Project Self-Sufficiency

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer virtual parenting workshops for parents with children of all ages, Tuesdays, October 15th – November 26th, 6:00 p.m. Participants will learn how to build positive parenting skills, prevent behavioral problems, and encourage effective anger management. The parenting classes offered by Project Self-Sufficiency follow the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program developed by the American Psychological Association which aims to educate parents and other adults who raise and care for young children about creating environments which protect them from violence.  Classes are co-sponsored by the Journey Family Success Center and Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for Young Children. The sessions are free and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 for log-in details.   “The ACT Raising Safe Kids curriculum is based on the premise that effective parenting is an important factor in preventing behavioral issues and violence,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “We are delighted to continue offering these innovative parenting courses to the general public.”   To register for the free parenting workshops, to discuss your parenting needs, or to find out more about other programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

Area residents are invited to boost their careers and their health by attending an innovative Career & Health Fair hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency, Wednesday, October 16th, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Local employers and educational institutions will be on hand to promote job openings and scholastic opportunities. In addition, flu and covid vaccines will be administered by ACME, vision screenings will be offered by the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and representatives from area healthcare organizations will offer the latest information about the health and well-being of children and families. Additional job searching guidance, such as mock interviews, will be offered to attendees by Project Self-Sufficiency Career Center staff. A gift card will be awarded to a lucky Career & Health Fair attendee. The event is free and open to the public.   “We encourage anyone who is interested in advancing their career and improving their health to attend this unique event,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “In addition to learning about employment opportunities and options for furthering their education, attendees will walk away with tips for better health and wellness, up-to-date vaccinations, and the resources they need to move forward in their job searching process.”   In addition to Project Self-Sufficiency, employers and educational institutions who have already signed on to promote job openings include Abilities of Northwest Jersey; Atlantic Health System; Bayada Home Health Care; Chipotle Mexican Grill; County College of Morris; Cutting Edge Academy; Fulton Bank; Heath Village; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 102 JATC; Mary Kay Cosmetics; Mountain Creek Resort; National Winter Activity Center; New Jersey Army National Guard; New Jersey Judiciary Morris/Sussex Vicinage; New Jersey Department of Labor Business Services, Workforce Development Board of Northwest New Jersey; New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services; New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority; Old Navy; Pathstone Corporation, Senior Community Service Employment Program; RoNetco Supermarkets; SCARC, Inc.; Selective Insurance; TechFlex; Thor Labs; Warren County Correctional Center; and others.   Healthcare experts who will be on hand include ACME; Atlantic Health System’s Newton Medical Center; Center for Family Services; Center for Prevention & Counseling; Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; DASI (Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services); Mental Health Association; Sussex County Department of Health & Human Services; Zufall Health Center; and others.   For more information about the free Career & Health Fair, or to find out more about the programs and services offered by Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or visit https://lnkd.in/e_iWtPu.

Project Self-Sufficiency is soliciting assistance for hundreds of low-income families who need a little extra help this season, by asking area residents and organizations to donate traditional Thanksgiving food, or to donate funds towards the purchase of food. Donors are invited to sponsor a family for only $50 or to make a contribution of their choosing. The agency will gratefully receive pumpkin or apple pies; canned vegetables, including yams and cranberry sauce; dinner rolls; gravy; stuffing and mashed potato mixes. Frozen turkeys will also be accepted; however, donors are asked to alert the agency ahead of time if frozen turkeys will be offered. The non-profit agency is gearing up to distribute complete Thanksgiving dinners to approximately 500 local families this year, so monetary donations are particularly needed.    “Requests for assistance are pouring in every day and we expect to serve more than 500 families this year,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “However, our wonderfully generous community has consistently demonstrated compassion towards our participants during the holidays and we are confident that this year will be no exception. “   Contributions, or notification of the intent to contribute, are requested by Friday, November 15th, to allow ample time to package and distribute the goods to needy families. Frozen turkeys can be delivered on Monday, November 20th, between 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; turkeys cannot be accepted earlier or later due to the lack of refrigerated storage space. Individuals and families who need help at Thanksgiving are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.    Thanksgiving donations will be gratefully accepted at Project Self-Sufficiency which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. To donate, or to find out more about the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500, or visit https://lnkd.in/e_iWtPu.

Project Self-Sufficiency will continue the workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, designed to facilitate the conversation about issues surrounding adverse childhood experiences, with virtual sessions offered over Zoom in English, Tuesday, October 8th, 2:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Wednesday, October 9th, 2:00 p.m. Sessions are free and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to receive log-in details.    Participants will explore the Connections Matter curriculum, a program funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey designed to invite providers, parents, and community members to build caring connections to improve resiliency. Discussion will focus on understanding adverse childhood experiences and demonstrate 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.   Speakers will address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social, emotional, and cognitive development, and offer tips and strategies for building resiliency. 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. “Our goal is to help make our community a place in which every child can thrive by providing education and training on adverse childhood experiences and assuring safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. 

The kids are back in school and now it's time to focus on YOU! Rediscover your potential by enrolling in Project Self-Sufficiency's "Higher Opportunities for Women" program - it's FREE! Call 973-940-3500 or apply online: https://lnkd.in/d8yzvtpG

Local parents are invited to attend an information session about the Journey Family Success Center Parent Advisory Board at Project Self-Sufficiency, Tuesday, September 24th, 5:00 p.m. Organizers are seeking input from families regarding area services, parenting challenges and concerns, and ideas for upcoming events. Family Success Center staff will highlight ways the agency can address issues facing local parents and incorporate feedback into future programs. Dinner and childcare will be provided for those in attendance. The gathering will also be available on Zoom; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to obtain log-in details. Advance registration for the in-person session is required.   “Input from parents is crucial to the success of the Family Success Center and we are excited about offering residents the opportunity to meet area providers, express their concerns about gaps in services, and identify strategies for moving forward,” remarked Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “The Family Success Center has supported Sussex County parents and children for many years. Expanding the Parent Advisory Board will allow us to further respond to the needs of area families and incorporate their suggestions into existing and new programs for the community.”   Those who attend their first meeting of the Journey Family Success Center Parent Advisory Board will be eligible to receive a gift card. Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. For information about the Parent Advisory Board, or to find out more about any of the programs sponsored by the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or visit www.journeyfsc.org.

Parents, caregivers, and other community providers are invited to learn how childhood trauma impacts physical and neurological development and discuss methods for improving health and well-being across the lifespan at a virtual Understanding ACEs workshop hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency, Wednesday, September 25th, 2:00 p.m.  The virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation 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. Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, for log-in details.   Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been identified as contributors to a host of physical and neurological ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, and depression. They are also known to lead to mental illness, neglect, sexual abuse, and a variety of dysfunctional behaviors like substance abuse and domestic violence.   “Protection, prevention, and resilience promotion can profoundly improve health according to recent discoveries in neuroscience, epigenetics, and epidemiology,” remarked Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “The tools identified in this session can positively impact public health, safety, and productivity, and reduce public and private costs now and for future generations.”   The workshop is funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey. The Zoom session is free and open to the public, interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to receive log-in details.

The Hudson Farm Club recently hosted a sporting clay shoot to benefit Project Self-Sufficiency. After lunch, the afternoon’s activities on the 3,800-acre hunting preserve were followed by a magnificent dinner in the facility’s Crow’s Nest event space. Music was provided by the Meant to Be jazz quartet. Project Self-Sufficiency participants Ariana Luna and Adrian Winter gave stirrings presentation about their experiences. Signs were donated by Mark Maruska of Gravity DesignWorks. All proceeds benefited Project Self-Sufficiency’s services for low-income families in Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties.   The Hudson Farm Club has hosted a Sporting Clay Outing on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency for many years. Like a golf outing, the Sporting Clay Outing allowed participants to shoot at an assortment of clay targets available at 20 different locations throughout the sprawling grounds. Each shooting station offered a different presentation of targets, allowing participants to simulate game shooting in a variety of ways. Teams had the opportunity to take aim at 100 clays over the course of 3 ½ hours. The Hudson Farm Club provided cartridges, ear and eye protection, and instruction and guidance tailored to each participant’s experience level.    Many individuals and organizations contributed to the event.  Lunch sponsors included Franklin Mutual Insurance; George’s Salvage Company; and Rich Hoer, Lakeside Construction. The cocktail hour was sponsored by Kathy and Lou Esposito. Dinner sponsors included The Silent Maid 1924; Blake and Cathy Ellman, The Ellman Discovery Foundation; John and Breanne Marchioni; Greg and Sue Murphy; and J.P. Perry, Henry O. Baker Insurance.   Foursome sponsors included Greg Ackerson, Blue Ridge Lumber Company; Chris Barchetto, Smolin, Lupin & Company, LLC; William Dermody IV, Techflex, Inc.; Francis Dunn, IronRidge Wealth Management Group; Edgar Agents, LLC; Staci Grant, Henry O. Baker Insurance; Paris Eliades Law Firm, LLC; The Inganamort Family; Bruce Koerner, Cranes & Equipment; Leo Miller, Henry O. Baker, Insurance; Luke Olenowski, Denville Line Painting; Perona Farms; Ronetco Supermarkets, Inc.; and Angelo Sansano, Henry O. Baker Insurance.   Individual stations were sponsored by Tire King and Dr. Richard Vaz.   The event was augmented by a live auction featuring items donated by Caffe NaVona; The Capital Grille; Joseph Coltelli, Castle Fire Protection, Inc.; Dolores and James Fernandez; Robert Gebhardt, Allied Beverage Group, LLC; Rich Hoer, Lakeside Construction; House Portraits by Sebes; Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; Hudson Farm Club; North Shore House and the van der Haeghen Family; Luke Olenowski; Perona Farms; J.P.Perry, Henry O. Baker Insurance; Rockaway River Country Club; Joe Leifken, Stone Water; and the Sussex County Community College Culinary Institute.  

Enrollment for the next session of the New Jersey Youth Corps program at Project Self-Sufficiency is underway. The sixteen-week program launches in October and gives those who have not completed high school the opportunity to boost their literacy skills, prepare for the high school equivalency exam, obtain on-the-job work experience, and transition into a career, college, or the military. As part of the course, three college credits can be obtained at Sussex County Community College. Interested participants are invited to attend an Open House hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency to learn more about the New Jersey Youth Corps and to complete an application. Open Houses will be held on Tuesdays at noon, September 17th and 24th, and October 1st, 8th, and 15th, and on Thursdays at 4:30 p.m., September 19th, 26th, and October 3rd, 10th, and 17th.   Project Self-Sufficiency is offering a $100 gift card to those who refer a young adult, ages 16 – 25, to the New Jersey Youth Corps training and education program. To receive the gift card, referred individuals must enroll in the program, complete the two-week orientation, and be inducted into the program.   Participants in the New Jersey Youth Corps must be Sussex or Warren County residents, aged 16 – 25, who have not completed high school. The program includes assessments, testing, employability skills training, life skills workshops, academic instruction, community service projects, field trips, and counseling services. Program participants will prepare for the high school equivalency examination and have the opportunity to receive a weekly stipend based on attendance for the full week. Free transportation is provided.    The New Jersey Youth Corps, which is funded by the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development, is also in operation at sites around the state, including Camden, Elizabeth, Jersey City, New Brunswick, Newark, Paterson, Phillipsburg, Pleasantville, Trenton, and Vineland. Those who are interested in learning more about the New Jersey Youth Corps at Project Self-Sufficiency are encouraged to enroll online or by calling 973-940-3500. 

Community members are invited to fine tune their parenting skills by attending a “Hassle-Free Mealtimes with Children” workshop hosted by the Project Sussex Kids General Council, Wednesday, September 18th, 11:00 a.m., at Project Self-Sufficiency. The discussion will highlight strategies from the Triple P Positive Parenting Program and is particularly designed for parents and those who work with parents of young children. Project Self-Sufficiency staff will also provide an update on Project Sussex Kids activities in the community. The meeting is free and open to the public; advance registration is encouraged. Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.