Fun Activities for Families in Newton

 

Parents who are looking for affordable ways to entertain the kids this summer are invited to check out the free Family Fun Nights hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency on Tuesday evenings, August 1^st – 29^th, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m., 127 Mill Street, Newton.   The whole family is welcome to enjoy fun activities, classic family films, games, and crafts.  Pizza will be provided for all participants.  Advance registration is encouraged by calling Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500. Family Fun Nights are a program of the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency.

 

“Summer brings with it the opportunity to unwind and enjoy special times with our families,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “These weekly Family Fun Nights offer parents and children a place to relax and have a good time together in a safe and supportive environment.”

Free Parenting Skills Classes in Newton

 

Parents, caregivers and educators are invited to attend an 8-week parenting skills course at Project Self-Sufficiency, Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., beginning August 2^nd.  The workshops are part of the Smart Parents, Strong Communities public health initiative launched recently by Project Self-Sufficiency.  Classes will help participants identify their parenting goals, address behavioral problems, and promote healthy child development. The Smart Parents, Strong Communities features the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, a comprehensive education initiative targeted to parents, healthcare professionals, educators, and caregivers of children up the age of five.   Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, to register.

 

In addition to parenting skills seminars, the program incorporates one-on-one consultations, group meetings, and online support.  The curriculum is used in more than 35 countries and has been shown to work across cultures, socio-economic groups and in many kinds of family structures.  “’Triple P’ gives parents simple and practical strategies to help them build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage their children’s behavior, and prevent problems from developing,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.

 

As the new program develops, other forums will be available to parents to address a wide range of topics targeted to their individual needs, including virtual workshops and additional in-person events.  The overall initiative aims to address the social and emotional health of parents and children, reinforce social connections, promote knowledge of parenting and child development, and provide concrete support in times of need. In-depth presentations regarding specific parenting issues, such as disobedience, aggression, mealtimes, toilet training, and bedtime strategies will also be held at various sites in the community and in partnership with pediatricians and other healthcare providers and education professionals.  The program also offers support for early childhood educators who will be invited to attend online workshops to address child development and other issues. 

Pregnant Women and New Parents Can Get Help at Project Self-Sufficiency

 

Parents of infants and toddlers, or those who are pregnant with their first child, are invited to receive advice and support from a certified nurse or family support worker through Project Self-Sufficiency.  The agency offers a range of family support programs to income-eligible families in Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon counties.  The programs are free, voluntary, and confidential.  Those who register and complete their first consultation can receive a $50 Shop Rite gift card. To find out more about the family support programs offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

 

Participants in the agency’s family support programs receive free parenting tips, baby items, information about childhood health, childhood development assessments, and other topics from certified nurses or family support workers.  The programs combine one-on-one discussions with educational outings for mothers and children to help parents boost literacy levels, address health issues, and help prevent potential developmental delays.  Women who are pregnant or parenting infants, as well as those with children up to the age of five are eligible. 

 

Three different family support programs are offered by Project Self-Sufficiency; placement in each program is dependent on the client’s location, pregnancy, and other factors.  The Healthy Families program is open to at-risk single parents, teen parents, and two-parent families.  Services are offered during pregnancy and are available until children are three years of age in Sussex and Northern Warren Counties.  The Nurse Family Partnership® program at Project Self-Sufficiency offers home visits to pregnant women who are expecting their first child in Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties.  Nurses assist participants throughout the pregnancy, immediately after birth and during infancy and early childhood.  The Parents as Teachers program is designed for women in Sussex and Hunterdon Counties who are parenting an infant or child up to the age of five.

 

Esmeralda Guzman has received help with parenting skills, child development education, and other issues from a Family Support Worker.  “Project Self-Sufficiency is a second family which is there when I have needed it the most, offering me not only support with supplies, but also giving me the tools to motivate myself, see my value as a human being, and care for my family.”

 

Mothers also can meet regularly with other women in similar circumstances by attending monthly gatherings held at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Participants receive the latest information about household safety, parenting, health and wellness, and other topics, while enjoying lunch and engaging in craft projects and fun activities with their children.  Mothers can also take advantage of the other programs and services available to families at the agency.  Transportation to the monthly meetings is available to women in need.