Project Self-Sufficiency

Parents and caregivers are invited to attend free in-person parenting skills workshops at Project Self-Sufficiency to learn practical strategies for addressing common parenting challenges with children. The workshops will help participants identify their parenting goals, manage behavioral problems, and promote healthy child development by using the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, a comprehensive education initiative targeted to parents, healthcare professionals, educators, and caregivers of infants, toddlers, and school-aged children.    In-person sessions will be held at 5:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency; pizza and childcare will be available. Attendees will receive a gift card for participating.   Targeted parenting workshops will address a wide range of topics, including: ·        Power of Positive Parenting, November 6th ·        Raising Resilient Children, November 13th. ·        Raising Confident, Competent Children, November 20th.   “These workshops will give parents, caregivers, and educators simple and practical strategies to help build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage children’s behavior, and reduce stress,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.   Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, or register online, https://lnkd.in/eT_QBKnR.

Project Self-Sufficiency will host a free, virtual Family Law seminar on Thursday, November 14th, 7:00 p.m., with attorney Natalie Thompson.  Participants will discuss child support, grounds for divorce, court procedures, alimony, parenting time, equitable distribution of assets, and other topics related to divorce. The presentation, which will be offered through Zoom, is free and open to the public; interested attendees should call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, for log-in details. The agency’s legal seminar series is a program of the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency and is funded by the New Jersey Department of Children & Families.

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer three workshops during November regarding adverse childhood experiences with the goal of educating the public, supporting trauma survivors, and offering tips for prevention and healing within the community. The workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, which facilitates the conversation about issues surrounding childhood trauma, will be offered virtually over Zoom in English, Tuesday, November 12th, 2:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Wednesday, November 13th, 2:00 p.m. A virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation on Wednesday, November 20th, 2:00 p.m., will address the neurological and biological effects of adversity on development and its corresponding impact on the health of the overall population. Tips for protection, prevention, and promoting resilience within the community will also be discussed. All workshops are free and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to receive log-in details.    The Connections Matter curriculum invites providers, parents, and community members to build caring connections to improve resiliency. Discussion during the workshops will focus on understanding adverse childhood experiences and demonstrating how caring connections can serve as a primary buffer in the negative effects of trauma. The training is appropriate for parents and providers raising and teaching school aged children.   During the Understanding ACEs workshop, parents, caregivers, and other community providers will learn how childhood trauma impacts physical and neurological development and discuss methods for improving health and well-being across the lifespan. All three workshops are funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey.    Speakers will address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social, emotional, and cognitive development, and offer tips and strategies for building resilience. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are widely recognized as falling into three distinct categories, abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Examples of negative behavior said to result from ACEs include smoking, alcoholism, drug use, absenteeism, and lack of physical activity. These behaviors can cause a cascade of physical and mental health problems, from diabetes to cancer to suicidal thoughts. It is estimated that approximately 67% of the population has experienced at least one adverse childhood experience.   Project Self-Sufficiency is bringing together professionals, providers, and parents who are committed to increasing awareness of the impact of childhood trauma on juvenile development, future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. 

Caitlin shares how her experiences as an employee at Project Self-Sufficiency inspire her every day. Want a job that makes a difference in our community? Apply now! https://lnkd.in/egMrE_G

Project Self-Sufficiency has earned a prestigious endorsement from Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc., (PATNC) as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate, making it one of the top-performing home visiting affiliates within Parents as Teachers’ international network. The official designation was made in October 2024.   Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that Project Self-Sufficiency is a high-quality member of the home visiting field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity. Families in Sussex and Hunterdon Counties are positively impacted by the services delivered by this program.   The program includes home visits, group connections, child screening, and connections to community resources. It equips parents with knowledge and resources to prepare their children for a stronger start in life and greater success in school.   “To earn the Blue Ribbon Endorsement, we underwent a rigorous self-study and review process from the National Center. The process confirms that we are meeting Parents as Teachers’ standards of fidelity and quality,” said Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “Blue Ribbon Affiliates are exemplary programs, delivering the highest quality services to children and families.”   Implementation with quality and fidelity is vital in home-visiting programs as it determines a program’s effectiveness in accomplishing its original goals and intended outcomes. It also verifies that a program is being implemented as designed. Parents as Teachers’ rigorous endorsement process demonstrates an affiliate's accountability and credibility to the community, its funders, elected officials, and the partner organizations with which they work.    “We are looking forward to strengthening our outreach to mothers of young children in need and continuing to help these families to develop the skills they need for success,” added Berry-Toon.   In addition to Parents as Teachers, Project Self-Sufficiency offers the Nurse Family Partnership® program to pregnant women who are expecting their first child in Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties. Personal nurses visit participants in their homes throughout the pregnancy, immediately after birth and during infancy and early childhood. All Project Self-Sufficiency home visitation programs are free, voluntary, and confidential.    Participants in the agency’s family support programs receive free parenting tips, baby items, information about childhood health, childhood development assessments, and other topics from certified nurses or family support workers. The programs combine one-on-one discussions with educational outings for mothers and children to help parents boost literacy levels, address health issues, and help prevent potential developmental delays. 

Project Self-Sufficiency is currently seeking monetary donations and gift cards to local stores to be distributed to senior citizens as part of the agency’s Earth Angels initiative. During mid-December, students in the New Jersey Youth Corps high school diploma program at Project Self-Sufficiency will stuff festive bags with the cards and gifts; the items will be delivered by volunteers and Project Self-Sufficiency staff to homebound seniors during the week leading up to Christmas. Along with monetary contributions, the agency is seeking the donation of gift cards from local retailers, including Kohl’s, Shop Rite, Stop & Shop, Wal-Mart, Weis and the hair salons at the Homestead and Liberty Towers senior residences.    Newton attorney Elenora L. Benz, Esquire, originated the Earth Angels program in 1999 by enlisting the support of her staff member Mary Jones, along with clients, business colleagues, and community volunteers.  The initiative was taken over by Project Self-Sufficiency in 2017.  Although most Earth Angels recipients reside in Newton’s Liberty Towers and Frankford’s Homestead, senior citizens in other parts of the county have been added every year as the program expanded.   “The Earth Angels program invites all of us to demonstrate compassion for those in our community who may feel overlooked or forgotten during the busy rush of the holiday season,” comments Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “Our vulnerable seniors need our support, and we are extremely gratified by the outpouring of concern shown by those who donate to this valuable service year after year.”   “This year we expect to bring holiday cheer to more than 100 senior citizens in our area,” remarked Earth Angels Project Coordinator Alice Prendergast. “This program also gives us the opportunity to meet with our older neighbors, find out what they need, and introduce them to the services we offer throughout the year.”   Monetary donations can be made online at https://lnkd.in/e_iWtPu or by making out a check to “Project Self-Sufficiency” and indicating “Earth Angels” on the memo line. Donations of checks and gift cards can be dropped off at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street, Newton. To register to receive gifts from the Earth Angels program, or to find out more information, call Alice Prendergast at Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500.

What are you doing tomorrow? Get FREE baby items, information, and more at the Baby Beginnings, Baby & Parenting Fair, 10am - noon, at Project Self-Sufficiency. Prizes, raffles, and giveaways galore. Call 973-940-3500 to register.

TODAY! Don't miss the FREE Career & Health Fair, 10am - 2pm. On-the-spot job interviews with 45 employers, eye exams, flu shots, Covid vaccines, and more. Giveaways, too! Project Self-Sufficiency,127 Mill Street, Newton.

Project Self-Sufficiency has launched a new series of Baby and Parenting Fairs to help pregnant women and parents of young children to access the resources they need to be successful. Monthly “Baby Beginnings, Baby & Parenting Fairs” will feature targeted discussions, along with free baby items, prizes and giveaways.  Interested participants are invited to gather on Friday, October 18th, 10:00 a.m. – noon, to learn about prenatal and postpartum nutrition. Prenatal fitness, early childhood development, effective bedtime routines, and positive parenting techniques will also be addressed. Lunch will be provided. Pregnant women and parents of young children are invited to call 973-940-3500 to register.   “We are excited to be offering these innovative and fun monthly gatherings to the community,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “Pregnant women and parents of young children have a great need for accurate information about a host of topics, and these Baby Beginnings Fairs will allow them to receive up-to-date parenting advice, as well as free items for baby and family.”   To register for the free Baby Beginnings Fairs, to discuss your parenting needs, or to find out more about other programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500. 

Project Self-Sufficiency will host a free, virtual Family Law seminar on Thursday, October 17th, 7:00 p.m., with attorney Mariann Murphy.  Participants will discuss child support, grounds for divorce, court procedures, alimony, parenting time, equitable distribution of assets, and other topics related to divorce. The presentation, which will be offered through Zoom, is free and open to the public; interested attendees should call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, for log-in details. The agency’s legal seminar series is a program of the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency and is funded by the New Jersey Department of Children & Families.