Bankruptcy Seminar at Project Self-Sufficiency

Steve McNally, Esquire, will discuss the process of filing for bankruptcy, as well as options available to those facing overwhelming credit card debt, foreclosure or asset repossession at a free Bankruptcy Seminar on Wednesday, April 10th, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Free and open to the public; registration required.  Call 973-940-3500 to register.

Area Designers Help Raise Funds for Project Self-Sufficiency

The creative touch of several local interior designers will be added to “A Taste of Talent,” the annual fundraiser on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency, which will be held at Perona Farms on Monday, April 22nd at 6:30 p.m.  In addition to sampling hors d’oeuvres, entrees and desserts from more than 30 area restaurants, patrons will be invited to bid on table arrangements created by the designers.  Each table may contain place settings, art objects, floral arrangements, and decorative items centered on the theme of “Dinner and Movie.”  The highest bidder will take home the contents of the entire table.  Now in its 17^th year, “A Taste of Talent”, will benefit Project Self-Sufficiency, a local non-profit agency specializing in services for low-income families in Sussex, Morris and Warren counties.  Sponsorships for the event range from $500 - $25,000, and a limited number of individual tickets are available at a cost of $200. 

Esteemed local designers who will be participating in “A Taste of Talent” include Patricia Bruterri, Sweet P.E.A.’s; Holly George, Holly George Interior Design; Melissa Mauro-Duffy, Fine Design; Jacky Murphy, Victory Frame Shop; Ellyn Norwillo, AMA Designs; and Alicia Shearer, Alicia Shearer Interior Design.  Table designs will feature items associated with the movies Alice in Wonderland, Casablanca, Lincoln, The Artist, and Moonstruck.

Designer Alicia Shearer is enthusiastic about contributing her designs to A Taste of Talent this year, noting, “It’s a great honor to be involved in A Taste of Talent again this year.  The event is going to be special.  The services that Project Self-Sufficiency provides to the community are wonderful, and I am inspired just to participate.”

Patricia Bruterri, owner of Sweet P.E.A.’s, agreed saying, “This is a fabulous cause, and A Taste of Talent is a wonderful, upbeat event that brings out the best in the community.”

Past participating restaurants in A Taste of Talent have included  Perona Farms, Alice’s, Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique, Bar Louis, Black Forest Inn, Bobolink Dairy, Café Pierrot, Caffe NaVona, Chatterbox, Cheddar Alley, Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream, The Delmonico Room, The Dining Room, Everything Homemade, Fossil Farms, George’s Wine & Gourmet Gallery, Homestead Rest, Innova Cuisine, Jimmy’s Italian Tavern, Krave Café & Caterers, Patisserie Fauchere, Restaurant Latour, Salt Gastro Pub,  Salt Studio, Tanti Baci Caffe, Thai Nam Phet, Threefold Café, Transatlantic Foods, the Trinity Restaurant & Lounge, and others.  

 “A Taste of Talent is our signature fundraising event and the cornerstone to our annual campaign,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We are looking forward to the creative energy which will be added by the design community to this special evening.   Project Self-Sufficiency is in need of the community’s support now more than ever.  Due to the current economic situation, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of low-income families requesting assistance.  ‘A Taste of Talent’ provides a wonderful opportunity for people to reach out and help their neighbors at this difficult time.”

Perona Farms is located at 350 Andover-Sparta Road in Andover.  To make a contribution to Project Self-Sufficiency, to obtain tickets to “A Taste of Talent,” or to find out more information about the programs and services available at the agency, call 973-940-3500.

Learn about Legal Issues Impacting Senior Citizens

Project Self-Sufficiency will sponsor a free seminar about legal issues related to the elderly on Wednesday, April 10th, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the agency’s campus, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  The “Elder Law” seminar will provide an overview of general estate planning, development of a will, advance directions for healthcare, dealing with Medicare and Medicaid, tips on caring for aging parents, and other issues related to the elderly.  The presentation, which will be facilitated by Jan Pasculli, Esquire, and Len Pasculli, Esquire, is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Project Self-Sufficiency provides a variety of legal services to participants, including one-on-one consultations, pro se divorce workshops, legal clinics for assistance with the preparations of family law motions, and monthly legal forums.  The agency’s legal services programs are sponsored by the Sussex County Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency.

Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey.  The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to improve their lives and the lives of their children while achieving personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,500 families, including more than 30,000 children. 

The “Elder Law” seminar will be held at Project Self-Sufficiency on Wednesday, April 10th, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  Attendance is free, but registration is required.  To register, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Project Self-Sufficiency Welcomes Commissioner Allison Blake

Dr. Allison Blake, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children & Families, paid a visit to Project Self-Sufficiency on Thursday, March 21^st, to get a glimpse of the work being done by the agency on behalf of low-income families in northwestern New Jersey.  The Commissioner toured the agency’s “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop and stopped by an Enough Abuse child sexual assault prevention workshop.  Project Self-Sufficiency offers a variety of programs designed to assist low-income families in northwestern New Jersey along the path to economic self-sufficiency.

The “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop offers new and gently-used prom dresses and accessories to teens each spring.  Girls are invited to select a dress from the agency’s collection, which is replenished year after year from donations from the community.  The prom shop was initiated by high school students Isabella and Sophie Ilaria several years ago, and is now operated by the Parent Advisory Board of the Sussex County Family Success Center.  The agency gives away hundreds of dresses to area teens each spring.

“Prom time is such a special and exciting time in the life of any youth,” said DCF Commissioner Dr. Allison Blake.   “It signifies so much in respect to our lives, a culmination of much hard work, a final step closer to graduation and the beginning of a new journey- college and career.  I am absolutely thrilled to have been able to join in support of the Sister-to- Sister Prom Shop Dress event this year in celebration of the achievements of the many young women who participated and feel so privileged to have been able to partake in such an important and momentous time in their lives.”   

The agency has recently initiated the Enough Abuse campaign, under the umbrella of the Sussex Warren Partnership to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey.  Training programs are offered frequently at Project Self-Sufficiency, as well as at other venues, to offer tips to coaches, teachers, parents, students and child-serving professionals about detecting and helping to prevent child sexual assault.  A training program for area professionals was in progress during the Commissioner’s visit.

“Project Self-Sufficiency is proud to be able to showcase to the Commissioner of the Department of Children & Families the wide variety of programs we offer to area residents,” noted Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.  “The Enough Abuse campaign is quickly spreading across Sussex and Warren counties, offering area residents the opportunity to take a stand against the horrors of child sexual assault.  In addition, the Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop allows teen girls to select a dress in a dignified setting.  These programs demonstrate Project Self-Sufficiency’s dual mission of promoting economic self-sufficiency and family stability for families residing in northwestern New Jersey.”

Girl Power Series to be Offered in April

The Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey will sponsor “Girl Power” at Project Self-Sufficiency during April.  The three-part series teaches girls in grades 4 – 8 effective communication and social skills to boost confidence and encourage healthy relationships.  Girls will also learn how to discern the truth from messages encountered in the media.  The program will take place on Wednesdays, April 3^rd, 10^th and 16^th, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  The cost is $24 for girls not currently enrolled in Girl Scouts, and only $3 for current Girl Scouts.  Financial assistance is available.  Advance registration is required.  Contact Lisette Tufaro at 973-927-7722, extension 21, or ltufaro@gsnnj.org by March 28^th to register.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.

Learn about the Girl Scouts

Sussex County girls in grades kindergarten through third are invited to attend “A Taste of Girl Scouting” on Monday, April 1^st, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Participants will learn about the benefits of joining Girl Scouts, while playing games and helping with a community service project.  Parents are also welcome to attend.  The $24 fee covers membership and program supplies; financial assistance is available.  Advance registration is required.  Contact Lisette Tufaro at 973-927-7722, extension 21, or ltufaro@gsnnj.org by March 28^thto register.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.

Free Program about Cervical Cancer

Area residents are invited to a free program about cervical cancer prevention at Project Self-Sufficiency on Thursday, March 28^th, from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.   The program will address the definition of cervical cancer, the transmission of the disease and the current measures available to help prevent it.  The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required.  Lunch will be provided.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  To register, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Free Legal Advice offered on Thursdays

Area residents are invited to privately discuss issues related to divorce, bankruptcy or other topics with an attorney on Thursdays, April 4^th– 25^th, 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.

Free Health Insurance for Kids

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.  The income eligibility level for children's coverage is 350% of the federal poverty level.   For example, children in a family of four with a monthly income of up to $6,432 could be eligible for coverage.  The program is also accepting 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 at least six months, 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.