Open Computer Lab offered in Blairstown

Area residents in need of a place to brush up on their computer skills are invited to stop by the new Project Self-Sufficiency office at 35 Main Street in Blairstown to take advantage of the Open Computer Lab, Thursdays, December 6^th, 13^th and 20^th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.   The facility contains a state-of-the-art computer lab with multiple workstations for use in developing resumes, creating spreadsheets or fine-tuning word processing skills. 

A complete roster of computer classes and employability skills course are offered at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Newton location during the month of December, including classes in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel; workshops addressing techniques for job search, interviewing, resume development and financial management; and courses designed just for men.  Computer classes at the Blairstown location will start up again after the New Year.  

For more information, call the Project Self-Sufficiency office in Blairstown at 928-362-1777, or phone the agency’s Newton office at 973-940-3500.  Information about the agency’s services is also available at www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Late Season Golf Outing Supports Toy Drive

The Wild Turkey Golf Club at the Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg has hosted an annual golf outing, affectionately known as the Leftover Tournament, on the day after Thanksgiving for the past 13 years.  The casual gathering has grown from a small group at its inception to about 32 golfers currently.  The group plays each year, regardless of the weather, which has ranged from a balmy 60 degrees last week to record lows and even snow-covered fairways during some years.  Proceeds from the gathering are donated to a different local charity each year on a rotating basis, as determined by individual golfers.  This year, golfer Andy Chernati designated Project Self-Sufficiency to receive the funds.  The agency will earmark the proceeds to support the Season of Hope Toy Drive which benefits low-income families across Sussex County and the northern part of Warren County.

Andy Chernati selected Project Self-Sufficiency based on his familiarity with the agency’s work in Sussex County.  “The money stays local and it’s helping people that are a little less fortunate that we are.  I know that there are a lot of single parents out there that could use a little extra help around the holidays.”

The Season of Hope Toy Drive seeks to collect 10,000 new and unwrapped gifts for children of all ages who reside in Sussex County and northern Warren County.  The drive is coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency, in conjunction with Pass it Along, the New Jersey Herald, Clear Channel Radio, Intercar Mercedes Benz and Sussex Honda.    Toys are collected at Project Self-Sufficiency, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton, as well as at various drop-off sites located throughout Sussex County.  Monetary donations are used to purchase toys, gift cards and other items for children in need.

“It’s less about the golf now and more about getting together with the guys and feeling good that we are raising money for a good cause,” noted organizer John Carr, who founded the Leftover Tournament with a buddy 13 years ago.  “We’re thankful to Andy Mulvihill and Crystal Springs/Wild Turkey because they allow us to use this time slot every year and they offer us a reduced rate because it benefits a charity.”

Toys and monetary donations for the Season of Hope toy drive will be gratefully received through December 12^th; donations received after that date will be used for future toy drives.  For more information about donating toys or funds in support of the Season of Hope toy drive, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Sign up for Free Health Insurance at Project Self-Sufficiency

Project Self-Sufficiency offers open enrollment appointments for New Jersey Family Care, the health insurance plan offered by the state of New Jersey to eligible children and low-income parents, every Wednesday morning, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., and every Thursday evening, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. 

New Jersey Family Care is a comprehensive health insurance program that provides a wide range of services, including visits to a physician, eye glasses, hospitalization, lab work, x-rays, prescriptions, regular checkups, mental health, and dental coverage.  Medical services are available at Health Maintenance Organizations in each county.  Depending on family income, there may be restrictions on certain services.  Coverage in the health care plan is available for children 18 years of age and younger, as well as parents who meet income eligibility requirements.  Eligibility is based on family size, monthly income and other factors. 

Parents and guardians who have not resided in the United States as Legal Permanent Residents for at least five years are not eligible for NJ FamilyCare.  However, any pregnant woman, regardless of date of entry can apply and be determined eligible.  NJ FamilyCare only accepts applications from parents and guardians with work income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level.  For example, parents and guardians in a family of four, making up to $2,444 per month, may be eligible.  However, some parents and guardians in a family making up to $2,444 may not be eligible because income such as unemployment, child support and government benefits are counted differently. 

Parents at higher income levels may have the option of purchasing health insurance for their children at reasonable rates through the New Jersey Family Care ADVANTAGE program.  Applicants will be eligible for New Jersey Family Care only if they have been uninsured for a period of three months or more, or if health coverage was lost due to layoffs or other factors.  Depending on income, other exceptions may apply for families privately paying for health insurance or for COBRA benefits.  For many families, New Jersey Family Care will be free.  Other families will pay a monthly premium based on their income and small co-payments for some services.

Immigrant parent/caretakers who are legal permanent residents of the United States must have had that status for at least five years in order to be eligible for NJ FamilyCare.  Children age 18 or younger in "Qualified" immigrant status are able to apply for NJ FamilyCare, regardless of the date that they entered the United States; they do not have to wait five years to be eligible.  "Qualified" status includes a lawful permanent resident, a refugee, an asylee, a Cuban-Haitian entrant, an undocumented resident whose deportation is being withheld by USCIS, an Amerasian immigrant, a child of an honorably discharged United States military veteran, a child of a member of the United States military, an immigrant paroled for over one year, or an applicant under the Violence Against Women Act.  Certain American Indians born in Canada are treated the same as a United States citizen for the purpose of Medicaid eligibility.

Applicants are required to bring proof of income, citizenship information, social security number, and information about existing health coverage to the enrollment appointment.  Interested applicants are encouraged to call Project Self-Sufficiency or visit the New Jersey Family Care website, www.njfamilycare.org, for more information.  Individual appointments at Project Self-Sufficiency are free and open to the public, but registration is required.   Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.   To register, or to find out more about enrollment in the New Jersey Family Care program, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.orgor call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Check out these Computer Classes

Project Self-Sufficiency will be offering a variety of computer classes in December, including a basic Introduction to Personal Computers, classes in Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as workshops 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 Microsoft 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, December 4^th – 20th, 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 Tuesdays and Thursdays, December 4^th – 20th, from 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 advanced class on Mondays and Wednesdays, December 3^rd – 19^th, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or Tuesdays and Thursdays, December 4^th – 20th, 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 – 8:30 p.m., December 5^th, 12^th and 19th.  The course will also explore the development of resumes and cover letters.

The agency will also offer a series of workshops designed to help participants land and succeed at new jobs.  “Job Search & Networking Techniques” will be offered on Mondays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, December 5th, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.  “Cover Letters & Resumes” will be held on Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, December 12th, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.  “Interview Skills, Workplace Literacy & Salary Negotiation” will be offered on Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, December 19th, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.  “Financial Management” seminars are held on Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   “Careering 102” will be held on Fridays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

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 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.

Monster Truck Event Supports Toy Drive

What happens when the owners of a restaurant, a farm stand and a collection of monster trucks get together to come up with an idea for a toy drive?  Area residents are invited to find out on Saturday, December 1^st and Sunday, December 2nd, when car enthusiasts who bring a new, unwrapped toy or a $5 contribution to the Chatterbox Restaurant between 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. will be allowed to ride in a monster truck in the unused fields at Ideal Farms.  All proceeds benefit the Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive for Sussex County children.  The vehicles will be provided by New Jersey Monster Trucks, a company which specializes in hosting monster truck events throughout the state.  The Chatterbox Restaurant is located at 1 State Highway 15, at the intersection of Route 206, in Augusta.  Ideal Farms is located across the street.  Patrons are invited to park at the Chatterbox, drop off their contributions and queue up for a joy ride.

Hosting the event in support of local families was important to Don Hall, owner of the Chatterbox Restaurant and a supporter of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “I am very familiar with Project Self-Sufficiency.  It is a county-based organization and we want to keep these contributions in the county.”

The Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive involves a consortium of local social service agencies and businesses who have banded together to collect toys and other items for low-income families in the area.  Led by Project Self-Sufficiency, the group includes Pass it Along, Intercar Mercedes Benz, Sussex Honda, The New Jersey Herald and Clear Channel Radio.  The group hopes to collect more than 10,000 items for distribution to low-income Sussex County families in mid-December. 

“We are extremely grateful to the owners of the Chatterbox Restaurant, Ideal Farms and New Jersey Monster Trucks for the creative way they have come together in support of the low-income families in our area,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “Neighbors like these truly will make this a season of hope for Sussex County children.”

Those who wish to contribute to the Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive, but who are unable to attend the Monster Truck event on December 1^st and 2nd, are encouraged to drop off a new, unwrapped toy at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Gift items will be gratefully received at Project Self-Sufficiency, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton, Monday – Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., or Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Additional drop-off sites will be added in the coming weeks.  Donations are requested by December 12th in order to allow ample time for the items to be distributed to needy families.   For more information, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.