NEWTON, September 3, 2010 — Commissioner Harold J. Wirths continued to examine New Jersey’s workforce development system and to see, first-hand how people are being served. Recently, Commissioner Wirths toured Project Self-Sufficiency in Sussex County to get a close-up view of the campus and programs. These include a family literacy and education center, a job-training and employment center, and a child care facility. Project Self-Sufficiency is a community-based non-profit organization which provides training and support services to low-income families strives to help workers improve their skills and marketability and to become economically self-sufficient.

Wirths was joined by Richard E. Constable III, deputy commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, and Gary Altman, Director of Workforce Development, on a tour of the 35,000 square-foot facility led by Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.

“I am glad that I had an opportunity to meet the people here and to learn about the challenges many women and families face each day in our state. With assistance from organizations like Project Self-Sufficiency and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, I am confident that we can give people the support they need to get employed, earn a paycheck and support their families,” said Wirths.

Over the past 24 years, Project Self-Sufficiency has worked with 18,000 families. More than 8,000 people have received job training and 6,000 have moved to unsubsidized employment.

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development has partnered with the organization to offer welfare reform services and summer youth programs.

For more information about Project Self-Sufficiency and its programs call: (973) 940-3500.

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