Free Bankruptcy Seminar

Steve McNally, Esquire, will discuss the process of filing for bankruptcy, and the options available to those facing overwhelming credit card debt, foreclosure or asset repossession at a free "Bankruptcy" seminar on Thursday, April 14th, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Free and open to the public; registration required.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.

Fresh Food Available through Angel Food Ministries

The coordinators of Angel Food Ministries at Project Self-Sufficiency announce that the next deadline for ordering fresh food through the program is Sunday, April 17th. Orders will be delivered on Saturday, April 23rd, between the hours of 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. The program offers fresh food at bargain prices, allowing recipients to purchase meats, fruits and vegetables, pasta and canned goods for just $28.95 per box. Boxes are designed to assist in feeding a family of four for about a week or a single person for nearly a month. The menu changes each month, and special meals are available for senior citizens and those with food allergies. A typical weekly menu features beef, chicken, ham, fish sticks, pasta, marinara sauce, frozen vegetables, milk, eggs and more. There is no limit to the number of boxes an individual or family can purchase. The organization even takes food stamps. Orders can be placed on line with a credit card at www.angelfoodministries.com or by calling Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500. Payment is made when the order is placed. Deliveries are made on the last Saturday of each month; orders will be processed at that time for the pick-up date the following month. Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.




Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey. The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to improve their lives and the lives of their children while achieving personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability. Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,000 families, including over 30,000 children.



To find out more about the monthly food deliveries by Angel Food Ministries or any of the other programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

Learn how to Tell Fact from Fiction

Jessica Collins, Program Director for the Media Literacy Project, will discuss methods for discerning the truth from the messages conveyed through all types of media at a free presentation on Thursday, April 14th, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Pizza and beverages will be served.  Free and open to the public; registration required.  Call Project Selff-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.

Mother-Son Adventure Night!

Mothers and their sons in kindergarten through third grade are invited to participate in a special Mother-Son Adventure Night at the Sussex County YMCA on Friday, April 8th, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Participants will enjoy relay races, crafts, an obstacle course, tug of war, volleyball games, and more. Pizza and refreshments will be provided. The evening, which is sponsored by the Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency, is free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required. Transportation is available for eligible families from Newton, Hopatcong and Sussex-Wantage. Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.

A Taste of Talent: Dining by Design Offered in April

Sample hors d'oeuvres, entrees and desserts from 32 area restaurants, mingle with the chefs, and bid on the creations of local design firms at this year's "A Taste of Talent: Dining by Design" on Monday, April 11th at Perona Farms.  Tickets sell out quickly.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 for tickets and sponsorship information.

Free Family Law Seminar in Hopatcong

Rebecca Li, Esquire, will discuss grounds for divorce, court procedures, child support, alimony, custody, equitable distribution of assets, and other topics related to divorce at a free Family Law seminar on Thursday, April 7th, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Hopatcong High School.  Free and open to the public; registration required.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.

Computer Classes offered during April

Project Self-Sufficiency will be offering a variety of computer classes in April, including a basic Introduction to Personal Computers, advanced classes in Microsoft Word and Excel, and a course in PowerPoint and Outlook.  The agency offers courses designed specifically for seniors and for men, as well as an Employment Lab and a Job Club.  All classes will take place in the agency’s Career Center, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.   With the exception of the free Careering 101 class, the fee for each course is $10; students must be registered Family Success Center or Project Self-Sufficiency participants.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.

Careers in Journalism and Communications Discussed at Event

Our thanks to New Jersey Herald News Editor Kathy Stevens, WSUS Program Director Maria Lake, Skylands Weekly Host and Producer Melissa Estock, and New Jersey Herald Internet Director and Photographer Amy Paterson for their informative presentations at last night's "Becoming You: Careers in Journalism & Communications" event at Project Self-Sufficiency.  We are grateful for the time you spent with us!

Volunteers Needed at Project Self-Sufficiency

Area residents of all ages are invited to Volunteer Expos at Project Self-Sufficiency on Thursday, March 31st at noon and at 6:00 p.m.  Help is needed with clerical and receptionist duties, landscaping and grounds maintenance, client transportation, food drives, cultural programs, and more.  Visit Project Self-Sufficiency or call 973-940-3500 for more information.

Local Clergy Welcomed to Faith-Based Summit

Project Self-Sufficiency will welcome representatives from local faith-based organizations to an informational gathering on Thursday, March 31st. The clergy and lay leaders from local parishes, synagogues and other houses of worship will be invited to tour the campus, learn about the programs and services available at the non-profit agency, and offer input for future programming. Participants will also be treated to a light breakfast.




“We are looking forward to discussing the activities that we currently offer to homeless and low-income families in our area, and we hope to gather input to incorporate into future programs,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “Many of the families served by Project Self-Sufficiency are members of the churches and synagogues here in our community. Coming together to share insights and offer solutions to the problems faced by these families will only serve to make all of our efforts more cohesive and ultimately more successful.”



Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey. The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to achieve personal and economic self-sufficiency, family stability, and to improve their lives and the lives of their children. Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,000 families, including over 30,000 children.



For information about the Clergy Breakfast, or to find out more about the programs and services offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

Free Bankruptcy Seminar

Dean Sutton, Esquire, will discuss the process of filing for bankruptcy, and the options available to those facing overwhelming credit card debt, foreclosure or asset repossession at a free Bankruptcy seminar on Wednesday, March 30th, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street in Newton.  Free and open to the public; registration required.  Call 973-940-3500 to register.

Free Legal Consultations Available

Free one-on-one meetings with an attorney are available on Thursday evenings between the hours of 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.  Consultations are scheduled at 45- minute intervals with members of the Sussex County Bar Association. The sessions are free and open to Sussex County residents who meet income-eligibility guidelines; advance registration is required.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.

Little Sprouts Greet Celebrity Reader Kathy Cafasso

The pre-school class at the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center was recently treated to a visit by Celebrity Reader Kathy Cafasso who shared several of her favorite storybooks with her pint-sized audience.  "Literacy is the greatest gift we can give our children," commented Kathy.  Thank you, Kathy, for sharing your love of reading with our little sprouts.

Becoming You: Careers in Journalism & Communications for Women

Teen girls and women are invited to a free forum, "Becoming You: Careers in Journalism & Communications," which will be held at Project Self-Sufficiency on Tuesday, March 22nd, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.  Speakers will include New Jersey Herald News Editor Kathy Stevens, WSUS-FM Program Director Maria Lake, Skylands Weekly Producer and Host Melissa Estock, and New Jersey Herald Internet Director and Photographer Amy Paterson.  Learn about the daily tasks that make up a typical day, and ask questions of the experts. Free and open to teen girls and women; registration required.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.

Enrollment in New Jersey Family Care Health Insurance offered at Project Self-Sufficiency

Project Self-Sufficiency offers open enrollment appointments for New Jersey Family Care, the health insurance plan offered by the state of New Jersey to eligible children and low-income parents, every Wednesday morning, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., and every Thursday evening, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. New Jersey Family Care is a comprehensive health insurance program that provides a wide range of services, including visits to a physician, eye glasses, hospitalization, lab work, x-rays, prescriptions, regular checkups, mental health, and dental coverage. Medical services are available at Health Maintenance Organizations in each county. Depending on family income, there may be restrictions on certain services. Coverage in the health care plan is available for children 18 years of age and younger, as well as parents who meet income eligibility requirements. Eligibility is based on family size, monthly income and other factors. Interested applicants are encouraged to call Project Self-Sufficiency or visit the New Jersey Family Care website, www.njfamilycare.org, for more information. Individual appointments at Project Self-Sufficiency are free and open to the public, but registration is required.




Due to the state’s financial situation, guidelines for residency status and income eligibility have recently been revised. Parents and guardians who have not resided in the United States as Legal Permanent Residents for at least five years are no longer eligible for NJ FamilyCare. However, any pregnant women, regardless of date of entry can apply and be determined eligible. NJ FamilyCare is only accepting applications from parents and guardians with work income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level. For example, parents and guardians in a family of four, making up to $2,444 per month, may be eligible. However, some parents and guardians in a family making up to $2,444 may not be eligible because income such as unemployment, child support and government benefits are counted differently.



Parents at higher income levels may have the option of purchasing health insurance for their children at reasonable rates through the New Jersey Family Care ADVANTAGE program. Applicants will be eligible for New Jersey Family Care only if they have been uninsured for a period of three months or more, or if health coverage was lost due to layoffs or other factors. Depending on income, other exceptions may apply for families privately paying for health insurance or for COBRA benefits. For many families, New Jersey Family Care will be free. Other families will pay a monthly premium based on their income and small co-payments for some services.



Immigrant parent/caretakers who are legal permanent residents of the United States must have had that status for at least five years in order to be eligible for NJ FamilyCare. Children age 18 or younger in "Qualified" immigrant status are able to apply for NJ FamilyCare, regardless of the date that they entered the United States; they do not have to wait five years to be eligible. "Qualified" status includes a lawful permanent resident, a refugee, an asylee, a Cuban-Haitian entrant, an undocumented resident whose deportation is being withheld by USCIS, an Amerasian immigrant, a child of an honorably discharged United States military veteran, a child of a member of the United States military, an immigrant paroled for over one year, or an applicant under the Violence Against Women Act. Certain American Indians born in Canada are treated the same as a United States citizen for the purpose of Medicaid eligibility.



Applicants are required to bring proof of income, citizenship information, social security number, and information about existing health coverage to the enrollment appointment. Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. To register, or to find out more about enrollment in the New Jersey Family Care program, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

"Sister-to-Sister" Prom Shop Opens at Project Self-Sufficiency

The fourth annual “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop at Project Self-Sufficiency will be open to high school students in need of a free new or gently-used gown on Thursdays and selected Saturdays during March and April. Those who have a family member in high school who are in need of a prom gown are invited to call to register for the opportunity to select a dress. All types of formal wear will be available including dresses, evening bags, jewelry, wraps and shawls, as well as shoes in good condition. The “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop will be open on Thursdays, March 17th – April 21st, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., and on Saturdays, March 26th and April 9th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Community Education Center, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. The prom shop is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.




The popular “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop is coordinated by student volunteer Sophie Ilaria on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency. Now in its fourth year, the popular “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop routinely receives donations of more than 200 dresses each year.



At the “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop ample space will be provided to try on the gowns so that each participant will be able to walk away with a dress that fits. The Prom Shop is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. For information about the Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop, or to find out more about any of the programs at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

Free Family Law Seminar to be offered by Project Self-Sufficiency

Arlene Albino, Esquire, will discuss grounds for divorce, court procedures, alimony, custody, child support, equitable distribution of assets and other topics related to divorce at a free Family Law seminar on Wednesday, March 9th, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Free and open to the public; registration required.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.

Sailing through your Breast Cancer Journey

Life empowerment coach and best-selling author Hueina Su will be the featured speaker at "Sailing through your Breast Cancer Journey," a free luncheon and motivational seminar offered to breast cancer survivors and their family members on Saturday, March 19th, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Sparta Health & Wellness Center. Learn how to navigate the road from diagnosis to survival. Door prizes and health information will be offered. Free and open to the public; registration required. Call Summit Breast Care at 973-729-6517 to register.