Back-to-School Fair Helps Low-Income Families

More than 300 children and their families turned out for the 10^th annual Back-to-School Fair at Project Self-Sufficiency on Thursday.  Information sessions taught parents to protect themselves and their children from interpersonal violence, and introduced them to scouting programs in the area.  Meanwhile, children got free haircuts, played games and received back packs brimming with free school supplies.  Representatives from local social service organizations were on hand to discuss topics ranging from household safety to literacy.  Agency staff members and volunteers handed out school supplies, played games, organized crafts, and provided dinner and snacks.

“Project Self-Sufficiency is proud to offer the Back-to-School Fair to our participants again this year,” noted Claire Willetts, Program Coordinator at Project Self-Sufficiency.  “The helpful information and services available to families at this event prepare both children and their parents for a successful school year.  We are grateful to all of the social service agencies, businesses and volunteers who took time to lend a helping hand to local families in need.”

Participating social service organizations included the Caring Partners of Morris/Sussex Counties, the Division of Child Protection & Permanency, Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services, Family Support Organization, Foodshed Alliance, Ginnie's House, Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey, Literacy Volunteers of Sussex County, Newton Police, NORWESCAP, Parent  Interactions with Schools/Teachers, Samaritan Inn, Sussex County YMCA, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Children's Mobile Response/ Family Intervention Services, and others.

Stylists from several area salons volunteered their time to offer free haircuts to students including Essence Hair, Mancuso Salon, Salon Fig, and Total Image.

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 has served more than 19,500 families, including more than 30,000 children, since its inception in 1986.  Project Self-Sufficiency’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 achieve personal and economic self-sufficiency, family stability, and to improve their lives and the lives of their children.  The agency offers a supportive family-centered environment where life issues are addressed through a combination of individual counseling, peer support groups, case management services, parenting skills training, life skills management training, home visits, childcare and early childhood education, family activities and health education.  For information about any of the services provided at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.