Prom Dress Donations and Volunteers Needed

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.  Dresses must be dry cleaned and on a hanger.  In the shop, which is housed on Project Self-Sufficiency’s Newton campus, gowns and accessories are displayed in a boutique-like setting, and girls are invited to select shoes, wraps and jewelry to complement their dress.  Volunteers are needed to assist teen girls with selecting gowns and accessories during the prom shop, which will take place at Project Self-Sufficiency, March 30^th – April 4^th.

“The community has been particularly supportive of the Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop every year, and we are fortunate to have a large collection of beautiful gowns and accessories in our collection,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “Every young woman deserves the chance to have a beautiful dress for that special, once-in-a-lifetime event.”

Adult volunteers are needed to assist teen girls as they select gowns from the collection at Project Self-Sufficiency’s “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop.  Volunteers must be over the age of 21; candidates are invited to register online or call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500. 

Donations will be accepted at Project Self-Sufficiency, Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Friday, 9:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  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 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Free Parenting Classes Start in March

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer parenting workshops for parents of children of all ages this spring.  Participants will learn about the different stages of physical and emotional development during infancy, childhood and adolescence, as well as techniques for positive discipline and improved communication.  The course will run on Wednesdays, March 18^th – May 20^th, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.; classes are co-sponsored by the Sussex County Family Success Center and Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for Young Children.  The sessions are free and open to the public, but registration is required.   The agency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. 

The parenting classes offered by Project Self-Sufficiency follow the Nurturing Parent curriculum which teaches age-specific parenting skills and includes components designed for parents as well as children.  The workshops encourage parents to share their experiences with each other.

“The ‘Nurturing Parenting Program’ fosters the capacity of children and parents to trust, care and respect other people and their environment,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “The curriculum emphasizes the reinforcement of positive behavior, attachment parenting, nurturing discipline and gentle touch, like infant massage.”

The curriculum is supplemented by small group discussion for adults along with play groups for children which reinforce the weekly lesson plans. “This course offers a group dynamic where families can share experiences and learn from others in similar situations,” adds Berry-Toon.

The Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency is a program of support offered to all families.  In addition to parenting skills training, local families can participate in family activities, receive information about health and nutrition, take part in economic self-sufficiency programs, receive legal education, obtain referrals, and other services throughout the year.   Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for Young Children, has been designed by the New Jersey Department of Children & Families to address the needs of local families who are expecting or who are parenting young children.  County Councils for Young Children have been established in every New Jersey county to bring together parents, caregivers, as well as health, education and social service professionals to enhance communication, coordination and collaboration of services. 

To register for the free parenting workshops, 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 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.  Information about the Sussex County Family Success Center can be found at www.sussexcountyfamilysuccesscenter.org.  Information about Project Sussex Kids is available at www.projectsussexkids.org.