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Back-to-School Fair Helps Hundreds of Families

 


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 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 teen musician Sol Mars. 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 games, refreshments, school supplies, and children’s activities, the Back-to-School Fair featured seminars about early childhood development questionnaire and introduced parents to the services available at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Career Center.

 

Informational exhibits and interactive activities for parents and children were provided by Abilities of Northwest Jersey; Behavior Bee Solutions, LLC; Brain Alliance of New Jersey; Care Plus New Jersey Kinship Navigator Program; Caring Partners of Morris & Sussex; Center for Family Services; Center for Prevention & Counseling; Child Mind Institute; Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Burn Unit; Crossroads 4 Hope; DASI; DAWN Center for Independent Living; Family Promise of Sussex County; Ginnie's House Children's Advocacy Center; Mental Health Association, NJ4S; New Jersey Department of Health/Office of Minority & Multicultural Health; New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative; Newton Volunteer First Aid & Rescue Squad; NORWESCAP Child & Family Resource Services; Sussex County Special Child Health Services; Sussex County Community & Youth Services; Sussex County Library; Sussex County YMCA; Zufall Health Center; and others.

 

Patrons also learned about household safety and burn prevention from the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Burn Unit, 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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