Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Free Seminar about Expungement of Criminal Records
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Project 250 Launches 25th Anniversary Year
Author and entertainment reporter Jancee Dunn will be the featured guest at the annual Project 250 celebration on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency on Thursday, October 20th. This year’s event, which will be held at a private home in Sussex County, will kick off the agency’s year-long celebration of its 25th anniversary serving low-income families in northwestern New Jersey. Several former participants will also be on hand to highlight the impact the agency’s programs have had on their own lives. Project Self-Sufficiency is a non-profit agency which helps families to attain economic self-sufficiency and family stability. Project 250 will be catered by North Jersey Bar & Grill.
A key part of this year’s festivities will be the lighting of hundreds of Chinese lanterns, each symbolizing the hope for continued success on behalf of the thousands of families served by Project Self-Sufficiency over the past 25 years. Noted Beverly Gordon, President of Project Self-Sufficiency’s Board of Directors, “Project 250 is one of my favorite events because it combines inspirational stories from past participants with hope for the families who will be crossing over our threshold in the future. We are beholden to Kathy and Lou Esposito who offered us the use of their beautiful home for this event, and Jancee Dunn who took time out of her busy schedule to spend an evening with us. We are looking forward to a magical evening.”
Jancee Dunn grew up in Chatham, New Jersey. She was a writer at Rolling Stone from 1989-2003, where she wrote twenty cover stories for the magazine. She has written for many different publications, among them the New York Times, Vogue, GQ, Jane, The New York Times, and O: The Oprah Magazine. From 2001-2002 she was an entertainment correspondent for Good Morning America. She also served as a veejay for MTV2 from 1996 until 2001. Her memoir "But Enough about Me," about her life as chronically nervous celebrity interviewer, came out in 2006. Her novel "Don't You Forget about Me" was published in July 2008. “Why is my Mother Getting at Tatoo? And Other Questions I Wish I Never Had to Ask” was issued in 2009. Jancee lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, New York.
“I'm so happy to help celebrate 25 years of Project Self-Sufficiency's important work in Sussex County. When I was asked to be a part of Project 250, I jumped on board,” noted Jancee Dunn. “My folks have volunteered there for many years, and I see firsthand the impact that this organization has on low-income families—nearly 20,000 of them since the organization started! As keynote speaker, I'll be dishing for our donors about my life as a celebrity interviewer —off the record, just for them. It's the least I can do for people who lend their support to Project Self-Sufficiency. “
Patrons of Project 250 are invited to attend the event or to make a contribution towards Project Self-Sufficiency’s annual campaign, which focuses on the services offered to children by the agency. In addition to keynote speaker Jancee Dunn, the evening will feature a variety of guest speakers who have turned their lives around with the help of Project Self-Sufficiency.
“As we celebrate our 25th anniversary serving low-income families from our area, we are grateful for the generosity demonstrated by the community towards our participants, who have struggled to find work and hold their families together during the recent economic downturn,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “The funds raised by Project 250 go directly to the children of the families we serve, who tend to be the poorest of the poor in our area. We are excited to be celebrating the successes of the past 25 years, and we are confident that the community will continue to lend a helping hand to our neighbors in need.”
Some of the services funded by Project 250 include the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center, which provides day care services for 83 children, ages 6 weeks through 6 years; childcare and early childhood education; parent-child activities and field trips for agency participants; substance abuse relapse prevention; parenting skills training through the agency’s parenting center; GED instruction; support groups; therapy referral programs; home visitations to families in need; day camps during the summer months; the food pantry; and the emergency basic needs assistance program which responds to families in crisis.
Kathy Esposito, the hostess of this year’s Project 250, added, “My husband, Lou, and I are honored to be hosting Project 250 this year. Supporting Project Self-Sufficiency’s mission of service to low-income families is very important to us, and we are delighted to be able to help in any way that we can.”
Project Self-Sufficiency’s mission is to provide the services necessary for single parents, teen parents, displaced homemakers and two-parent families to improve the quality of their lives and those of their children through the attainment of economic self-sufficiency and family stability. Project Self-Sufficiency offers a supportive family-centered environment where life issues are addressed through a combination of individual counseling, peer support groups, case management services, parenting skills training, life skills management training, home visits, childcare and early childhood education, family activities and health education. Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,000 families, including over 30,000 children.
To make a contribution towards Project 250, to inquire about attending the event, or to find out about the programs and services available to low-income families at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Free Seminar about Careers in Education
A free seminar about careers in Education will be offered to teens and adults on Thursday, October 27th, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency. Keith Smith, Dean of Liberal Arts at the County College of Morris, will be joined by Karen Perez, Principal of the Merriam Avenue School, Learning Consultant Leslie Dell and Speech Therapist Lisa Hanna. The speakers will discuss their background, education and the tasks that accompany their profession, as well as answer questions posed by the audience. “Becoming You: Education Careers” will focus on positions like classroom teacher, personal aide, special education teacher, learning consultant, speech therapist, occupational therapist, principal, superintendent, college professor, and others. The forum is part of the series, “Becoming You: Career Explorations for Teens and Adults”, which is offered at Project Self-Sufficiency throughout the year. Future topics will address careers in Writing, Culinary Arts, Health Care and Non-Traditional Professions. The seminar is free and open to any teen or adult in the area, but registration is required.
“Teens and adults who are looking at future careers or thinking about post-secondary training and education, as well as those who may be weighing their options for a career change, will benefit from the ‘Becoming You’ series,” notes Deborah Berry-Toon, Project Self-Sufficiency’s Executive Director. “We are particularly grateful to the professionals in the area who have taken time out of their busy schedules to offer hope, inspiration and direction to the teens and adults in attendance.”
“Becoming You: Education Careers” will be held at Project Self-Sufficiency, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton, on Thursday, October 27th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. The event is free and open to teens and adults in the area, but registration is required. To register for “Becoming You: Education Careers,” call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.
Enroll in New Jersey Family Care 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.
Effective July 1, 2011, many individuals who were previously enrolled in the NJ Family Care/Medicaid program were switched to a Managed Care plan. Care for these individuals is now coordinated under one of 4 HMO’s. Effective August 1, 2011, there will be no more medical exemptions of mandatory HMO enrollment in NJ Family Care. There will also be mandatory termination of care for certain childless adults who are not enrolled in the state of New Jersey’s General Assistance Program. 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.
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.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Hudson Farm Club to offer Shooting School for Women at Fundraising Event
Women who are registered as participants in the October 24th “Harvest Shoot & Taste of Autumn Gourmet Gathering” on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency are invited to learn how to safely use a hunting rifle at a special Ladies Shooting School, a clinic offered by the Hudson Farm Club in conjunction with the fundraising event. Participants will learn the basics of handling a gun, along with personalized instruction in a small group setting. The “Harvest Shoot & Taste of Autumn Gourmet Gathering” will feature a 20-station clay shoot on the 3,000 acre hunting preserve, followed by an elegant dinner provided by four of the area’s most renowned chefs. Patrons will have the option of participating in the all-day event, or just the dinner alone. All proceeds will benefit Project Self-Sufficiency, a local non-profit agency which specializes in services for low-income families.
“I am very excited to be participating in the Women’s Clinic at this year’s Harvest Shoot on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency benefactor Jody Ursin. “I took up shooting about a year ago and really enjoy it. Whether a first time shooter or a novice, the instructors at Hudson Farm are very patient and knowledgeable and make learning the sport fun. The clinic is limited to 8 women and I know that we will have a great time while improving our skills. The dinner promises to be spectacular end to a great day.”
The Hudson Farm Club has hosted a Sporting Clay Outing on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency for nine consecutive years. The “Taste of Autumn Gourmet Gathering” was added recently to allow more patrons to participate in the event. The gourmet gathering will feature a five-course meal contributed by some of the area’s most exciting restaurants, including Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique, Perona Farms, Salt—A Gastro Pub, and The Dining Room, with a separate course provided by each chef. Each course will be accompanied by a pre-selected bottle of wine chosen specifically to complement the food.
The Sporting Clay Outing, which is similar to a golf outing, allows participants to shoot at an assortment of clay targets available at 20 different locations throughout the sprawling grounds. Each shooting station offers a different presentation of targets, allowing participants to simulate game shooting in a variety of ways. Teams will have the opportunity to take aim at 100 clays over the course of 3 ½ hours.
Participants will enjoy a light lunch, take part in the clay shoot throughout the extensive Hudson Farm Club grounds, and return to a gourmet dinner. The Hudson Farm Club will provide cartridges, ear and eye protection, and instruction and guidance tailored to each participant’s experience level. In addition, teams will have access to golf carts to navigate the course with ease and take in even more of the spectacular scenery. With 20 different electronic stations, the Hudson Farm Club provides one of the most extensive shooting layouts in the country. While guests are asked to bring their own break-open shotguns, rentals may be arranged for those who don’t own a gun and/or who may have limited shooting experience.
“We are delighted to be celebrating Project Self-Sufficiency’s 25th year of assisting low-income families in northwestern New Jersey to attain economic self-sufficiency and family stability,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “We are grateful to the chefs from Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique, Perona Farms, Salt, and The Dining Room for their hard work and creativity on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency, and we are particularly grateful to the membership of the Hudson Farm Club for their support of this endeavor year after year.”
The Sporting Clay Outing is open to all ages and skill levels. Participation in the full day event is $450 per person; tickets for the dinner only are $250 per person. Lunch and registration will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m., with the outing scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. The gourmet gathering will start at 6:00 p.m.
All proceeds will benefit Project Self-Sufficiency, 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.
To make a donation to Project Self-Sufficiency, to register for the “Harvest Shoot & Taste of Autumn Gourmet Gathering”, or to find out more about the programs and services available at the non-profit agency, call 973-940-3500.
Free Family Law Seminar in October
Michael Hanifan, Esquire, will discuss court procedures, grounds for divorce, child support, alimony, parenting time, equitable distribution of assets and other topics related to divorce at a free Family Law seminar on Thursday, October 6th, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Free and open to the public; registration required. Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.
Affordable Computer Classes offered at Project Self-Sufficiency
Project Self-Sufficiency will be offering a variety of computer classes in October, including a basic Introduction to Personal Computers, an advanced class in Microsoft Excel, an introductory course in Microsoft Word, as well as a course in Power Point and Outlook. The agency also offers courses designed specifically for seniors and for men. All classes will take place in the agency’s Career Center, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. The fee for each class is $10, with the exception of the free Careering 101 and Careering 102 courses. Computer class students must be registered Family Success Center or Project Self-Sufficiency participants; members of the public are welcome to utilize the agency’s computer labs for job searches through the agency’s Universal Access program.
A basic Introduction to Personal Computers will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 11th – 27th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. This introductory course is designed for first-time computer users or people with limited computer experience. Students will learn computer basics, including the different components of the computer and the performance of simple procedures. Fundamental keyboarding skills and a brief overview of popular software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Access will also be discussed.
An introductory course in Microsoft Word will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, October 12th – 31st, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 11th –27th, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Students will learn word-processing techniques, including the creation of professional-looking letters, faxes, newsletters and other documents, as well as the use of mail merge features used to print address labels and address letters to multiple recipients. Participation in the introductory level Microsoft Word course is required prior to registration in the advanced class.
Those interested in learning more about Microsoft Excel are encouraged to attend an advanced class on Mondays and Wednesdays, October 12th – 31st, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., or on Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 11th –27th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Instruction will center on the creation of spreadsheets, databases and workbooks for use in tracking inventory, sorting data and creating mailing lists. Students will learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide rows and columns using formulas and become adept at storing, managing and interpreting data. Students must complete the introductory level Microsoft Excel class before registration in the advanced course.
A class in Microsoft PowerPoint and Outlook will be offered on Saturdays, October 1st – November 5th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Participants will learn to manage email, set up calendars, schedule tasks, and create custom slide shows.
Microsoft Employment Lab for Men, a special class which introduces basic keyboarding skills and touches on Microsoft applications, will be held on Wednesdays, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., October 5th – 26th. The course will also explore the development of resumes and cover letters.
Seniors are invited to check out Better with Technology on Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., October 4th – 18th. Participants will learn how to set up an email account and safely navigate the internet.
The agency will also offer “Careering 101” a free three-part series covering job search and networking techniques, the development of cover letters and resumes, and a session about interview skills, salary negotiation, and workplace literacy. The Job Search component is held on Mondays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., and on Thursdays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. A discussion of Cover Letters and Resumes will be offered every Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., and on Saturdays 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Those who are interested in learning more about interview techniques are invited to attend sessions on Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., or on Fridays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
“Careering 102” will allow participants to receive tips on time management, goal-setting, interacting with co-workers, and other workplace techniques. Careering 102 is offered every Tuesday, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. and from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Project Self-Sufficiency’s Career Center also offers assistance with career counseling and assessment, Job Start and Job Search services. The agency’s new Work Connections program allows members of the public to take advantage of the computer labs for use in searching for employment.
With the exception of the Careering 101 course, the fee for each class is $10. Careering 101 and Careering 102 are free. All computer classes at the agency are open to registered Family Success Center and Project Self-Sufficiency participants. To inquire about eligibility, or to find out more about the computer courses offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)