Fair helps families protect kids from abuse

ANDOVER - Sussex County parents gathered at Hillside Park in Andover on a recent Tuesday evening for a Parent Fair sponsored by Project Self-Sufficiency. The event offered a variety of resources to help parents manage the challenges and stress of raising a family, including interactive presentations at “parenting stations,” as well as resource tables set up by local human service providers. The evening’s keynote speaker, Tracy Nunez of Prevent Child Abuse-N.J., offered practical tips on how to keep children safe from predators in today’s world. “Kids don’t come with instructions,” said Nunez. “All parents need information about normal child development.” On behalf of her organization, Nunez thanked Project Self Sufficiency for offering the fair as an important and needed service to families. Cheryl Brewer, a former Project Self Sufficiency client and current board member, agreed. “This is such a great resource,” said Brewer. “Sometimes it’s very hard to know where to go or how to ask for information. By attending the Parent Fair, a wealth of information about parenting is right here at their fingertips.” Many local organizations attended the event, setting up informative parenting stations on topics such as lead poisoning, stress management, making schoolwork and homework fun, family safety, positive discipline, anger management and fun, cost-free family activities. Presenters included representatives from the First Presbyterian Church of Sussex, the Sussex County Division of Youth and Family Services, Family Intervention Services, Project Self-Sufficiency, NORWESCAP and Ginnie’s House. Project Self-Sufficiency offers a wide range of free services to single parents, teen parents, displaced homemakers and low-income families in Sussex County. For information, call 973-383-5129.