Help Vulnerable Families at Thanksgiving

 

Project Self-Sufficiency is soliciting assistance for hundreds of low-income families who need a little extra help this season, by asking area residents and organizations to donate traditional Thanksgiving food, or to donate funds towards the purchase of food.  Donors are invited to sponsor a family for only $50 or to make a contribution of their choice; contributions made in honor of a loved one are also encouraged. The non-profit agency is gearing up to distribute complete Thanksgiving dinners to approximately 500 local families this year, so monetary donations are particularly needed.  Individuals and families who need help at Thanksgiving are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500. 

 

The agency will gratefully receive pumpkin or apple pies; canned vegetables, including yams and cranberry sauce; dinner rolls; gravy; stuffing and mashed potato mixes.  Contributions, or notification of the intent to contribute, are requested by Friday, November 13th, to allow ample time to package and distribute the goods to needy families.  Frozen turkeys will be gratefully accepted on Wednesday, November 18^th and Thursday, November 19^th; however, donors are asked to alert the agency ahead of time if frozen turkeys will be offered so that sufficient supplies are available to families in need.  Turkeys cannot be accepted earlier or later due to the lack of refrigerated storage space.

 

“Requests for assistance are pouring in every day, and we expect to serve more than 500 families this year,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “However, our wonderfully generous community has consistently demonstrated compassion towards our participants during the holidays, and we are confident that this year will be no exception.“

 

Thanksgiving donations will be gratefully accepted at Project Self-Sufficiency which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  To donate, or to find out more about the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Parenting Course for Fathers Starts in November

 

Fathers are invited to attend special parenting workshops created just for them, either in person at Project Self-Sufficiency or via Zoom, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. Created by the National Fatherhood Initiative, the 24:7 Dad curriculum is designed for expectant fathers as well as experienced Dads. The 24:7 Dad program focuses on twelve habits of confident, effective fathers and has been proven to transform families and communities. Participants will examine what it means to be a man, health, handling emotions appropriately, discipline, and co-parenting. Twelve consecutive sessions will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency, beginning November 3^rd; classes will be offered in-person and via Zoom. Pizza and childcare will be available for in-person attendees.

 

“The 24:7 Dads’ course has transformed families across the country, and we are very excited to offer it to fathers in our community,” explained Project Self-Sufficiency Chief Executive Officer Deborah Berry-Toon. “The curriculum invites participants to tap into their strengths, examine their relationships with partners and children, and address topics like anger, competition, communication, and fun.”

 

Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, or register online, https://www.projectselfsufficiency.org/parenting-classes.

Innovative Career & Health Fair Coming in October

 

Area residents are invited to boost their careers and their health by attending an innovative Career & Health Fair hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency, Wednesday, October 21^st, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Local employers and educational institutions will be on hand to promote job openings and scholastic opportunities. Flu vaccines will be administered by Zufall Health while vaccines for COVID, MMR, Tetanus, and HPV will be available from CVS. In addition, representatives from area healthcare organizations will offer the latest information about the health and well-being of children and families. Further job search guidance, such as mock interviews, will be offered to attendees by Project Self-Sufficiency Career Center staff.  A gift card will be awarded to a lucky Career & Health Fair attendee.  The event is free and open to the public.

 

“We encourage anyone who is interested in advancing their career and improving their health to attend this unique event,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.  “Attendees can get tips for better health and wellness, learn about employment opportunities and options for furthering their education, and explore the resources they need to move forward with their job searching process.”

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will be joined by employers, educational institutions, and healthcare experts to promote job openings and health and wellness resources, including

 

Abilities of Northwest Jersey; American Red Cross; Atlantic Health System, Newton Medical Center; Avenues in Motion; Bayada Home Health Care; Brain Injury Alliance; Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services; Center for Family Services; Child Mind Institute; Cutting Edge Academy; Employment Horizons; Express Employment Professionals; FedEx Freight; Health Village; IBEW Local 102 JATC (Electrical Apprenticeship); Mary Kay Cosmetics; Mountain Creek Resort; NJ4S Mental Health Association; New Jersey Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired; New Jersey Department of Children & Families, Division of Child Protection & Permanency; New Jersey Department of Corrections; New Jersey Department of Health, Biomonitoring Program; New Jersey Division of  Vocational Rehabilitation Services; New Jersey Judiciary; New Jersey Sharing Network; Partnership for Maternal & Child Health of Northern New Jersey; Preferred Care at Home of Northwest New Jersey; Primerica; Provident Protection Plus; Sevita Health; Shop Rite RoNetco;  Sussex County Educational Services Commission Project SEARCH; Sussex County YMCA; Techflex; Thorlabs; United States Army; United States Marine Corps; Visiting Angels; Winter4Kids; YMCA Fairview Lake Camps; Zufall Health; and others.

 

For more information about the free Career & Health 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.