Computer Classes offered during July

Project Self-Sufficiency will be offering a variety of computer classes in July, including a basic Introduction to Personal Computers, an introductory class in Microsoft Excel, an advanced course in Microsoft Word, a Quickbooks class, and 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 Microsoft and Quickbooks course is $10; the remaining workshops are free.     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, July 10^th – 26th, 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.  

Seniors are invited to attend “Better with Technology” on Fridays, July 6^th – 20th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Participants will learn how to set up an email account and safely navigate the internet.

A course in Quickbooks Accounting Software will be offered on Fridays, July 13^th – August 24th, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Students will learn how to organize personal or business finances, track orders and payments, generate invoices, monitor and manage expenses and produce sophisticated reports and sales forecasts. 

An advanced course in Microsoft Word will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, July 9^th – 25th, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 10^th – 26th, 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 about Microsoft Excel are encouraged to attend an introductory class on Mondays and Wednesdays, July 9^th – 25th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., or on Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 10^th – 26th, 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., July 11^th – 25th.  The course will also explore the development of resumes and cover letters.

“Financial Management” seminars are held on alternate Thursdays, 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 instruction to 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.  Help with obtaining a GED, career counseling and assessment, Job Start and Job Search services are also available.  These informational sessions are offered at convenient day and evening times.  Interested participants are encouraged to call 973-940-3500 for a schedule.

The fee for each Microsoft and Quickbooks course is $10; all other classes 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 or career fairs offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

Free Parenting Workshops offered this Summer

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer a variety of free parenting workshops for families of all shapes and sizes during the summer.  Parents are invited to learn about the different stages of physical and emotional development during childhood, as well as techniques for positive discipline and improved communication.  The sessions are free and open to the public; snacks and childcare will be provided.   All classes take place from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  Pre-registration is required.

Parents of children ages 0 – 6 are invited to a class on Tuesdays, July 10^th – August 14^th.

A class for families with children ages 0 – 10 will be offered on Wednesdays, July 11^th – August 15^th.

Parents of adolescent children are welcome to attend a course on Wednesdays, July 11^th – August 15^th.

A special class just for fathers will be held on Tuesdays, July 10^th – September 25^th.

To register for any of the parenting workshops, to discuss your parenting needs, or to find out more about other programs and services available 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 to income-eligible Sussex County residents between the hours of 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency on Thursdays, July 5th - 26th.  By appointment only; 45-minutes in length.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to schedule an appointment.

Learn how to Erase Prior Criminal Records at a Free Seminar

Gretchen Rafuse, Esquire, will discuss the process of erasing prior criminal records at a free Expungement seminar at Project Self-Sufficiency on Wednesday, July 11th, 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.

Paris Eliades to Facilitate Free Family Law Seminar

Paris Eliades, Esquire, will discuss grounds for divorce, court procedures, child support, custody, alimony, equitable distribution of assets and other issues related to divorce at a free Family Law seminar at Project Self-Sufficiency on Tuesday, July 10th, 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.

Food Assistance Program Offers July Delivery

Good Faith Food Box, a food assistance program offered through Project Self-Sufficiency, offers fresh food at bargain prices.  Area residents are invited to place an order by Monday, July 9^th; orders will be ready for pick up at Project Self-Sufficiency on Saturday, July 21^st at 1:00 p.m.  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.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.

The new Good Faith Food Box program was initiated by the Treasure Valley Food Group, which has partnered with churches and non-profit organizations across the country to bring high quality food to families, seniors and individuals at a cost savings of up to 40% off of typical retail prices.  The Treasure Valley Food Group has been providing food to more than 30,000 grocery stores across the United States for over 16 years.

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.

Ten Women Graduate from Higher Opportunities for Women Program

Ten women recently graduated from Project Self-Sufficiency’s “Higher Opportunities for Women” training program, a course designed for women who are seeking to re-enter the workforce or those who may have been underemployed for a number of years.  The sixteen-week course combines computer training, assistance with current workplace skills, and on-the-job work experience.  Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level administrative positions.

Patrice Green, Coordinator of the Career Center at Project Self-Sufficiency, remarks, “The HOW program is uniquely packaged to provide eligible women with education, support and guidance.  Participants learn up-to-date computer skills and gain the confidence necessary to compete in today’s job market.”

In addition to computer skills training, the HOW Program includes classroom instruction, and placement at an unpaid externship at a community employment site, which further prepares participants to successfully venture into the job market.  Over the years, Project Self Sufficiency has partnered with a variety of local businesses, non-profit organizations and government entities to provide HOW participants with the opportunity to hone their new computer skills and gain workplace experience. 

Classroom time is devoted to computer training, careering instruction, life skills training and interviewing strategies.  Since the HOW program’s inception, hundreds of women have learned marketable skills leading to economic self-sufficiency.  Graduates from the Spring HOW program at Project Self-Sufficiency include Rebecca Cahill, Dawn Conti, Gail Fetterman, Penny Kinney, Sindaleena Raghubir, Roseanna Rogers, Kristi Rowan, Terry Sheridan, Diane Sherman, and Nola Tenzer.

Kristi Rowan had searched fruitlessly for employment, but had been repeatedly turned down because her computer skills were outdated.  She decided to try the HOW program in the hope that updating her computer skills would help her to find a job.  “I have learned a lot in this program.  I am confident in my updated computer skills and I continue to practice them.  More importantly, I gained confidence in myself through activities and discussions in class about self-esteem, goal-setting and time management,” noted Kristi.  “Ultimately I landed a great job thanks to the staff at Project Self-Sufficiency.  I attended an interview set up by the Project Self-Sufficiency staff who noticed that I might fit the position from my previous experience based on the resume that they helped me to write.  I went to the interview armed with the knowledge that I had just learned from the classes at Project Self-Sufficiency and nailed it.”

Project Self-Sufficiency will be launching a Summer Office Skills program, which is an abbreviated version of the HOW program, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., from July 10^th – August 30th.  Interested participants are encouraged to attend an Open House about the Summer Office Skills program at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12^th and Thursday, June 28^th; or at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19^th and Thursday, June 21^st.   Another session of the HOW program will take place in the fall.

For further information about the Summer Office Skills or Higher Opportunities for Women programs, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.