Local Clergy Welcomed to Community Gathering

Project Self-Sufficiency will welcome representatives from local faith-based organizations to an informational gathering on Thursday, June 23rd.  The clergy and lay leaders from local parishes, synagogues and other houses of worship will be invited to tour the campus, learn about the programs and services available at the non-profit agency, and offer input for future programming.

“Many of the families served by Project Self-Sufficiency are members of the churches and synagogues here in our community.  We are looking forward to discussing the activities that we currently offer to families living in poverty in our area, and we hope to gather input to incorporate into future programs,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “We will also be introducing clergy members to the new Central Intake and Project Sussex Kids initiatives offered at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Coming together to share insights and offer solutions to the problems faced by these families will only serve to make all of our efforts more cohesive and ultimately more successful.”

The Clergy Breakfast is sponsored by the Sussex County Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency and Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for Young Children.  Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey.  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 achieve personal and economic self-sufficiency, family stability, and to improve their lives and the lives of their children.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 25,000 families, including over 30,000 children. 

For information about the Clergy Breakfast, or to find out more about the programs and services offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

The Media's Impact on Children Discussed at County Council Gathering

A group of concerned parents, educators and social service representatives came together for a discussion of the impact of media on children at a recent gathering at Project Self-Sufficiency.  The meeting was facilitated by Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for Young Children.  Attendees also received an update on the progress of the new council which was launched last year by the New Jersey Department of Children & Families in order to address the needs of local families who are expecting or parenting young children. 

Keynote speaker Gwen Federico-Malone, MSW, Associate Director of Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services (DASI), offered an informative presentation, “The Role Media Plays in How Children Perceive the World and Themselves.”  Participants learned about the potentially harmful messages children receive from the media on a regular basis, and discussed ways for parents to mitigate the impact of the media onslaught.  “Children have always learned how to behave in the world from the stories of their time, and the mass media are today's story-tellers,” explained Federico-Malone.  “If the stories our children see routinely involve violence as a solution to problems, or simply as a random omnipresence, what kind of personal value system and cultural worldview are we passing on to our children?”

County Councils for Young Children have been established in all of the state’s 21 counties to bring together parents and caregivers, as well as health, education and social service professionals to enhance communication, coordination and collaboration of services.  The meetings of the General Council are designed to gather information from area residents about their concerns and to disseminate updates on the progress of the council.  Project Sussex Kids Coordinator Haley McCracken provided an overview of council activities and plans for upcoming events. 

In addition to joining the General Council, the agency continues to seek volunteers to join workgroups to identify community needs.  Groups meet locally to seek input about health and wellness, safety, community events and other topics.  The groups are divided according to the age or needs of the children in the family, including prenatal, special needs, families of infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children, families of school-aged children, and Spanish-speaking families.  To facilitate participation, meetings are held regionally in Newton, Sussex, Vernon, Hopatcong, Ogdensburg and Montague. 

Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey. 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 20,500 families, including over 30,000 children. 

To attend an upcoming General Council Meeting or to volunteer to participate in one of the Project Sussex Kids workgroups, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.  Additional information is available at www.projectsussexkids.org.

Pregnant Women and Parents of Young Children Can Find 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 professional home visitor through Project Self-Sufficiency.  The agency offers a range of home visitation programs to income-eligible families in Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon counties.  The programs are free, voluntary and confidential.  Those who register prior to June 30^th and complete their first home visit can receive a $50 Shop Rite gift card.

Participants in the agency’s home visitation programs receive free parenting tips, baby items, information about childhood health, and other topics from certified nurses or professional home visitors.  The programs combine home visits with educational outings for mother and child 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 three are eligible. 

Mothers also have the opportunity to 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 with their children.  While on site, 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. 

Project Self-Sufficiency’s home visitation services are available to income-eligible residents of Sussex, Hunterdon and northern Warren Counties.  To find out more about the home visitation programs offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.