Project 200 event showcases success

Portrait of Hope gallery will be unveiled Newton — Project Self-Sufficiency will kick off its annual campaign by hosting Project 200 on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the agency’s Community Education Center in Newton. Patrons are invited to attend the event or to make a contribution towards the annual campaign, which focuses on the services offered to children by the agency. The evening will feature a variety of guest speakers who have turned their lives around with the help of Project Self-Sufficiency. The agency will also unveil its Portrait of Hope gallery, a collection of huge photographs depicting 31 clients whose lives were positively impacted by their participation at Project Self-Sufficiency. The series, which is intended to inspire future agency clients, was photographed at different locations throughout the agency campus by local photographer Rob Yaskovic. The collection was printed and mounted by Mark Maruska and Chris Marston of Gravity DesignWorks in Newton. Financial support for the project was provided by a grant from the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council. This year’s event will be catered by Mel Condit of Condit’s Catering. Speakers will tell inspirational stories Shanna Coursen, Leslie D’Agati, Adda Pacheco and Cheryl Strumulo will be featured speakers at Project 200. Teenage mother Coursen enrolled in the Even Start Family Literacy program for help in obtaining her GED. She has also participated in the Young Family Services support group at the agency, and is looking forward to starting college in the spring. Regarding the transition she has made from high school dropout to college student, Coursen advises, “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” A mother of three children, D’Agati turned to Project Self-Sufficiency’s Higher Opportunities for Women program to brush up her computer skills after staying home with her children for 17 years. She is now a psychology major at Caldwell College and a part-time librarian’s assistant at Sussex County Community College. Pacheco, recently turned to Project Self-Sufficiency for assistance with a variety of issues, and has been delighted with the positive impact on her self-confidence, both professionally and personally. “All of who I am is because of Project Self-Sufficiency,” said Pacheco. “I am a stronger person, I have a better relationship with my family, and I believe in myself.” Education was an important goal for Strumolo, who walked into Project Self-Sufficiency as a recovering heroin addict and nine months later had not only obtained her GED, but had passed the college entrance exam, taken a computer course, and started her college career. To make a donation to Project 200, to inquire about attending the event, or to learn about any of the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.