Project Self-Sufficiency

Want a job close to home where you can make a difference in the community? Join the dynamic team at Project Self-Sufficiency! Work full-time or part-time, with children, teens, or adults! Apply right now: https://lnkd.in/egMrE_G

Project Self-Sufficiency will host a free, virtual Family Law seminar on Thursday, July 18th, 7:00 p.m. featuring attorney Diana Strlovski.  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 is seeking donations of new school supplies for distribution to more than 500 children and teens during the month of August.  This year, organizers are suggesting that donors sponsor a backpack for students in need; a $25 donation will purchase and fill a small backpack with the key supplies needed for elementary school students while a $50 donation will purchase and fill a large backpack with key supplies for middle and high school students. Monetary donations, which allow the agency to purchase supplies in bulk, will be gratefully received at https://lnkd.in/d2JAGp3. For those who prefer to shop, a wish list of items has been prepared, including new backpacks, crayons, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, scissors, pens, spiral notebooks, and loose-leaf paper. Backpacks in solid and neutral colors are preferred. Backpacks and supplies will be distributed to more than 500 students at a festive Back to School Fair in August and at other events throughout the school year.    Those who need backpacks and school supplies are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, to be put on the distribution list. Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. For information about donating school supplies, or to inquire about any of the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit https://lnkd.in/e_iWtPu.

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer three workshops during July 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, July 16th, 2:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Wednesday, July 17th, 2:00 p.m. A virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation on Wednesday, July 31st, 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 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. 

This summer, parents and caregivers are invited to attend free in-person or virtual workshops and discussion groups hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency which will offer practical strategies to address common parenting challenges with children and teens.   The workshops and discussion groups will help participants identify their parenting goals, address 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 to attendees at all in-person sessions. Those who attend six of the workshops will receive a $50 gift card.    Sessions will address a wide range of topics, including: ·        Dealing with Disobedience, July 2nd, 7:00 p.m., via Zoom, and August 22nd, 5:00 p.m., in person. ·        Getting Teenagers to Cooperate, July 9th, 7:00 p.m., via Zoom. ·        The Power of Positive Parenting, July 11th, 5:00 p.m., in person. ·        Managing Fighting & Aggression, July 16th, 7:00 p.m., via Zoom. ·        Raising Resilient Children, July 18th, 5:00 p.m., in person. ·        Reducing Family Conflict with Teens, July 23rd, 7:00 p.m., via Zoom. ·        Raising Confident, Competent Children, July 25th, 5:00 p.m., in person. ·        Hassle-Free Mealtimes with Children, July 30th, 7:00 p.m., via Zoom, and August 29th, 5:00 p.m., in person. ·        Coping with Teenagers’ Emotions, August 6th, 7:00 p.m., via Zoom. ·        Hassle-Free Shopping with Children, August 8th, 5:00 p.m., in person and August 13th, 7:00 p.m., via Zoom. ·        Building Teenagers’ Survival Skills, August 20th, 7:00 p.m., via Zoom. ·        Developing Good Bedtime Routines, September 4th, 5:00 p.m., in person.   An additional workshop series, featuring the “Raising Safe Kids” curriculum developed by the American Psychological Association, will be offered via Zoom on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m., beginning June 25th. This course is designed to teach effective parenting skills and prevent behavioral issues and violence. A certificate of completion is available.   “These programs will give parents, caregivers, and educators simple and practical strategies to help build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage children’s behavior, manage their own anger, 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.

Community members are invited to fine tune their parenting skills by attending a “Dealing with Disobedience” workshop hosted by the Project Sussex Kids General Council, Wednesday, June 19th, 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.

Looking for a way to have an impact in our community? Join our team of dedicated, talented professionals and start changing lives right now! Work with children, teens or adults. Full-time or part-time. Apply now! https://lnkd.in/egMrE_G

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer virtual parenting workshops for parents with children of all ages, Tuesdays June 18th – August 6th, 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. 

Children ages 4 – 10 are invited to participate in Project Vacation, Monday, July 15th – Friday, July 19th, 9:00 a.m. – noon, at Project Self-Sufficiency. This year’s Project Vacation “What will I be When I Grow Up: Jobs in Our Community” will use fun activities, games, crafts, and special guest presentations to explore the varied responsibilities and careers available to today’s young people. The program is free and open to the public, but space is limited, and advance registration is required. Project Vacation will take place at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Community Education Center, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. Project Vacation is a program of the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency. To register, or to find out more information about the summer activities for families at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500. Additional information is available at https://lnkd.in/e_iWtPu.

Know a young parent who could use some help? Get job training, parenting classes, and help with career goals, food, diapers, and more with the Bridges program at Project Self-Sufficiency! Free transportation and childcare, too. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am - noon. Call 973-940-3500 or register online: https://lnkd.in/ehj5GZ2W