Project Self-Sufficiency

More than 500 Sussex County families will be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings this year, thanks to the generosity of local businesses, churches and individuals who donated voluminous amounts of food for Project Self-Sufficiency participants.?Agency staff and volunteers recently bagged hundreds of frozen turkeys, along with fresh produce, cans of cranberry sauce, vegetables, stuffing mix, dinner rolls, and freshly baked pies and distributed them to local families. Thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables were provided by longtime Project Self-Sufficiency volunteer Michael McNamara and his family in recognition of McNamara’s recent birthday. “My whole family is involved in supporting Project Self-Sufficiency all year long,” noted McNamara. “I have been fortunate in my life, and I am honored to be able to use this opportunity to help those in need.” ? The First Presbyterian Church of Newton Youth Group, along with help from the congregation and members of Girl Scout Troop #98136, donated 200 freshly baked pies.?“The Youth Group and the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Newton look forward to baking pies for Project Self-Sufficiency’s Thanksgiving baskets each year. The mission of our church is to be a beacon of light and hope to our community, and pie-baking is just one of the ways that we let our light shine,” said Colleen Duffy, Associate for Family Nurture at the First Presbyterian Church. ? Project Self-Sufficiency Leadership Council member Roy Knutsen, in conjunction with Lake Mohawk Golf Club President Chuck Roberts, spearheaded a fundraising drive to purchase 300 turkeys for donation to the agency.?“It’s a real pleasure to be able to help needy families with a Thanksgiving meal who might not have had one without Project Self-Sufficiency,” noted Knutsen. “Kudos to the members of the Lake Mohawk Golf Club who stepped in to contribute most of the funds this year.” ? Significant Thanksgiving contributions were made Selective Insurance, Kiddie Academy of Sparta, Reverend George A. Brown Memorial School, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and Perfect Pointe Performing Arts Studio. ? A joint Thanksgiving food drive was also conducted by Board member Dee Fernandez and Leadership Council member Kathy Nauta, with the help of their friends, families, and neighbors, culminating in donations of gift cards and funds to purchase bushels of canned goods and fresh produce.?Hundreds of pounds of fresh apples were supplied by long-time Project Self-Sufficiency supporter John Mathews with the help of Gulick’s Fruit Farm. Generous donations of turkeys, food, baked goods, gift cards, and funds were also received from numerous other individuals and families. ? Deliveries to homebound families were provided by parishioners of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, a tradition which has been in place for approximately 40 years.?

The eleventh annual “Stuff the Boat” toy drive coordinated by Branchville business Off Shore Marine to benefit Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive has been launched.?Area residents are encouraged to bring gift cards, funds, and new, unwrapped toys to fill a 23-foot Barletta Lusso boat at the dealership, which is located at 357 Route 206 in Branchville.?A wide range of first responders and area businesses and organizations are gathering toys to Stuff the Boat on behalf of the Season of Hope Toy Drive, including members of the Branchville Hose Company, the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, Frankford Township Fire Department, Sandyston Township Volunteer Fire Department, Sussex Fire and Emergency Medical Service, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Sussex Fire Department, along with the Kiwanis Club of Sussex and Royal Buick GMC of Sussex, ?A special Community Drop Off event will be hosted at Off Shore Marine, Saturday, December 7th, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; toys will be accepted at Off Shore Marine through Thursday, December 12th.? ? Those who drop off toys at the Branchville dealership on December 7th, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., will also be treated to photos with Santa. “This year marks the eleventh annual Stuff the Boat collection for Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive,” remarked Off Shore Marine owner Sherri Cecchini, who was inspired to launch the effort after dropping off a bag of toys and touring the non-profit agency years ago.?“We are invested in our community; we have built our business and raised our family here.?Putting goodness into the world is the right thing to do, and if we each contribute where and what we can, together we can make a real difference.” ? “This unique collaboration between local businesses and area first responders perfectly demonstrates the true spirit of giving during this holiday season,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.?“Now more than ever, we are grateful for this community’s steadfast commitment to our neighbors in need.?Thousands of families will be helped by this initiative.” ? The Season of Hope Toy Drive is coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency to benefit thousands of children in Sussex and Northern Morris and Warren counties.?Toys, gift cards and monetary donations will also be gratefully received at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street in Newton, Monday – Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. or Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.?To donate online, or for more information, visit https://lnkd.in/e_iWtPu or call 973-940-3500.

Gloria shares her story about working with families at Project Self-Sufficiency. Want a job that has a positive impact in the community? Apply now: https://lnkd.in/egMrE_G

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Local parents are invited to attend an information session about the Journey Family Success Center Parent Advisory Board at Project Self-Sufficiency, Tuesday, November 19th, 5:00 p.m.?Organizers are seeking input from families regarding area services, parenting challenges and concerns, and ideas for upcoming events. Family Success Center staff will highlight ways the agency can address issues facing local parents and incorporate feedback into future programs.?Dinner and childcare will be provided for those in attendance.?The gathering will also be available on Zoom; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to obtain log-in details. Advance registration for the in-person session is required. ? “Input from parents is crucial to the success of the Family Success Center and we are excited about offering residents the opportunity to meet area providers, express their concerns about gaps in services, and identify strategies for moving forward,” remarked Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.?“The Family Success Center has supported Sussex County parents and children for many years. Expanding the Parent Advisory Board will allow us to further respond to the needs of area families and incorporate their suggestions into existing and new programs for the community.” ? Those who attend their first meeting of the Journey Family Success Center Parent Advisory Board will be eligible to receive a gift card. Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.?For information about the Parent Advisory Board, or to find out more about any of the programs sponsored by the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or visit www.journeyfsc.org.

Parents and caregivers are invited to attend free in-person parenting skills workshops at Project Self-Sufficiency to learn practical strategies for addressing common parenting challenges with children. The workshops will help participants identify their parenting goals, manage behavioral problems, and promote healthy child development by using the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, a comprehensive education initiative targeted to parents, healthcare professionals, educators, and caregivers of infants, toddlers, and school-aged children.? ? In-person sessions will be held at 5:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency; pizza and childcare will be available. Attendees will receive a gift card for participating. ? Targeted parenting workshops will address a wide range of topics, including: ·????????Power of Positive Parenting, November 6th ·????????Raising Resilient Children, November 13th. ·????????Raising Confident, Competent Children, November 20th. ? “These workshops will give parents, caregivers, and educators simple and practical strategies to help build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage children’s behavior, and reduce stress,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. ? Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, or register online, https://lnkd.in/eT_QBKnR.

Project Self-Sufficiency will host a free, virtual Family Law seminar on Thursday, November 14th, 7:00 p.m., with attorney Natalie Thompson. ?Participants will discuss child support, grounds for divorce, court procedures, alimony, parenting time, equitable distribution of assets, and other topics related to divorce.?The presentation, which will be offered through Zoom, is free and open to the public; interested attendees should call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, for log-in details.?The agency’s legal seminar series is a program of the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency and is funded by the New Jersey Department of Children & Families.

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer three workshops during November regarding adverse childhood experiences with the goal of educating the public, supporting trauma survivors, and offering tips for prevention and healing within the community.?The workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, which facilitates the conversation about issues surrounding childhood trauma, will be offered virtually over Zoom in English, Tuesday, November 12th, 2:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Wednesday, November 13th, 2:00 p.m.?A virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation on Wednesday, November 20th, 2:00 p.m., 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.?All workshops are free and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to receive log-in details.? ? The Connections Matter curriculum invites providers, parents, and community members to build caring connections to improve resiliency.?Discussion during the workshops will focus on understanding adverse childhood experiences and demonstrating 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 Understanding ACEs workshop, parents, caregivers, and other community providers will learn how childhood trauma impacts physical and neurological development and discuss methods for improving health and well-being across the lifespan. All three workshops are funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey.? ? Speakers will address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social, emotional, and cognitive development, and offer tips and strategies for building resilience.?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 is bringing 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.?

Caitlin shares how her experiences as an employee at Project Self-Sufficiency inspire her every day. Want a job that makes a difference in our community? Apply now! https://lnkd.in/egMrE_G

Project Self-Sufficiency has earned a prestigious endorsement from Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc., (PATNC) as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate, making it one of the top-performing home visiting affiliates within Parents as Teachers’ international network. The official designation was made in October 2024. ? Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that Project Self-Sufficiency is a high-quality member of the home visiting field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity. Families in Sussex and Hunterdon Counties are positively impacted by the services delivered by this program. ? The program includes home visits, group connections, child screening, and connections to community resources. It equips parents with knowledge and resources to prepare their children for a stronger start in life and greater success in school. ? “To earn the Blue Ribbon Endorsement, we underwent a rigorous self-study and review process from the National Center. The process confirms that we are meeting Parents as Teachers’ standards of fidelity and quality,” said Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “Blue Ribbon Affiliates are exemplary programs, delivering the highest quality services to children and families.” ? Implementation with quality and fidelity is vital in home-visiting programs as it determines a program’s effectiveness in accomplishing its original goals and intended outcomes. It also verifies that a program is being implemented as designed. Parents as Teachers’ rigorous endorsement process demonstrates an affiliate's accountability and credibility to the community, its funders, elected officials, and the partner organizations with which they work. ? ?“We are looking forward to strengthening our outreach to mothers of young children in need and continuing to help these families to develop the skills they need for success,” added Berry-Toon. ? In addition to Parents as Teachers, Project Self-Sufficiency offers the Nurse Family Partnership? program to pregnant women who are expecting their first child in Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties.?Personal nurses visit participants in their homes throughout the pregnancy, immediately after birth and during infancy and early childhood.?All Project Self-Sufficiency home visitation programs are free, voluntary, and confidential.? ? 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.?