Free, Virtual Parenting Classes this Spring

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer virtual parenting workshops for parents with children of all ages, Tuesdays April 11^th – May 30^th, 6:00 p.m.  Participants will learn how to build positive parenting skills, prevent behavioral problems, and encourage effective anger management.  The parenting classes offered by Project Self-Sufficiency follow the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program developed by the American Psychological Association which aims to educate parents and other adults who raise and care for young children about creating environments which protect them from violence.  Classes are co-sponsored by the Journey Family Success Center and Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for Young Children.  The sessions are free and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 for log-in details.

 

“The ACT Raising Safe Kids curriculum is based on the premise that effective parenting is an important factor in preventing behavioral issues and violence,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We are delighted to continue offering these innovative parenting courses to the general public.”

 

To register for the free parenting workshops, to discuss your parenting needs, or to find out more about other programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500. 

Discuss Childhood Trauma, Prevention

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will continue the workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, designed to facilitate the conversation about issues surrounding adverse childhood experiences, with virtual sessions in English, Thursday, April 6^th, 2:00 p.m. and in Spanish, Thursday, April 20^th, 2:00 p.m.  Interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 for log-in details.  Additional in-person workshops will be hosted by the Dennis Library in Newton; a session in English will be held Monday, April 24^th, 5:00 p.m., and a session in Spanish will be offered Wednesday, April 26^th, 5:00 p.m.  Pizza will be provided at the Dennis Library workshops.  The Dennis Library is located at 101 Main Street, Newton.  All workshops are free and open to the public.

 

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 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.

 

Speakers will address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social, emotional, and cognitive development, and offer tips and strategies for building resiliency.  Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) 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.

 

Project Self-Sufficiency 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 and assuring safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. 

Job Fair Coming in April

 

Local businesses and organizations are gearing up to recruit new staff members at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Career Fair on Thursday, April 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.

 

“We encourage anyone who is interested in advancing their career to attend this unique event,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.  “In addition to learning about employment opportunities and options for furthering their education, job seekers can get immediate feedback on their resume, fine-tune their interview skills, and get tips on enhancing their job search process.”

 

Past Career Fairs have featured more than 50 are employers.  In addition to Project Self-Sufficiency, employers and educational institutions who have already signed on to promote job openings include Abilities of Northwest Jersey; Atlantic Health System; Atlantic Private Care Services; Broadstep Behavioral Health; Employment Horizons;  International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 102; Land of Make Believe; Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges; New Jersey Department of Labor; New Jersey Superior Courts – Morris/Sussex Vicinage; Old Navy; Parker Group; Planet Networks; Preferred Care at Home; Primerica Financial Services; RoNetco Shop Rite; The Rose House; Skylands Medical Group; Sussex County Community College; Tomahawk Lake Water Park; ThorLabs; Tractor Supply; United Methodist Communities at Bristol Glen; United Methodist Communities Homeworks; 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.