Get Free New or Gently Used Prom Dresses

After taking a break because of the coronavirus, the “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop offered by Project Self-Sufficiency is back in business.  For one week only, teen girls are invited to make an appointment to select a new or gently used prom dress from the agency’s extensive collection.  The prom shop will be open Monday, May 3^rd – Thursday, May 6^th, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, May 8^th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  The public health crisis has forced the agency to make changes to the shopping experience; patrons will need to make an appointment, dresses cannot be tried on, and shoes and accessories will not be available. 

 

“We understand the importance of the prom to teens, and we are delighted to be able to offer the opportunity for every young woman who needs a dress to select the perfect gown at the ‘Sister-to-Sister’ prom shop,” explained Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “Thanks to the dedication of our staff, board, and volunteers, Project Self-Sufficiency has remained open and ready to serve the community throughout this pandemic.  The prom shop is an important step on the path to normalcy and we have hundreds of beautiful gowns available.”

 

Donations of new and gently-used prom dresses are being accepted at Project Self-Sufficiency, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; gowns must be dry-cleaned and on a hanger.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  To make an appointment for the Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop, or to find out more about any of the programs at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.  Visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org for more information.

 

Virtual Family Expo Offers Help to Parents & Caregivers

 

Parents and caregivers are invited to attend Project Self-Sufficiency’s virtual Family Expo, Thursday, April 29^th, 4:00 p.m.  Local social service and healthcare providers will be available to discuss resources for families in the areas of mental health, disability services, housing, domestic violence, social services, early childhood, health, and other topics.  One family in attendance will be randomly selected to receive a $100 gift card.  The Family Expo is sponsored by the Sussex County Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency and Project Sussex Kids, the County Council for Young Children.  Attendance is free and open to the public; interested patrons are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to obtain log-in details.

 

In addition to Project Self-Sufficiency, organizations which will be featured at the event include Atlantic Health System/Goryeb Children’s Hospital and Newton Medical Center; Caring Partners; DASI; Center for Family Support Services; Family Partners; Ginnie’s House; New Jersey Department of Children and Families; SCARC; ShopRite of Newton; Sussex County Special Child Health Services; United Way of Northern New Jersey; Youth Advocate Program; Zufall SNAP-Ed; and others.

 

“The Family Expo encourages parents and children to explore new and interesting activities, and get up-to-date information about local resources,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We are grateful to the health organizations, and social service agencies in our community who are coming together to offer this informative event for local families.”

 

The Sussex County Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency is part of a network of Family Success Centers across the state whose purpose is to strengthen families and neighborhoods; develop networks of family services that foster healthy families; and to build connections within families, between families and to the community.   The Family Success Center provides a wide range of services to participating families, including assistance with healthcare, substance abuse prevention services, career planning, job training, parenting workshops, and life skills training. 

 

Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for Young Children, is an effort funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, which is designed to address the needs of families who are expecting or who are already parenting children up to the age of eight.  County Councils for Young Children have been established in each of the state’s 21 counties to bring together parents, caregivers, and professionals to enhance communication, coordination and collaboration of services.

 

Attendance at Project Self-Sufficiency’s virtual Family Expo is free and open to the public; log-in details will be provided by calling 973-940-3500.

Donations Needed for Prom Shop

 

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.  The Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop will be open during select dates in the spring.

 

“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.”

 

Donations will be accepted at Project Self-Sufficiency, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 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 visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.