Career Help, Support Groups, Children's Activities Available Online

Virtual has become the new reality at Project Self-Sufficiency in Newton as the non-profit agency has pivoted to serving clients via video chat platforms and over the telephone due to the ongoing public health crisis. In addition to distributing record amounts of food to local families, the agency is now hosting support groups, career workshops, parenting forums, and other helpful gatherings online. All services are provided under the auspices of the Sussex County Family Success Center, which is funded by the New Jersey Department of Children & Families. All forums are free and open to the public. Interested participants are encouraged to call the agency to obtain log in information.

Noted author, life coach and motivational speaker Diane Lang hosts Motivation Monday, covering topics ranging from stress management to combatting loneliness. Tuesdays are devoted to playful sessions for parents and children and hosted by staff members from the agency’s Little Sprouts Early Learning Center. Career Center Staff hosts Workforce Wednesday sessions where participants can receive help with resume development, interview skills, cover letters and other topics related to job searching.

Morning Thursday sessions feature professionals from DASI focused on healthy relationships and media literacy. Thursday afternoons are focused on parenting dilemmas addressed with the help of Licensed Clinical Social Worker and parenting expert Kris Imbrie. Separate evening support groups are available to women and men on Mondays and Tuesdays, respectively.

Parenting Expert Kris Imbrie

“The current public health crisis has caused extreme stress for many individuals in our area, thrusting some families to quickly adapt to changing economic circumstances and the presence of children in the home due to the closure of schools and childcare facilities,” commented PSS ED, DBT. “Our staff has worked hard to develop a variety of online resources which will enable those who are struggling with job loss, parenting challenges and emotional upheaval to address their needs in a comprehensive and respectful format.”

In addition to the online forums offered through the Sussex County Family Success Center, Project Self-Sufficiency continues to offer legal consultations with local attorneys via telephone, and free food through The Food Project, Nourishing Our Neighbors at its Newton location. No appointment is necessary to receive food. Donations are gratefully received Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm; those in need can stop by during business hours.

Project Self-Sufficiency is accepting food and monetary donations, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Those who need assistance or who want to drop off a donation are encouraged to call the agency at 973-940-3500 prior to visiting the campus at 127 Mill Street in Newton. To make a donation, or to find out more about the programs and services offered by Project Self-Sufficiency, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

High School Diploma Program Launches in March

Enrollment for the next session of the New Jersey Youth Corps program at Project Self-Sufficiency is underway. The sixteen-week program launches in March and is currently being offered as a hybrid of virtual and in-person curricula and activities. The New Jersey Youth Corps gives those who have not completed high school the opportunity to boost their literacy skills, prepare for the high school equivalency exam, obtain on-the-job work experience, and transition into a career, college or the military. Interested participants are invited to attend virtual Open House hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency to learn more about the New Jersey Youth Corps and to complete an application. Virtual Open Houses will be held on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m., January 19 th , 26 th , February 2 nd , 9 th , and 16th, as well as Thursdays at noon, January 21 st , 28 th , February 4 th , 11 th, and 18 th . In addition, Project Self-Sufficiency is offering a $100 gift card to t...

Little Sprouts Recognized for Excellence

The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center was recently awarded a four-star rating from Grow NJ Kids , the state-sponsored initiative to raise the quality of child care and early learning throughout New Jersey. The rating is based on a rigorous process which considers documentation, classroom environment, in-person observations, and other factors. The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center is an expansive childcare and preschool facility which offers space for 83 youngsters, ages 6 weeks to 6 years, and is operated by Project Self-Sufficiency at 127 Mill Street in Newton. Jennifer Blohm is a Technical Assistance Specialist from the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium , one of three agencies assigned to provide technical assistance and support to programs participating in Grow NJ Kids. Blohm was so impressed by the quality of the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center environment, that she decided to enroll her own child in the preschool. “...

New Jersey's First Female State Trooper Defies Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Gail Just approaches her health with the same no-nonsense attitude which made her a success in her law enforcement career. When an annual mammogram revealed that she had three tumors in one of her breasts, she immediately investigated her alternatives, selected a medical provider, and proceeded with a treatment plan. “I’m a retired state trooper and I tend to take things differently than most people,” remarked Just. “I decided we’re not going to use the word ‘scared.’” Breast cancer is often a silent disease, with virtually no symptoms, but it is often completely curable if diagnosed in its early stages. In 1980, the national five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer was about 74%; today that number is 99%. There are currently more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. One out of eight women will develop breast cancer, yet about 85% of these women have no family history of the disease. A...

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