News from Project Self-Sufficiency

  Project Self-Sufficiency will offer virtual parenting workshops for parents with children of all ages, Tuesdays April 11 th – May 30 th , 6:00 p.m.   Participants will learn how to build positive parenting skills, prevent behavioral problems, and encourage effective anger management.   The parenting classes offered by Project Self-Sufficiency follow the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program developed by the American Psychological Association which aims to educate parents and other adults who raise and care for young children about creating environments which protect them from violence.   C lasses are co-sponsored by the Journey Family Success Center and Project Sussex Kids , the Sussex County Council for Young Children.   The sessions are free and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 for log-in details.   “The ACT Raising Safe Kids curriculum is based on the premise that effective parenting is an important factor in preventing behavioral issu

  Project Self-Sufficiency is seeking volunteers to assist with planting, maintenance, and harvesting of fruits and vegetables from the community gardens at the agency’s Newton campus.   Volunteers would work alongside seasoned horticultural professionals on Monday – Thursday mornings, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.   No experience is required.   Project Self-Sufficiency’s Newton campus is home to numerous vegetable gardens which bear all kinds of crops for consumption by the agency’s low-income participants.   During the summer, hundreds of potted tomato plants also wreath the sidewalks throughout the 5-acre campus.   Produce is harvested daily and offered to agency participants at Project Self-Sufficiency.   Baskets are also provided for families to cart the bounty home and share with their children.   Participants are given tips on cooking and nutrition along with the food, and the children at the agency’s Little Sprouts Early Lear

  Project Self-Sufficiency will continue the workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, designed to facilitate the conversation about issues surrounding adverse childhood experiences, with virtual sessions in English, Thursday, April 6 th , 2:00 p.m. and in Spanish, Thursday, April 20 th , 2:00 p.m.   Interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 for log-in details.   Additional in-person workshops will be hosted by the Dennis Library in Newton; a session in English will be held Monday, April 24 th , 5:00 p.m., and a session in Spanish will be offered Wednesday, April 26 th , 5:00 p.m.   Pizza will be provided at the Dennis Library workshops.   The Dennis Library is located at 101 Main Street, Newton.   All workshops are free and open to the public.   P articipants will explore the Connections Matter curriculum, a program funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey designed to engage providers,