Becoming You Summer Camp for Middle School Girls

Girls who will be entering grades 6 – 8 in September are invited to participate in the Becoming You Summer Camp at Project Self-Sufficiency, Monday, July 25th – Friday, July 29th, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Group exercises, hands-on projects and guest speakers will introduce girls to a variety of career options, including jobs in the fields of law and law enforcement, healthcare, journalism and communications, education and non-traditional professions. There is a $10 fee per registrant. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited and advance registration is required; registration will be handled on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Fresh, Low-Cost Food Available to Those in Need

Fresh food is available at bargain prices through the Angel Food Ministries program at Project Self-Sufficiency. The boxes of food offered by the Angel Food Ministries program are priced at $28.95 and are designed to feed 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. To place an order, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 or order online with a credit card at www.angelfoodministries.com. Payment is made when the order is placed. The next deadline for placing orders is Sunday, June 19th; boxes will be delivered and available for pick up at Project Self-Sufficiency between 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 25th. 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.

Becoming You:Technology Careers is a Hit!

Thank you to Business Analyst Kathleen Reilly, Web Designer Suzanne Jeska, Search Engine Optimization Expert Jeanne-Marie Kardell, and Graphic Artist Sarah Stanley for their fascinating presentations about their professions at last night's "Becoming You:Technology Careers" forum. Look for seminars on careers in Education, Healthcare, Non-Traditional Professions and more in the fall!

Free Family Law Seminar

Ann Gacquin, Esquire, will discuss grounds for divorce, court procedures, child support, custody, alimony, equitable distribution of assets and other topics related to divorce at a free Family Law seminar on Thursday, June 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.

GED Training Program Seeks Participants

Free childcare, free transportation and free meals are available to those who need help getting their GED.  The Even Start Family Literacy Program at Project Self-Sufficiency offers a flexible schedule to accommodate working parents.  Get your GED now and start on the road to success.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to enroll.

Summer Job Program Offered to Area Teens

Area teens in search of summer jobs need look no further than the Summer Youth Employment Program offered at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Eligible teens, ages 15 – 18, will receive free employability skills instruction at Project Self-Sufficiency, and will then be whisked off to local workplaces for paid on-the-job training.  The Summer Youth Employment Program will take place Monday – Thursday, July 11^th – August 18^th.  Eligibility is based on family income, lack of transportation, and current enrollment in high school.  Free transportation to and from Project Self-Sufficiency and the work sites will be provided to participants.  The program is sponsored by the Hudson Farm Foundation of The Community Foundation of New Jersey.  Program is limited to 12 students.  For information about eligibility or to schedule an interview, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Zumba!

Dance your cares away!  Zumba classes will be offered at Project Self-Sufficiency on Tuesdays, May 24th and 31st, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.  Taught by instructors from the Sussex County YMCA.  $10 per person; registration required.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.

Free Legal Consultations offered at Project Self-Sufficiency

Free one-on-one meetings with an attorney are available on Thursday evenings, June 2nd –30th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency in Newton. Legal education is provided by attorneys affiliated with the Sussex County Bar Association. Consultations are scheduled at 45-minute intervals. The sessions are free and open to Sussex County residents who meet income eligibility guidelines; consultations are available by appointment only.




In addition to one-on-one consultations, Project Self-Sufficiency provides a variety of legal services to participants, including pro se divorce workshops, legal clinics for assistance with the preparation of family law motions, and monthly legal forums on a variety of topics, from Family Law to Bankruptcy. Funding for the agency’s legal services programs are provided in part by the IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey.



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 more than 30,000 children.



To schedule an appointment for a free legal consultation, or to find out more about the programs and services offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

Check out the Computer Classes Offered at Project Self-Sufficiency in June!

Project Self-Sufficiency will be offering a variety of computer classes in June, including a basic Introduction to Personal Computers and an advanced class in Microsoft Excel.  The agency will also offer a Job Club and Careering 101, as well as Microsoft & Employment Lab for Men, a course designed specifically for men seeking to boost their skills.  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 973-940-3500 to register or to request a course schedule.

Becoming You: Technology Careers

A free seminar about careers in Technology will be offered to teens and adults on Thursday, May 26th, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Website Designer Suzanne Jeska, will be joined by Graphic Artist Sarah Stanley, Search Engine Optimization Expert Jeanne-Marie Kardell and Senior Business Analyst Kathleen Reilly.  The speakers will discuss their background, education and the tasks that accompany their profession, as well as answers questions posed by the audience.  “Becoming You:  Technology Careers” will focus on positions like website designer, graphic artist, search engine optimization, information technology, computer programming, and others.  The seminar is free and open to teens and adults, but registration is required.  Call 973-940-3500 to register.

Free or Low-Cost Health Insurance is Available through NJ Family Care

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.

http://www.njfamilycare.org/

Michael J. Holub Memorial Golf Classic on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency

The Lake Mohawk Golf Club will host the 9th anual "Michael J. Holub Memorial Golf Classic" on Monday, June 6th, on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency. The outing will begin at 11:00 a.m. and continue throughout the day and evening, culminating in the distribution of prizes and awards at an elegant dinner reception. Golfers will even have the opportunity to win a 2011 Mercedes Benz. To register, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Free Dresses at Project Self-Sufficiency!

Teens and women are invited to select up to three gowns from Project Self-Sufficiency’s extensive collection of formal wear at the agency’s “Gown Giveaway” on Thursday, May 19^th, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  New and gently-used dresses suitable for weddings, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, proms, parties or any other formal occasion are available, along with accessories like shoes, wraps and purses.  The Gown Giveaway is free and open to the public.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. 

Free Family Law Seminar Scheduled for Hopatcong

Michelle Olenick, Esquire, will discuss grounds for divorce, court procedures, child support, custody, equitable distribution of assets and other topics related to divorce at a free Family Law seminar on Thursday, May 19th, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Hopatcong High School.  Free and open to the public; registration required.  To register, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Project Self-Sufficiency and Angel Food Ministries Celebrate Inaugural Year

The coordinators of Angel Food Ministries, the Living Waters Fellowship Church and Project Self-Sufficiency are celebrating the completion of their first year of providing fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and other items to local families. The local program has provided more than 60 boxes of food each month to area residents during the past year. Nationwide, over 18 million people have received boxes of fresh food and produce from Angel Food Ministries since the organization was founded in 1994 by husband and wife pastors Joe and Linda Wingo. Since its humble beginnings in Northeastern Georgia, the organization has stretched across the country, and has successfully served families in Sussex County for the past year, thanks to a joint venture with Project Self-Sufficiency and the Living Waters Fellowship Church in Newton.




“Angel Food Ministries is a well-respected organization with a reputation for compassionately serving those in need, so adding this program to the roster of services already in place at Project Self-Sufficiency was a natural fit,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “We were proud to partner with the congregation at Living Waters Fellowship in bringing Angel Food Ministries to Sussex County.”



The boxes of food offered by the Angel Food Ministries program are priced at $28.95 and are designed to feed 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.



Parishioners from Living Waters Fellowship Church are on hand on the fourth Saturday of each month to help sort items and take orders. Noted the Reverend Tom Litteer, pastor at Living Waters Fellowship, “The people who come are really grateful that for this program because it enables them to save a lot of money on their food bill.”



The next deadline for placing orders is Sunday, May 15th; boxes will be delivered on Saturday, May 21st between 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 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.

Free Bankruptcy Seminar in Sussex

Michael Nelms, Esquire, will discuss the process of filing for bankruptcy, as well as the options available to those facing overwhelming credit card debt, asset repossession or foreclosure at a free Bankruptcy seminar, on Wednesday, May 18^th, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Sussex Middle School.  Free and open to the public; registration required.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.

"Keeping Debt under Control"

A free financial management workshop, "Keeping Debt under Control", will be offered at Project Self-Sufficiency on Tuesday, May 17th, at 11:00 a.m.  Maura Attardi, Regional Director of Money Management International, will discuss how to select credit cards, apply for loans, avoid credit card debt, navigate student loan applications, locate debt consolidation plans, and more.  Free and open to the public; registration required.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.