020
Innovator of the
Year Award
Presented by the
Orange County Business Journal
2019
Certificate of Special Recognition to Improve the Quality of Life of O.C. Residents Impacted by Mental Illness
Presented by the U.S. Congress,
House of Representatives
2019
Mental Health Association of Orange County Honors - Mara James
2018
Mental Health Community Services Award Nominee - Mara James
2017
Certificate of Special Recognition for Supporting Children’s Mental Health & Wellness
Presented by the Office of
Congresswoman Mimi Walters
Presented by the Office of
Congressman Daniel E. Issa