Driver's License Education Offered

 

Project Self-Sufficiency announces that the agency’s popular Bridges to Employing Youth program for young adults ages 16 – 24 has now added driver education classes to its curriculum.  Enrolled students can receive the behind-the-wheel coursework, obtain a learner’s permit, and prepare for the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Knowledge Test while accessing the other supportive services offered by the agency.  The Bridges to Employing Youth initiative assists pregnant and parenting young adults with a range of comprehensive supportive services while they work towards parenting and employment goals.  Program participants are poised to move on to higher education, unsubsidized employment, occupational training, apprenticeships, or military service.  The Bridges to Employment program operates Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the agency’s Newton campus.  In addition to driver education, coursework includes employability skills training, parenting classes, job search assistance, and case management. 

 

“The Bridges to Employing Youth program offers a unique combination of educational, employment and case management services which can transform the future of our students and their families,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Project Self-Sufficiency’s Executive Director.  “The addition of driver education classes will allow students to work towards their driver’s license and access employment opportunities that are beyond the reach of the limited public transportation available in Sussex County.”

 

Eligibility for the Bridges to Employing Youth program is based on age, pregnancy or parenting status, and employment needs.  Academic services are provided to those who have already achieved a high school diploma but require basic skills remediation.  Those who do not need educational services focus on employability and parenting skills.

 

The Bridges to Employing Youth Program is funded by the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development.  Those who are interested in learning more about the Bridges to Employing Youth initiative at Project Self-Sufficiency are encouraged to register online at www.projectselfsufficiency.org or call 973-940-3500.

Career Fair Coming in October

 

Local businesses and organizations are gearing up to recruit new staff members at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Career Fair on Thursday, October 13^th, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Representatives from local employers and educational institutions will be on hand to promote job openings and scholastic opportunities.  Additional job searching resources, such as mock interviews, will be offered to attendees by Project Self-Sufficiency Career Center staff.  The Career Fair is free and open to the public; all attendees must wear masks. 

 

“We encourage anyone who is interested in advancing their career to attend this unique event,” commented 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 employment opportunities and options for furthering their education.”

 

Employers and educational institutions who will be promoting opportunities include Abilities of Northwest Jersey; Atlantic Health System; Capitol Care, Inc.; The Chelsea at Sparta; Employment Horizons; FedEx Ground; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 102; New Jersey Army National Guard; New Jersey Department of Labor; New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services; New Jersey Superior Courts – Morris/Sussex Vicinage; Project Self-Sufficiency; RoNetco Shop Rite; The Rose House; Sevita Health; Skylands Medical Group; Sussex County Community College; United Methodist Communities Homeworks; ThorLabs; United States Air Force Recruiting Office; Visiting Angels; Zufall Health; and others.

 

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 visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Program Supports Trauma Survivors, Promotes Prevention

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will continue the workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, designed to facilitate the conversation about issues surrounding Positive & Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACEs), with in-person sessions in English, Wednesday, October 12^th, 5:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Wednesday, October 19^th, 5:00 p.m.  Both workshops are free and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to register.

 

Participants will explore the Connections Matter curriculum, a program funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey designed to engage providers, parents, and community members in building caring connections to improve resiliency.  Discussion will focus on understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma and demonstrate how caring connections can serve as a primary buffer in the negative effects of trauma.  The training is appropriate for parents and providers raising and teaching school aged children.

 

During the on-going workshop series, trauma experts and guest speakers address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social, emotional, and cognitive development, and offer tips and strategies for building resiliency.  Adverse childhood experiences are widely recognized as falling into three distinct categories, abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction.  Examples of negative behavior said to result from ACEs include smoking, alcoholism, drug use, absenteeism, and lack of physical activity.  These behaviors can cause a cascade of physical and mental health problems, from diabetes to cancer to suicidal thoughts.  It is estimated that approximately 67% of the population has experienced at least one adverse childhood experience.

 

The agency aims to bring together professionals, providers, and parents who are committed to increasing awareness of the impact of childhood trauma on juvenile development, future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity.  “Our goal is to help make our community a place in which every child can thrive by providing education and training on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and assuring safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.