Help for Parents at Project Self-Sufficiency

 

Parents and caregivers are invited to attend free in-person parenting skills workshops and discussion groups at Project Self-Sufficiency which will offer practical strategies to address common parenting challenges with children. The workshops and discussion groups will help participants identify their parenting goals, address 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 to attendees at all in-person sessions. Additional group sessions will be offered remotely via Zoom. Attendees will receive a gift card for participating.

 

Targeted parenting workshops will address a wide range of topics, including:

·         Power of Positive Parenting, September 4^th

·         Raising Resilient Children, September 11^th.

·         Raising Confident, Competent Children, September 18^th.

·         Developing Good Bedtime Routines, October 2^nd.

·         Hassle-Free Mealtimes with Children, October 9^th.

·         Managing Fighting & Aggression, October 16^th.

·         Dealing with Disobedience, October 23^rd.

·         Hassle-Free Shopping with Children, October 30^th.

 

Positive parenting classes will combine group discussion with individualized sessions regarding:

·         Positive Parenting, September 17^th.

·         Helping Children Develop, September 24^th.

·         Managing Misbehavior, October 1^st.

·         Planning Ahead, October 8^th.

 

Finally, one-on-one coaching will be offered at Project Self-Sufficiency to parents who desire additional support on Tuesdays, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Parents are encouraged to drop in on September 10^th, 24^th, October 8^th, and 22^nd.

 

“These programs 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://www.projectselfsufficiency.org/parenting-classes.

Local Stylists Donate Free Haircuts to Kids in Need

 

Stylists from the Mancuso Salon & Spa and The Village Mane Salon & Day Spa recently joined forces to donate free haircuts to more than 90 local children to help prepare them for the new school year.  The free service, which also included a wash and style, was part of Project Self-Sufficiency’s initiative to help prepare low-income families during the back-to-school season.  The free haircuts served as the culmination of the agency’s Back-to-School effort, which also featured an interactive fair hosted by the Journey Family Success Center and Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for Young Children, at Project Self-Sufficiency, at an earlier date.   

 

“Offering free haircuts to children has been a staple of Project Self-Sufficiency’s Back-to-School initiative for many years,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.  “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of these stylists who volunteered to work on their day off to assist so many students in need. The children were delighted with their experience, and they all look fantastic!”

 

“This has been a goal of mine for many years because there is a great need in our community,” added Jacqueline Cox, co-owner of Mancuso Salon & Spa.  “I am so thrilled that we could work with Project Self-Sufficiency to make this happen. The children were able to come here and receive the whole salon experience and do it on a day when most people in this industry have the day off.  We made it an extra special experience for them.”

Back-to-School Fair Helps Hundreds of Local Families

 

Hundreds of parents and children recently turned out for a Back-to-School Fair hosted by the Journey Family Success Center and Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for Young Children, at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Designed to prepare the entire family for a successful academic year, the event featured numerous parenting skills workshops, children’s activities, information from local social service agencies and healthcare organizations, ambulance tours, and on-site therapy dogs. Children and families received new backpacks filled with school supplies and were invited to enjoy free pizza and snacks while being serenaded by local musicians, including the Exit 12 duo and singer/guitarist Mia Bonaldi. Transportation for patrons was provided by the Stocker Bus Company.

 

“We are pleased to be able to help both parents and children to prepare for a successful school year at the annual Back-to-School Fair,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director at Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We commend all of the social service agencies, healthcare organizations, businesses, and volunteers who have taken the time to lend a helping hand to local families in need.”

 

In addition to dinner and activities for children, the Back-to-School Fair featured informative, break-out sessions for parents about common parenting challenges, including managing bedtime routines, shopping, mealtimes, and disobedience.  Presentations spotlighted the positive parenting techniques recommended by the Triple P program, which is a cornerstone of Project Self-Sufficiency’s offerings for parents throughout the year.

 

In addition to Project Self-Sufficiency, informational exhibits and interactive activities for children were provided by Atlantic Health System, Newton Medical Center and the Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative; Care Plus New Jersey Kinship Navigator; Caring Partners of Morris & Sussex Counties; Center for Family Services; Center for Prevention & Counseling; DASI; New Jersey Division of Child Protection & Permanency; Family Partners of Morris & Sussex Counties; Family Promise of Sussex County; Ginnie’s House Children’s Advocacy Center; Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey Literacy Project; Morristown Medical Center, Safe Kids Safe Communities; New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S), Intensive Family Support Services; Newton Behavioral Health; Newton Volunteer First Aid & Rescue Squad; NORWESCAP; South Jersey Industries, Energy Assistance for Elizabethtown Gas; Sussex County Community & Youth Services; Sussex County Division of Health, Office of Public Health Nursing; Sussex County Division of Social Services; Sussex County Library; Sussex County Special Child Health Services, NJ CEED Program; and Zufall Health Clinic.