Pregnant Women and New Mothers Invited to Monthly Gatherings

 

Pregnant women and those with young children are invited to monthly educational gatherings hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency in Sussex and Warren Counties. Along with information sessions about a variety of topics related to early childhood development and maternal-child health, the Mommy Parties feature food and interactive activities for mothers and children. The events are free and open to the public; the Sussex County Mommy Party will be held at Project Self-Sufficiency on Wednesday, November 11^th, noon, while the Warren County event will take place on Tuesday, November 17^th, 11:00 a.m., at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Hackettstown.  The Warren County events are designed to coincide with the arrival of the agency’s mobile services vehicle, Journey, which visits the Warren County location twice monthly.

 

The Mommy Parties are an important component of Project Self-Sufficiency’s outreach to pregnant women and parents of young children; other services include home visitation programs, monthly Baby Beginnings Fairs, semi-annual Pregnancy & Infancy Summits, and Parent Cafes.

 

“These monthly gatherings invite women in Sussex and Warren Counties to forge relationships with others in similar circumstances while learning crucial parenting skills and connecting with resources for additional support,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Chief Executive Office Deborah Berry-Toon.  “We are grateful to be able to offer an opportunity for these families to gain the information and resources they need to become successful parents.”

 

To register for the Mommy Parties, to discuss your parenting needs, or to find out more about other programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500, or visit https://www.projectselfsufficiency.org/pregnancy-help-sussex-warren-nj.

Earth Angels Holiday Help for Seniors Underway

 

Project Self-Sufficiency is currently seeking monetary donations and gift cards to local stores to be distributed to senior citizens as part of the agency’s Earth Angels initiative.  During mid-December, students in the New Jersey Youth Corps high school diploma program at Project Self-Sufficiency will stuff festive bags with gift cards and holiday items; the bags will be delivered by volunteers and Project Self-Sufficiency staff to seniors during the week leading up to Christmas.  Along with monetary contributions, the agency is seeking the donation of gift cards from local retailers, including Kohl’s, Shop Rite, Stop & Shop, Wal-Mart, and Weis.  Note cards, postage stamps, pet food, coffee, tea, candy, and packaged cookies are also welcome.

 

Newton attorney Elenora L. Benz, Esquire, originated the Earth Angels program in 1999 by enlisting the support of her staff member Mary Jones, along with clients, business colleagues, and community volunteers.  The initiative was taken over by Project Self-Sufficiency in 2017.  Although many Earth Angels recipients reside in Newton’s Liberty Towers and Frankford’s Homestead, the program has expanded every year to include senior citizens in other parts of the county.

 

“The Earth Angels program invites all of us to demonstrate compassion for those in our community who may feel overlooked or forgotten during the busy rush of the holiday season,” comments Project Self-Sufficiency Chief Executive Officer Deborah Berry-Toon.  “Our vulnerable seniors need our support, and we are extremely gratified by the outpouring of concern shown by those who donate to this valuable service year after year.”

 

“This year we expect to bring holiday cheer to more than 100 senior citizens in our area,” remarked Earth Angels Project Coordinator Alice Prendergast. “This program also gives us the opportunity to meet with our older neighbors, find out what they need, and introduce them to the services we offer throughout the year.”

 

Monetary donations can be made online at www.projectselfsufficiency.org or by making out a check to “Project Self-Sufficiency” and indicating “Earth Angels” on the memo line.  Donations of checks and gift cards can be dropped off Monday – Friday at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street, Newton, through November 20th.  To register to receive gifts from the Earth Angels program, or to find out more information, call Alice Prendergast at Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500.

Learn about Parent-Child Bonding, Get Free Baby Items

 

Expectant parents and those with young children are invited to receive useful advice about bonding with their children at a free Baby Beginnings Fair offered by Project Self-Sufficiency, Thursday, October 22^nd, 1:00 p.m. Attendees will also be able to access the resources they need to be successful, including free and reduced cost activities for families, information about early childhood health and development, and other topics. Lunch will be provided along with free baby items, prizes and unique giveaways. The Baby Beginnings event is part of a Family Connects NJ program which supplements Project Self-Sufficiency’s robust programs for pregnant women and parents of young children, including home visitation programs, monthly Mommy Parties, and Parent Cafes. Pregnant women and parents of young children are invited to call 973-940-3500 to register.

 

“Accurate information about healthy relationships, early childhood, and development is crucial for the success of new parents and we are grateful to offer this information session to the community,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “In addition to free items for baby and family, the Family Connects NJ Baby Beginnings Fairs allow pregnant women and new parents to engage with area experts and meet others in similar circumstances.”

 

To register for the Family Connects NJ Baby Beginnings Fair, to discuss your early childhood parenting needs, or to find out more about other programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.