Special Needs Resource Fair Helps Local Families

Parents, educators and caregivers of those with special needs recently attended a free Resource Fair at Project Self-Sufficiency.  The event featured workshops, guest speakers and vendors designed to support families with special needs individuals of all ages. 

“Through our work in the community, we have encountered many families who expressed a desire for an event which offered a variety of resources for those caring for special needs children and adults in one place,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.   “The feedback we received from our attendees and vendors will enable us to continue to offer access to the resources families need to make informed decisions about the health and welfare of the special needs individuals in their care.  We are particularly grateful to all of the social service organization and healthcare providers who attended.”

 

Diana Perez

Life Change Strategist, Coach and Motivational Speaker Diana Perez kicked off the event with an address about the importance of laughter and mindfulness.  During the event, a panel of experts offered an extensive Question & Answer session to attendees; panelists included Tammy Miller, Hopatcong School District Child Study Team Director; Parent Advocate Kathy Nauta; Helen O’Shea, Special Child Health Services; Dale Phlegar, SCARC; and representatives from DAWN Center for Independent Living.   Additional break-out sessions featured a discussion of respite services by Phlegar along with a presentation about the Educational Pathway by Miller. 

Participants will be encouraged to visit with representatives from local businesses, schools and social service organizations including A Way to Freedom, Caring Partners, Care Management Organization; DAWN Center for Independent Living; Diana Perez; Equine Tranquility Wellness Center; Fairview Lake YMCA Camps; Family Intervention Services; Family Partners of Morris & Sussex Counties; Hardyston SEPAG; Macaroni Kid Sussex; NAMI; New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services; NJ SNAP Ed; NORWESCAP Child & Family Resource Services; Project Search; Project Self-Sufficiency; Regional Family Support Planning Council; SCARC, Inc.; SCARC Guardian Services; Shop Rite; Sussex County Community College, Learning at College Experience; Sussex County Education Services Commission; and Sussex County Special Child Health Services.

Project Self-Sufficiency has improved the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey for more than 30 years.  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 through the achievement of personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 25,000 families. 

For more information about the free Special Needs Resource Fair, or to find out more about the programs and services offered by Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Learn about Local Job Openings at a Free Career Fair

Local businesses and organizations are gearing up to recruit new staff members at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Career Fair on Wednesday, October 30^th, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Job seekers can fine-tune their interview skills, attend multiple workshops and discuss job openings with area employers.  Attendees are encouraged to enter a raffle to win a $250 Shop Rite gift card.  Representatives from local businesses, organizations and educational institutions will be on hand to promote job openings and scholastic opportunities.  Workshops about resume-writing, interview skills and the job search process will round out the event.  The Career Fair is free and open to the public; no registration is required.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.

“We encourage anyone who is interested in advancing their career to attend Project Self-Sufficiency’s Career Fair,” explained Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.  “Job seekers can get immediate feedback on their resume and interview skills in addition to learning about job openings and options for furthering their education.  These tips they receive will help them gain the confidence they need to pursue a successful job search.”

Employers and educational institutions who will be promoting opportunities include Abilities; Action Group Staffing Services; All Ways Caring Home Care; Avtech Technology, Inc.; Barn Hill Care Center; Capitol Care; Center for Humanistic Change of New Jersey; Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health; DeVry University; Element Farms; Express Employment Professionals; Health Care Services Group; Home Depot; iHeartMedia; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local #102JATC; Mary Kay; Morris Sussex Warren Employment & Training Services; Mountain Creek Resort; National Winter Activity Center; Primerica Financial Services; Project Self-Sufficiency; Selective Insurance Company of America; Shop Rite; St. Clare’s Hospital; Sussex County Community College; The MENTOR Network; The Rose House; TransOptions; Valley View Care Center; Veolia North America; the United States Census Bureau; and others.

Project Self-Sufficiency has assisted low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey for more than 30 years.  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 through the achievement of personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 25,000 families. 

Those who attend the Career Fair will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a $250 Shop Rite gift card.  For more information about the free Career Fair, or to find out more about the programs and services offered by Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Special Needs Resource Fair Planned

Parents, educators and caregivers of those with special needs are invited to attend a free Resource Fair at Project Self-Sufficiency on Saturday, November 2nd, 8:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  The event will address the needs of individuals with special needs from infancy through adulthood.  Workshops, seminars, guest speakers and activities for children will be available to participants.  A light lunch and childcare will be provided.  Attendance is free; advance registration is recommended for all attendees but required if childcare will be utilized.  Registration is available on the Project Self-Sufficiency website or by calling 973-940-3500 or 844-804-3500.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.

 

Haley McCracken discusses early childhood services at last year's Special Needs Resource Fair.

Workshops at the Resource Fair, “Special Needs Across the Lifespan,” will address issues with behavior, school, nutrition, health and wellness, recreation and other topics throughout the life span of the special needs’ individual.  A panel of experts will offer a Question & Answer session to attendees, including Tammy Miller, Hopatcong School District Child Study Team Director; Parent Advocate Kathy Nauta; Helen O’Shea, Special Child Health Services; Dale Phlegar, SCARC; and representatives from DAWN Center for Independent Living.   During break-out sessions Phlegar will discuss respite services for caretakers of special needs individuals, Miller will give a presentation about the Educational Pathway, and Life Change Strategist, Coach and Motivational Speaker Diana Perez will address the importance of laughter and mindfulness. 

“Through our work in the community we have encountered many families whose special needs children need support, not just during infancy, but through all stages of childhood, adolescence and adulthood,” noted Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.  “We hope that this Resource Fair will help parents, educators and caregivers to access the information they need to make informed decisions about the health and welfare of the special needs individuals in their care.”

Participants will be encouraged to visit with representatives from local businesses, schools and social service organizations including Caring Partners, Care Management Organization; DAWN Center for Independent Living; Equine Tranquility; Fairview Lake YMCA; Family Intervention Services; Family Partners of Morris & Sussex Counties; Hardyston SEPAG; NAMI; New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services; NJ SNAP Ed; Project Search; Project Self-Sufficiency; Regional Family Support Planning Council; SCARC; Shop Rite; Sussex County Community College, Learning at College Experience; Sussex County Education Services Commission; Sussex County Special Child Health Services; Wellness Center; and others.

Project Self-Sufficiency has improved the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey for more than 30 years.  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 through the achievement of personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 25,000 families. 

For more information about the free Special Needs Resource Fair, or to find out more about the programs and services offered by Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.