Hundreds of parents and children recently turned out for a Back-to-School Fair hosted by the Journey Family Success Center 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, mobile gaming, and more. 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 Mia Bonaldi, Rich Pell, and students from the Meaningful Melodies vocal studio in Sparta. 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 a seminar about positive parenting techniques and introduced parents to the peer-to-peer support offered by a Parent Cafe.
Informational exhibits and interactive activities for parents and children were provided by ABC for Literacy; Atlantic Health System, Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative and Newton Medical Center; Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey; CarePlus New Jersey Kinship Navigator Program; Caring Partners of Morris & Sussex; Center for Family Services; Center for Prevention & Counseling; DASI; New Jersey Department of Human Services, the Office of New Americans; New Jersey Department of Children & Families, Division of Child Protection & Permanency; Family Partners of Morris & Sussex Counties; Family Promise of Sussex County; Ginnie's House Children's Advocacy Center; Mental Health Association; Newton Volunteer First Aid & Rescue Squad; NORWESCAP Child & Family Resource Services; Project SEARCH; Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency; Project Self-Sufficiency Master Gardeners; Skylands Ride; Sussex County Community & Youth Services; Sussex County Division of Health, Public Health Nursing; Sussex County Division of Social Services; Sussex County Library System; Sussex County Special Child Health Services; Sussex County YMCA; Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.; and Zufall Health Center.
Patrons also toured the Newton Volunteer First Aid & Rescue Squad ambulance, enjoyed the Triple A Mobile Gaming Truck, and were invited onboard the Sussex County Library System’s bookmobile.
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