Project
Self-Sufficiency is offering a $100 gift card to those who refer young
adults, ages 16 – 24, to the agency’s new Bridges
to Employing Youth program; referred individuals must enroll
in the program, complete the two-week orientation and be inducted into the
program. The Bridges to Employing Youth initiative
assists
pregnant and parenting young adults with a range of comprehensive supportive
services while they work towards educational and employment goals during a
16-week program. Program graduates will
be poised to move on to higher education, unsubsidized employment, occupational
training, apprenticeships, or military service.
The Bridges program will be operated on a year-round basis and be
available to young men and women, ages 16 – 24, who reside in Morris
County. Initial meetings with prospective
students will be held at a location in Morris County, while coursework will
take place at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Newton campus. Additional Morris County outreach sites are
in development. This is the first major
foray into Morris County for Project Self-Sufficiency, which already operates
extensive programs for individuals and families in the New Jersey counties of
Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon.
The Bridges to Employment program will operate Monday – Friday, 10:00
a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; occasional Saturday sessions may be added, if needed. In addition to high school equivalency
instruction, coursework will include employability skills training, community
service, and work experience.
Supplemental academic and counseling support will be available. Transportation assistance will be provided to
participants as needed; students with access to their own transportation will
be given a small stipend to defray travel expenses.
“The new Bridges to Employing Youth program will build on the success of
Project Self-Sufficiency’s New Jersey Youth Corps initiative for young adults
but will allow us to reach those in Morris County who may not have had access
to the unique combination of educational, employment and case management
services which has been proven to transform the future of our students,”
explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Project Self-Sufficiency’s Executive Director. “This program is significantly different from
any services currently offered in Morris County. With the help of agency staff, each student
will identify and work towards their own unique goals and create systemic,
meaningful and lasting change for their young family.”
Eligibility for the Bridges to Employing Youth program will be based on
age, pregnancy or parenting status, and education level. Academic services will be provided to those
seeking their high school diploma as well as those who have already achieved a
diploma but need basic skills remediation.
Young adults who do not need educational services will focus on employability
skills and workplace experience.
Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit
community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income
families residing in northwestern New Jersey.
The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic,
respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen
parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to improve their lives
and the lives of their children while achieving personal and economic self-sufficiency
and family stability. Project
Self-Sufficiency serves more than 3,500 families annually.
The Bridges
to Employing Youth Program is funded by the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce
Development. Those who are interested
in learning more about the Bridges to Employing Youth initiative at Project
Self-Sufficiency are encouraged to register online
at www.projectselfsufficiency.org
or call 973-940-3500 or 844-805-3500.
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