Center running women's business program

NEWTON — Several women recently made significant strides along their path out of poverty by graduating from Project Self-Sufficiency’s Summer Office Skills program. The program combines intensive computer skills training with classroom instruction and off-site internships to prepare women who have been out of the work force or underemployed to seek entry-level office administrative positions.
The program’s autumn session, Higher Opportunities for Women, is set to launch on Oct. 9. Computer training and classroom instruction will take place at the agency’s campus, located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.
Women who take part in the agency’s HOW program can expect 80 hours of computer skills training, including instruction in Microsoft Word, Excel and other applications. The HOW program also includes 40 hours of classroom instruction and 120 hours at an unpaid externship at a community employment site, which further prepares participants to successfully venture into the job market. Coursework focuses on workplace navigation, life skills training, resume preparation, and interviewing strategies.
Over the years, Project Self Sufficiency has partnered with a variety of local businesses, non-profit organizations and government entities to provide HOW participants with externship opportunities. Participants gain real-life work experience while honing the computer skills they have received as part of the HOW training program. Since the HOW program’s inception, more than 1,000 women have gained self-confidence and learned marketable skills which placed them on the path to economic self-sufficiency.
Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency explains that the HOW program is more than just a job-skills program.
“The Higher Opportunities for Women program offers participants the opportunity to gain the skills and confidence to compete in today’s job market, and that in turn, helps put food on the table, pay the rent, and ultimately turn around the prospects for the entire family," Berry-Toon said. "Giving our participants the tools necessary to become economically self-sufficient makes families stable and helps the entire community.”
Project Self-Sufficiency’s Higher Opportunities for Women program launches on October 9th. To enroll, or to find out more information about the program, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 or 877-807-3500. Information about Project Self-Sufficiency is also available at www.projectselfsufficiency.org.