Family Fun Nights Focus on February Holidays

 

Parents who are looking for affordable ways to entertain the kids are invited to check out the free Family Fun Nights hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency on Thursday evenings in February, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., 127 Mill Street, Newton.  A special event to highlight Valentine’s Day will be held on February 8^th.  Families are invited to enjoy classic family films, games, and crafts with a focus on February holidays, including Groundhog Day and the Year of the Dragon, February 1^st, 15^th, 22^nd, and 29th.  Dinner 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.

 

“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,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “The focus on February holidays invites children to express themselves creatively through fun crafts and activities while having fun with their family.”

Formal Wear Donations Needed for Prom Shop

 

Project Self-Sufficiency is seeking donations of new and gently used formal wear, including prom dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses, gowns for mothers-of-the-bride, evening bags, jewelry, wraps and shawls, as well as shoes in good condition for display in the agency’s annual “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop.  The dresses must be dry cleaned and on a hanger. All items will be displayed in a boutique pop-up shop housed on Project Self-Sufficiency’s Newton campus; teen girls are invited to select shoes, wraps and jewelry to complement their dress. The Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop will be open 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., April 4th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11^th; 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., April 5^th and 12^th; and 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., April 6^th and 13^th.  Open to the public; no appointment required.

 

“The community has been particularly supportive of the ‘Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop’ every year, and we hope to have a large collection of beautiful gowns and accessories for display,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We believe that every young woman deserves the chance to have a beautiful dress for that special, once-in-a-lifetime event, and we are looking forward to opening the prom shop in the spring.”

 

Donations will be accepted at Project Self-Sufficiency, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  The Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop is a program of the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency.  For information about the Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop, or to find out more about any of the programs at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Workshop Explains Impact of Childhood Trauma

 

Parents, caregivers, and other community providers are invited to learn how childhood trauma impacts physical and neurological development and discuss methods for improving health and well-being across the lifespan at a virtual Understanding ACEs workshop hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency, Thursday, January 25^th, 2:00 p.m.  The virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation will address the neurological and biological effects of adversity on development and its corresponding impact on the health of the overall population.  Tips for protection, prevention, and promoting resilience within the community will also be discussed.  Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, for log-in details.

 

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been identified as contributors to a host of physical and neurological ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, and depression.  They are also known to lead to mental illness, neglect, sexual abuse, and a variety of dysfunctional behaviors like substance abuse and domestic violence.

 

“Protection, prevention, and resilience promotion can profoundly improve health according to recent discoveries in neuroscience, epigenetics, and epidemiology,” remarked Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.  “The tools identified in this session can positively impact public health, safety, and productivity, and reduce public and private costs now and for future generations.”

 

The workshop is funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey.  The Zoom session is free and open to the public, interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to receive log-in details.