Parents Invited to Give Input about Community Services

 

Local parents are invited to offer input about their families’ needs, challenges, and concerns, as well as suggestions for upcoming events, at a meeting of the Journey Family Success Center Parent Advisory Board at Project Self-Sufficiency, Tuesday, April 14^th, 5:00 p.m.  Family Success Center staff will highlight ways the agency can address issues facing local parents and incorporate feedback into future programs. Dinner and childcare will be provided for those in attendance.  The gathering will also be available on Zoom; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to obtain log-in details. Those who attend their first meeting of the Journey Family Success Center Parent Advisory Board will be eligible to receive a gift card. Advance registration for the in-person session is required.

 

“Input from parents is crucial to the success of the Family Success Center and we are excited about offering residents the opportunity to meet area providers, express their concerns about gaps in services, and identify strategies for moving forward,” remarked Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “The Family Success Center has supported Sussex County parents and children for many years, and we are looking forward to responding to the needs of area families and incorporating their suggestions into existing and new programs for the community.”

 

Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. For information about the Parent Advisory Board, or to find out more about any of the programs sponsored by the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or visit www.journeyfsc.org.

Innovative Career & Health Fair in April

 

Area residents are invited to boost their careers and their health by attending an innovative Career & Health Fair hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency, Wednesday, April 15^th, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Local employers and educational institutions will be on hand to promote job openings and scholastic opportunities. A representative from Sussex County Community College will offer an information session about coursework and majors at the institution. In addition, representatives from area healthcare organizations will offer the latest information about the health and well-being of children and families. Further job search guidance, such as mock interviews, will be offered to attendees by Project Self-Sufficiency Career Center staff.  A gift card will be awarded to a lucky Career & Health Fair attendee.  The event is free and open to the public.

 

“We encourage anyone who is interested in advancing their career and improving their health to attend this unique event,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.  “Attendees can get tips for better health and wellness, learn about employment opportunities and options for furthering their education, and explore the resources they need to move forward with their job searching process.”

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will be joined by employers, educational institutions, and healthcare experts to promote job openings and health and wellness resources, including Action Group Staffing, American Red Cross, Atlantic Health System, Capitol Care, Community Health Worker Hub, Heath Village, iHeartMedia, IBEW 102 JATC, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Masis Staffing Solutions, Morris County Vocational School District, New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the State of New Jersey Judiciary, Preferred Care at Home, Primerica Financial Services, RoNetco Supermarkets/Shop Rite, Sussex County Community College, Sussex County Educational Services Commission Project Search, TechFlex, Inc., Thor Labs, and others.

 

For more information about the free Career & Health Fair, or to find out more about the programs and services offered by Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Free Workshops for Parents, Dads, Offered In-Person or Online

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer a unique roster of online and in-person parenting courses beginning in April, including the 24/7 Dad course for fathers as well as the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program, which was designed by the American Psychological Association for parents and caregivers of young children.

 

Fathers are invited to attend special workshops created just for them, either online or in person, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. Created by the National Fatherhood Initiative, the 24:7 Dads program focuses on five characteristics of nurturing and effective fathering and has been proven to transform families and communities. The 24:7 Dad curriculum is designed for expectant fathers as well as experienced Dads. Participants will examine what it means to be a man, health, handling emotions appropriately, discipline, and co-parenting. Twelve consecutive sessions will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency, April 7^th – May 14^th; classes will be offered in-person and online. Pizza and childcare will be available for in-person attendees.

 

“We are excited to be offering the 24:7 Dads program to the community,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “This curriculum invites fathers to examine their relationships with partners and children, and addresses topics like anger, competition, communication, and fun.  We are confident that fathers and families will be transformed as a result.”

 

The ACT Raising Safe Kids Program invites mothers and fathers to learn how to build positive parenting skills, prevent behavioral problems, and encourage effective anger management.  The parenting classes were developed by the American Psychological Association with the goal of educating parents and other adults who raise and care for young children about creating environments which protect them from violence.  Classes will be offered via Zoom on Tuesdays, April 7^th – May 20^th, 6:00 p.m.

“We are delighted to continue offering these innovative parenting courses to the general public,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “Effective parenting is an important factor in preventing behavioral issues and violence, and the curriculum in both programs invites participants to examine their relationships with partners and children, and address topics like anger, competition, communication, and fun.  We are confident that fathers and families will be transformed as a result.”

 

Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, or register online, https://www.projectselfsufficiency.org/parenting-classes.