Project Self-Sufficiency celebrates

Successful men and women are recognized at event Newton — The eighth annual Celebration of Literacy & Self-Sufficiency was held at Project Self-Sufficiency recently 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 achieving a GED at Project Self-Sufficiency to obtaining a master’s degree. Participants were honored by two keynote speakers, Selective Insurance Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Gregory Murphy, and Freeholder Rich Zeoli. The group also received accolades from Senator Steve Oroho, Assemblyman Gary R. Chiusano, Newton Deputy Mayor Kristen S. Becker, Councilwoman Helen R. Le Frois, and Newton Town Manager Thomas S. Russo, Jr. The event was catered by Krave Café and Caterers. The men and women who were acknowledged at the event included college graduates, medical assistants, nursing students, and graduates of business colleges. Several participants had obtained their GED through Project Self-Sufficiency’s Even Start Parents as Partners Family Literacy Program. Still others were graduates of the 16-week Higher Opportunities for Women program, a structured curriculum which provides computer training, job skills training and internships at area businesses. Freeholder Richard Zeoli congratulated the attendees, saying, “A well-trained, well-educated workforce is an asset to the county. It is an honor to be here to recognize the remarkable achievements of these men and women, many of whom are struggling with overwhelming obstacles. We wish them continued success in their endeavors.” Three award recipients also gave speeches at the event, including Renee Galante, who recently received a master’s in art education; Wendy White, who successfully completed the Higher Opportunities for Women at Project Self-Sufficiency; and Kelly DeGraw, who obtained her GED as a result of her participation in the agency’s Even Start Family Literacy Program. Both Amanda Hayes and Cristi Antonoglou read poetry that had been composed during their work with the Even Start program. Individuals received recognition Additional individuals receiving recognition included Traci Adams, Tamara Ahuatzi, Deborah Allison, Renate Babcock, Roslyn Baglia, Liliana Baranco, Suzann Becker, Lisa Beffert, Delores Benardi, Lori Bentley, Debbie Berk, Kleber Betancourth, Gina Bitinaitiene, Heather Bone, Carol Bonito, Cathy Bosma, Sharon Brosnan, Barbara Ann Byron, Grace Caiazzo, Kath Cameron, Jeannette Carcich, Jessica Carroll, Cheryl Caruso, Charlene Castello, Margaret Collins, Belinda Colville-Brown, Linda Cowie, Virginia Crawn, Victoria Cruz, Virginia Cruz, Aimee Davis, Lita De La Torre, Alexis Deluccia, Jessica Denison, Dawn Deputy, Marissa Dontas, Kely Dzirko, Sarah Emlet, Mati Falconetti, Lorraine Fanelli, Jennifer Fehr, Beth Feliceangeli, Shantay Fetterman, Sally Figueroa, Amy Finegan, Lisa Flatt, Janiel Ford, Vanessa Franciose, Renee Fusco, Yahaira Garcia, Lorraine Georginis, Antoinette Gerrity, Laura Giacomantonio, Rosemarie Goetsch, Bianca Gomes, Angela Gonnelli, Cathleen Gonzales, Margaret Goodrich, Terri Goriscak, Erin Graff, Nicole Gundersen, Lisa Harby, Jacqueline Hawly-Sugar, Melissa Henderson, Amy Henry, Pat Hermann, Laurie Hiler, Elsa Hincapie, Christine Howard, Annette Huff, Gwendolyn Hugee, Lisa Jamison, Cherice Jenkins, Michelle Johnson, Rachel Kalala, Dody Kays, Michelle Kerkoven, Susan Kimble, Patty Kippycash, Bonnie LaGanza, Elizabeth Lauterhahn, Molly Lee, Patti Lindholm, Joan Little, Kathy Little, Linda LoCascio, Carmen Lopez, Charles Lorber Jr., Kate Loughman, Merlita Lua, Nadine Lugo, Brandy Lumpkin, Jeanna Mabee, Cheryl Marchesani, James McColligan, Tiera McCullough, Gabrielle McDaniel, Amanda Mendez, Donna Messina, Sharon Meyer, Katherine Moreau, Jenna Moretti, Karen Mulder, Diana Mu-oz, Andrea Nestor, Diane Oksienik, Cynthia Oliva, Meghan Ollerenshaw, Adda Pacheco, Gloria Peera, Diane Perkins, Marcia Perrelli, Gail Platides, Barbara Preziosi, Neta Pringley, Kelly Purdon, Sheeja Puthezhath, Sylvia Rodgers, Consuela Rojas, Elizabeth Salgado, Dylan Scarpone, Wolfie Schinzel, Bonnie Sherba, Jenna Smilor, Tiffany Smith, Jenna Snyder-Genung, Josephine Spagnulo, Autumn Spear, Angela Spilliane, Jennifer Svenson, Lola Szekula, Marianna Szilagy, Merih Tanis, Heather Thibault, Laura Touw, Debbie Villon, Shauna Wallace, Laura Wilkinson, La’Teisha Wilson, Marcia Winbush, Dianne Wintermute, Victoria Wright, Jessica Wynn, Shirlee Zimmerer, Donna Zimmerman and Jane Zoon. For information about the programs and services offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.