Free Technology & Hospitality Career Fair

Project Self-Sufficiency will host a free Technology & Hospitality Career Fair on Thursday, June 14th, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Discuss job openings with area employers.  Learn about training opportunities at area schools, colleges and other facilities.  Free and open to the public.  Call 973-940-3500 for more information.

Free Bankruptcy Seminar at Project Self-Sufficiency

Michael Nelms, Esquire, will facilitate a free Bankruptcy Seminar on Wednesday, June 6th, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Learn about the process for filing for bankruptcy, as well as the options available to those facing overwhelming credit card debt, foreclosure or asset repossession.  Free and open to the public; registration required.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.

Newton Town Manager Tom Russo Appears as a Celebrity Reader

Newton Town Manager Thomas S. Russo, Jr. recently paid a visit to the pre-school classroom at the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center to read several of his favorite children’s books as part of Project Self-Sufficiency’s Celebrity Reader program.  “I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to read to the children at Project Self Sufficiency,” commented Tom.  “Reading is a great activity that allows children and adults of all ages to explore new ideas, topics, and worlds.  As someone who spends a lot of time reading for both work and pleasure, I am always excited to share my love of reading with others, especially kids.  It is important to encourage reading and learning in safe environments like Project Self-Sufficiency.”

To appear as a Celebrity Reader at the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center, call 973-940-3500.

Northern Warren County Businesses Welcome Project Self-Sufficiency to New Location in Blairstown

The business and religious community in northern Warren County recently welcomed Project Self-Sufficiency to its Warren County Outreach location with a celebratory lunch hosted by First Hope Bank.   The agency’s Warren County office at 35 Main Street in Blairstown will be housed in the Outreach Center for the First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown.  The Warren County Outreach center is the result of a unique partnership between the church and the non-profit agency; the space is provided by the First Presbyterian Church, while the services are courtesy of Project Self-Sufficiency.  The office was scheduled to open last year, until the floods caused by Hurricane Irene damaged the first floor of the building.  Since then, crews have been working steadily to rehabilitate the building; new walls, floors, carpeting, wiring and windows were put in place and the installation of the agency’s computer workstations is underway.  The grand opening for the Warren County Outreach location will take place in June.

First Hope Bank Board Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Norman E. Beatty, welcomed the guests to the celebratory event, noting, “Having been involved with Project Self Sufficiency for a number of years in Sussex County and knowing the positive effect the organization has brought on many peoples’ lives who momentarily are down on their luck, it was only proper when Project Self Sufficiency established an outreach in Northern Warren County located in Blairstown, that I would want to gather civic and religious leaders in Warren for them to learn more about this extraordinarily effective public spirited organization.”

Project Self-Sufficiency’s Blairstown site will contain an Employment Lab where participants will be able to take advantage of all of the services offered at the agency’s Newton location, including computer and career training, assessment, and access to job search resources.  In addition, the facility will be staffed with a Case Manager who will be able to conduct intake and assessment of interested participants, teach parenting classes and life skills seminars, and provide referrals to other services available throughout the agency. 

“Project Self-Sufficiency and the First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown have worked diligently for over a year to bring this project to fruition, and we are very excited about being able to offer computer classes, parenting workshops, and other services to northern Warren County residents,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We are very grateful to First Hope Bank for this warm welcome and we are looking forward to working closely with the business, social service and religious community in this area.”

 Since 1986, Project Self-Sufficiency has offered a wide range of programs to low-income families which are designed to help them to become economically self-sufficient.  Services available at the agency’s Newton location include literacy skills training, GED instruction, childcare, career and interview skills training, job search assistance, legal education, parenting skills workshops, computer courses, assistance with emergency basic needs, counseling and referral, and other programs.  The agency also offers periodic job fairs, parenting fairs, health fairs and other activities which allow participants to access the resources of local social service and healthcare organizations.  Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 18,000 families, including over 30,000 children, since its inception.

To schedule an appointment with a case manager at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Blairstown site, located at 35 Main Street, call 908-362-1777.  Appointments can also be scheduled at the Blairstown location by calling the Newton office at 973-940-3500.

Computer Classes offered during June

Project Self-Sufficiency will be offering a variety of computer classes in June, including a basic Introduction to Personal Computers, an advanced class in Microsoft Excel, an introductory course in Microsoft Word, and courses designed specifically 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.     Students must be registered Family Success Center or Project Self-Sufficiency participants.  

A basic Introduction to Personal Computers will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 5^th – 21st, 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 and Outlook will also be discussed.  

An introductory course in Microsoft Word will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, June 4^th – 20th, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 5^th – 21st, 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, June 4^th – 20th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., or on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 5^th – 21st, 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.

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., June 6^th – 27th.  The course will also explore the development of resumes and cover letters.

The agency will also offer “Careering 101” to instruct participants on job search and networking techniques, the preparation of cover letters and resumes, and basic skills for use in interviewing, salary negotiation and the acquisition of workplace etiquette.  The Careering 101 sessions are offered at convenient day and evening times.  Interested participants are encouraged to call 973-940-3500 for a schedule.

Time management, goal-setting, interacting with co-workers, and other workplace techniques are covered in “Careering 102”.  Careering 102 is offered every Tuesday, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. and from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.   The Careering 102 class is open to the public.

“Financial Management” seminars are held every Thursday, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.  Participants will learn how to manage a budget, set financial goals, and explore financial credit issues and bank accounts.   

Project Self-Sufficiency’s Career Center also offers assistance with obtaining a GED, career counseling and assessment, Job Start and Job Search services.   Frequent career fairs give area residents the opportunity to meet local employers, and learn about additional employment and training opportunities.   The agency will host a special Technology & Hospitality Career Fair on Thursday, June 17^th, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

With the exception of the Careering 101, Careering 102, and the Financial Management courses, the fee for each class is $10.  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 or career fairs offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

Free Legal Advice offered at Project Self-Sufficiency

Free one-on-one meetings with an attorney are available between the hours of 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings, June 7^th – 28th, 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. To schedule an appointment, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Food Assistance Program Offers June Delivery

Fresh food is available at bargain prices through the new Good Faith Food Box program at Project Self-Sufficiency.  A variety of ordering options are available; the price for a single box of food ranges from $19 - $35.  A typical menu features a variety of meats, vegetables, and side dishes, including breakfast foods.  There is no limit to the number of boxes an individual or family can purchase, and the menu changes each month.  To place an order, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 or order online with a credit card at www.goodfaithfoodbox.org.  Payment is made when the order is placed.  The next deadline for placing orders is Monday, June 4th; boxes will be delivered and available for pick up at Project Self-Sufficiency on Saturday, June 16th, at noon.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. 

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