Project Self-Sufficiency inaugurated its new location at 35 Main Street in Blairstown with a celebratory ribbon-cutting this afternoon. The grand opening ceremony was attended by local officials, along with business leaders and members of the First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown which owns the building housing the new facility. The effort 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. Low-income families in the northern part of Warren County will be able to access computer training, parenting skills education, assistance with obtaining a GED, and individual appointments with case manager Beth Tully at the Blairstown location. The new site will be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 3:00 – 9:00 p.m., and every third Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Computer classes will kick off with an introductory course in Microsoft Word beginning Thursday, October 4th.
“Project Self-Sufficiency is delighted to be partnering with the First Presbyterian Church in Blairstown to offer computer training, life skills classes, GED instruction and other services to families in the northern part of Warren County,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “The support we have received from the religious, business and educational community in this area has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are looking forward to helping local residents achieve their dreams of economic self-sufficiency and family stability.”
Mayor Frank Anderson lauded the opening of the new center, noting, “Blairstown is the hub of northern Warren County. It’s a small area, but people here need as much help as anyone else. We look forward to a great relationship.”
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.
Local business leader Norman Beatty, Board Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of First Hope Bank, commented, “Having been involved with Sussex County’s Project Self Sufficiency for a number of years and intimately familiar with the positive results it achieves in many peoples’ lives momentarily down on their luck, I am bursting with enthusiasm that they have established a satellite office sponsored by the Blairstown Presbyterian Church at 35 Main Street in Blairstown. I am convinced that this initial entry into Warren County will experience the popular success already enjoyed in other sections of Northwest New Jersey.”
Parishioners at the First Presbyterian Church have been equally supportive. “We hope that people who have life skill needs will take advantage of our partnership with Project Self Sufficiency, developing skills and training to improve and ultimately transform their lives,” noted the Reverend David Harvey, Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Blairstown. “The First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown is trying to help people during this ailing and failing economy. If individuals and families are able to acquire skills and take advantage of the opportunities Project Self Sufficiency and this partnership offers we will be overjoyed knowing that we have helped better human lives – to the glory of God. ”
Project Self-Sufficiency’s Blairstown site contains an Employment Lab for computer and career training, assessment, and access to job search resources. In addition, the facility is staffed by Warren County Outreach Coordinator Beth Tully, who conducts intake and assessment of interested participants, teaches parenting classes and life skills seminars, and provides referrals to other services available throughout the agency. “I’m excited about helping to open a new satellite office and reaching out to an underserved population in Warren County,” noted Beth. “This office is centrally located and it will make it easier for people to access services.”
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.
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