Project Self-Sufficiency Graduates Record Number of Participants from Recent Training Program

Project Self-Sufficiency was proud to award graduation certificates to 18 women who successfully completed the agency’s “Higher Opportunities for Women” program recently.  The 16-week training program combines computer training with courses in workplace etiquette, and eventually places all of the participants in an internship at a local job site.  More than 700 women have graduated from the program since its inception in 1986.

“The comprehensive ‘HOW’ program prepares participants to seek entry-level office administrative positions,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency’s Career Center Coordinator Patrice Green.  “In addition to 80 hours of computer skills training, the HOW Program includes 40 hours of classroom instruction and 120 hours at an unpaid externship at a community employment site, which further prepares participants to successfully venture into the job market.”

Participants learn basic Microsoft Office applications, such as Word and Excel in Project Self-Sufficiency’s state-of-the-art Career Center.  Classroom time is devoted to careering instruction, life skills training and interviewing strategies.   Participants are then placed in local workplaces to hone their new computer skills with hands-on learning experiences at facilities like Sussex County Community College, the Sussex County Courthouse and Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

“Project Self-Sufficiency externs have been a valuable addition to our office staff at Rutgers Cooperative Extension,” commented Brian Olesak, Agricultural Program Associate at Rutgers Cooperative Extension.  “The externs are well-trained, professional and ready to assist us in our outreach and research efforts.  We have been very satisfied in our partnerships with Project Self-Sufficiency.”

Graduates from the most recent HOW program include Peggy Campbell, Kelly Conahoy, Chris Copley, Dawn De Voil, Roseanne Frankel, Jennie Ishiba, Andrea Kassetas, Tinaya Kiester, Jodi Larsen, Anne MacElroy, Jayne Mac Questen, Sylvia, Mannuzza, Kellyn Percell, Dorothy Perrone, Barbara Reynolds, Jill Sommerville, Georgeanne Stoll and Maxine Swentzel.

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.   For information about the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.