Learn how to Expunge Prior Criminal Records at a Free Seminar

Gretchen Rafuse, Esquire, will discuss the process of erasing prior criminal records at a free Expungement Seminar on Wednesday, March 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.

New Program for Pregnant Women and New Mothers

Supporting pregnant women and parents of young children during the first few years of a child’s life can have a direct impact on the child’s success in school.  Many children struggle with basic reading and writing if the building blocks for basic literacy have not been provided during their infancy and toddler years.  Years ago, Missouri educators took note of the varied levels of school readiness among children entering kindergarten, and the Parents as Teachers curriculum was created.  The curriculum is now available internationally, and is offered in Sussex County through Project Self-Sufficiency.  The program combines home visits with educational outings, and gives parents a variety of tools to help their children with literacy and health issues.  The program also allows trained home visitors to assess crucial developmental delays which might otherwise have been overlooked before the child entered kindergarten. 

“Meeting with these young parents in the comfort of their own homes allows us to be more effective as educators, because we can introduce and implement basic literacy tools immediately.  Children and parents are more relaxed in a home environment, so learning together becomes a fun activity that can be shared,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  The Parents as Teachers program at Project Self-Sufficiency combines weekly home visits with monthly Mommy Parties at the agency’s Newton campus.  The gatherings combine presentations about health, wellness, parenting skills, household safety, and literacy, with crafts and activities for children.  The events also allow young mothers to meet women in similar circumstances wthin a supportive environment.

Reading well by the time a child enters third grade is one key indicator of academic success.  Children from families who have used the Parents as Teachers program, as well as those who have attended preschool, have fared remarkably well in school by third grade, regardless of income level.  In fact, use of the Parents as Teachers program appears to level the playing field between those children who hail from different socioeconomic backgrounds, according to a 2007 study initiated by the Parents as Teachers Program.  A large percentage of poor children (82%) who participated in both the Parents as Teachers program and in preschool entered kindergarten ready to learn, as compared to only 64% of low-income children who had no involvement in either service.  A similar pattern was noted for more affluent children.

“This study says those states that wait to start early childhood education until age 4 are making a huge mistake,” noted Dr. Edward Zigler, Ph. D., Sterling Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, at Yale University, who participated in developing the report.  “By starting at birth, Parents as Teachers starts at just the right time."

The Parents as Teachers program at Project Self-Sufficiency is funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Children & Families.  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 through the achievement of personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,500 families, including over 30,000 children. 

To learn more about the Parents as Teachers program, or to receive information about any of the other services offered by Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

Free Support Groups Offered at Project Self-Sufficiency

Project Self-Sufficiency announces the availability of three separate support groups to meet the needs of local residents.  Groups will be offered for young parents, mature women and for those who have recently experienced a divorce or separation.  All groups are free and open to Project Self-Sufficiency and Family Success Center participants; all three will be held at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Newton campus, located at 127 Mill Street.  Interested residents are encouraged to call Project Self-Sufficiency to register.

The “Young Families Support Group” features separate weekly gatherings for expectant and parenting young adults.  The group meets on Wednesday evenings; expectant parents gather from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., while parents and their young children come together from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.   Both groups spend time exploring issues, challenges and successes together.  Occasional guest speakers and frequent craft projects enliven the gatherings.  Children are invited to share a separate activity while parents convene.

Mature women are invited to join “Crossroads”, a support group at Project Self-Sufficiency which explores health, creativity, money management, career issues, and other topics.  Guest speakers, book discussions and movie nights are peppered throughout the year.  The group meets monthly on Thursdays, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  The next meeting is scheduled for March 8^th.

Women who are experiencing the end of a relationship or a divorce are welcome to attend “Breaking Through”, a support group designed to address the unique challenges faced by those who are navigating a new life following a break-up.  The group will meet every Thursday, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., March 6^th – April 10^th.

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 through the achievement of personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,500 families, including over 30,000 children. 

Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  To register for a support group, or to find out more information about the programs and services offered by Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

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

Teen girls in need of a prom dress need look no farther than Project Self-Sufficiency, thanks to the fifth annual “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop which will be open from mid-March through mid-April.  In addition to dresses of all lengths and sizes, the Prom Shop will feature accessories like shoes, wraps, hand bags, and jewelry so that patrons can create the perfect ensemble.  The “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop will be held at Project Self-Sufficiency on Thursdays, March 15^th – April 5^th, from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.   The shop will also be open from Tuesday – Friday, April 10^th – 13^th, from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m., and on Saturday, April 14^th, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Gowns and accessories will be offered to any teen girl in need.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. 

Teenage Project Self-Sufficiency supporter Sophie Ilaria conceived the idea for the “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop along with her sister Isabella five years ago.  “The stories we heard from some of the participants here were so inspiring that we wanted to help in any way we could,” noted Sophie recently.

The prom shop at Project Self-Sufficiency routinely distributes more than 200 dresses to teen girls each year, making it the largest distributor of gently-used formal wear in northwestern New Jersey.  “Given the current economic situation, we are anticipating that the need will continue to be great for many young women in our area,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “Attending the prom is a once in a lifetime event, and we are thankful that the Sussex County community continues to help these young women to have a memorable evening by donating formal wear to our Prom Shop.”

Dresses and other types of formal wear are currently being accepted for display in the “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop.  For information about donating dresses to the Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop, to schedule an appointment to select a dress, or to find out more about any of the programs at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

Family Square Dances in Sussex County

Families in the Newton and Hopatcong school districts who have children in kindergarten through third grade will be bowing to their partners and do-si-do-ing at separate hoe-downs coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency during March.  The Tulsa Trail School will host a square dance on Friday, March 16^th, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.; Newton families are invited to attend a square dance at the Merriam Avenue School on Friday, March 23^rd, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Snacks and refreshments will be provided by Project Self-Sufficiency.  The events, which are sponsored by the Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency, are free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required.

“The Square Dances at the Tulsa Trail and Merriam Avenue Schools are just two of the many activities offered by Project Self-Sufficiency through the Family Success Center, a program of support available to every family in Sussex County,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “These evenings offer families the opportunity to have fun together while in the company of their friends from school.   We are grateful for the assistance we have received from the Newton and Hopatcong school district in creating these events.”

The Square Dances at the Tulsa Trail and Merriam Avenue Schools are free and open to families with children in kindergarten through third grade in the Hopatcong and Newton School Districts, but space is limited and registration is required.  To register for either activity, or to find out more information about the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

Family Fun Nights in Newton

Sussex County families are invited to play together at bi-monthly Family Fun Nights at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Children and parents can enjoy classic family movies, craft projects, games, activities and refreshments.  Family Fun Nights are offered on Thursdays, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on alternate weeks, from March 1^st – June 21^st.  The Family Fun Nights, which are sponsored by the Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency, are free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required.

“These Family Fun Nights give parents and their children the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company in a fun and safe environment,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “The Parent Advisory Board of the Family Success Center has been instrumental in creating these activities for local families, and we are grateful for their support.”

The Family Fun Nights at Project Self-Sufficiency are funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Children & Families.  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 through the achievement of personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,500 families, including over 30,000 children. 

To register for the Family Fun Nights, or to find out about any of the other programs and services at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.