Successful Men and Women Honored by Project Self-Sufficiency

The eleventh annual Celebration of Literacy was held recently at Project Self-Sufficiency to honor agency participants who had impressive academic achievements, as well as those who had completed significant steps towards economic self-sufficiency during the past year.  These accomplishments ranged from completing computer courses at Project Self-Sufficiency to obtaining Associate’s degrees. 

The men and women who were acknowledged at the event included community college graduates, medical assistants, nursing students, and students at business colleges.  Several participants are graduates of the sixteen-week Higher Opportunities for Women program, a structured curriculum which provides computer training, job skills training and internships at area businesses.  Many others have completed courses at the non-profit agency in QuickBooks, Fiber Optics, and Microsoft applications.

“The Celebration of Literacy is intended to honor those Project Self-Sufficiency participants who have successfully worked towards academic achievement or economic self-sufficiency during the past year,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We are very proud of the goals achieved by these men and women.  These milestones are vital steps on the path to economic self-sufficiency for these participants and for their families.”

Two agency participants were singled out for special recognition during the event.  Samantha Rocafuerte was chosen to receive the Ruth Ann Duffy Williams Scholarship, named in honor of the esteemed Sussex County educator who spent her career as a teacher and principal at the Branchville and Frankford Elementary Schools.  The scholarship is bestowed upon an individual who achieved his or her goals of continuing education during the previous academic year.  Project Self-Sufficiency participant Ashanti Mosley was selected to receive the Richard Illingworth Scholarship, in memory of the former Leadership Council member and Human Resources professional who devoted countless hours to assisting participants in the agency’s Career Center.  The scholarship is given to an agency participant who has completed their education and successfully moved into the workforce in the past year.

“Both Ashanti Mosley and Samantha Rocafuerte have demonstrated unparalleled commitment to accomplishing their goals of higher education and gainful employment,” commented Patrice Green, Career & Employment Center Coordinator at Project Self-Sufficiency.  “The sky is the limit for both of these young women.”

Beverly Gordon, President of Project Self-Sufficiency’s Board of Directors, commented, “Each step these men and women take brings them closer to their personal goal of financial self-sufficiency.  We are proud to have been able to help them to determine their career path, and more importantly, to give them the tools to start the process with a solid education in their chosen field.”

Project Self-Sufficiency is the only organization in the area whose mission is to provide the services necessary for single parents, teen parents, displaced homemakers and two-parent families to improve the quality of their lives, and those of their children, by attaining economic self-sufficiency and family stability.  Since 1986, over 19,500 low-income individuals and more than 30,000 children have participated in one or more of the programs offered by the organization.  Project Self-Sufficiency 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 the programs and services offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.