Get Free Legal Advice in January

Area residents are invited to privately discuss issues related to divorce, bankruptcy or other topics with an attorney on Thursdays, January 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd and 30th, at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Individual consultations will be offered at 45-minute intervals between the hours of 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  The sessions are free and open to Sussex County residents who meet income eligibility requirements; consultations are by appointment only.  To make an appointment, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Food Assistance is Available in January

Fresh, refrigerated and frozen foods are available to northwestern New Jersey residents at sharply reduced prices through the Jolin Food Box program.  The food assistance program offers a variety of ordering options, from breakfast-lunch-dinner combination packs to boxes of dinner entrees to special packages just for children.  Each month features a variety of high-quality menu items from seafood and poultry to baked goods and prepared meals.  The price of a single box ranges from $20 - $40.  There is no limit to the number of boxes an individual or family can purchase, and the menu changes each month.  The program even takes food stamps.  Interested residents can order online with a credit card at www.jolinfoodbox.comor by calling Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.  Payment is made when the order is placed.  The next deadline for placing an order is Monday, January 13th; delivery will be made to Project Self-Sufficiency on Saturday, January 25th.  To find out more about the monthly food deliveries by the Jolin Food Box Program at Project Self-Sufficiency, or any of the other programs and services available at the agency, call 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Learn about Divorce at a Free Seminar in January

Ann Pompelio, Esquire, will offer a free Family Law Seminar at Project Self-Sufficiency on Wednesday, January 8th, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. 

Learn about grounds for divorce, court procedures, child support, equitable distribution of assets, parenting time and other topics related to divorce.  Free and open to the public; registration required.  Call 973-940-3500 to register.

Computer Classes Start in January

Project Self-Sufficiency will be offering a variety of computer classes in January, including an Introduction to Personal Computers, introductory and advanced classes in Microsoft Word, introductory Excel classes, QuickBooks, and 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 computer course is $10, and all of 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 Mondays and Wednesdays, January 6^th – 27^th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 7^th – 23^rd, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 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.  

Introductory classes in Microsoft Word will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, January 6^th – 27^th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 7^th – 23^rd, from 6:00 –9:00 p.m.   Advanced Microsoft Word courses will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 7^th – 23^rd, 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 mailing 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 Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 7^th – 23^rd, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., or on Mondays and Wednesdays evenings, January 6^th – 27^th, 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.

A course in QuickBooks Accounting Software will be offered on Fridays, January 10^th – February 21^st, 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. 

A special Men’s Employment Lab will be offered on Wednesdays, January 8^th – 29^th, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Participants will receive basic computer instruction, and assistance with resume development and job search techniques.

The agency will also offer a series of workshops during the day and evening which are designed to help participants land and succeed at new jobs.  Courses will cover “Resumes & Cover Letters”, “Interviewing Skills”, “Job Search & Networking Techniques”, “Financial Management”, “Workplace Literacy”, “Salary Negotiations”, and “Careering 102.”  Project Self-Sufficiency’s Career Center also offers help with obtaining a GED; job training for women, teens and young adults; career counseling and assessment; Job Start and Job Search services.   Interested participants are encouraged to contact the agency for a schedule.

The fee for each computer course is $10, and all other seminars 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, seminars or career fairs offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Free Job Training for Women Starts in February

Project Self-Sufficiency announces that the spring session of its popular training program, “Higher Opportunities for Women,” will launch February 11th.  The 16-week HOW Program combines intensive computer skills training with classroom instruction and off-site internships to prepare women who have been out of the work force or underemployed to seek entry-level office administrative positions.   Computer training and classroom instruction will take place at the agency’s campus which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  Interested participants are invited to attend an Open House about the program.  Open Houses will be held at Project Self-Sufficiency at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 6^th and 13^th, and at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 23^rd, Thursday, January 28^thand Monday, February 3^rd.

Women who take part in the agency’s HOW program can expect 80 hours of computer skills training, including instruction in Microsoft Word, Excel and other applications.  The HOW program also 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.  Coursework focuses on workplace navigation, life skills training, resume preparation and interviewing strategies. 

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 externship opportunities.  Participants gain real-life work experience while honing the computer skills they have received as part of the HOW training program.  Since the HOW program’s inception, more than 700 women have learned marketable skills leading to economic self-sufficiency. 

Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency explains that the HOW program is more than just a job-skills program.  “The Higher Opportunities for Women program offers participants the opportunity to gain the skills and confidence to compete in today’s job market, and that in turn, helps put food on the table, pay the rent, and ultimately turn around the prospects for the entire family.  Project Self-Sufficiency is in the business of changing lives.  Giving our participants the tools necessary to become economically self-sufficient makes families stable and helps the entire community.”

Project Self-Sufficiency’s “Higher Opportunities for Women” program launches on February 11^th.  To enroll, register for an Open House, or to find out more information about the program, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.