The Honorable Lorraine Parker Joins Project Self-Sufficiency Board of Directors

Project Self-Sufficiency proudly announces that Lorraine C. Parker, J.A.D. (Retired) has joined the agency’s Board of Directors. Parker is a retired jurist from Sussex County, who is active in the community and who is looking forward to assisting Project Self-Sufficiency as it celebrates thirty years of service to local families. Project Self-Sufficiency is a local non-profit organization which helps low-income families in northwestern New Jersey to attain economic self-sufficiency and family stability.

“We are delighted to welcome Lorraine Parker to the Board of Directors at Project Self-Sufficiency,” commented Beverly Gordon, President of the Board of Directors. “Her enthusiasm and commitment to the families we serve will help to guide the agency through its 30th anniversary year and into the future.”

Parker has been involved with Project Self-Sufficiency since 1992, when she helped develop the agency’s pro se legal assistance program which pairs legal professionals with those who need assistance with completing paperwork for family court matters. “Over the years, I have been involved in a number of events and attended many Project Self-Sufficiency functions,” comments Parker. “I never cease to be amazed at the work this agency does and the people it reaches every day in so many ways, always with the goal of enabling and empowering people to be self-sufficient. My goal is to support the agency in whatever way I can to continue its mission and broaden its reach.”

Parker also serves on the Board of Trustees at Sussex County Community College, and she is intrigued by finding ways to help both organizations. “In many ways, the college and Project Self-Sufficiency serve similar constituencies and have the similar goal of helping people to better their lives. Indeed, the college and Project Self-Sufficiency are partnering in the Campus-to-Campus program, giving agency clients the opportunity to go to college, a goal many saw as unreachable.”

Parker started her career as an educator, working with special needs children in the New York City school system, and earning a Master’s degree in Special Education. After relocating to Sparta with her husband and two children, Parker became involved with the local board of education and became increasingly interested in the legal aspects of the school system. In 1977, with the support of her husband and children, Parker enrolled in law school. By 1980, Parker was employed by at a Wall Street law firm. After enduring a 13-hour commute during a horrendous snowstorm in February, 1984, Parker decided that she needed to start practicing law closer to home. In January, 1992, Parker was appointed to the Superior Court in Sussex County. She was appointed to the Appellate Court in 2001 and served in Morristown until her retirement. She is looking forward to serving on the Project Self-Sufficiency Board of Directors. “I have admired the work of Project Self-Sufficiency, Deborah Berry-Toon and her staff for many years. I feel privileged to serve on the Board and hope that I can make a contribution to the next 30 years of the agency.”

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. Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 20,500 families, including over 30,000 children. For information about the programs and services at Project Self-Sufficiency, or to volunteer your time to help families in need, call 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.