Project Self-Sufficiency to host free virtual workshops on childhood trauma and resilience
NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — Project Self-Sufficiency will host a series of free virtual workshops in July and August to raise awareness about adverse childhood experiences, educate the public on the long-term impact of trauma, and provide strategies for prevention, resilience, and healing.
The initiative includes three sessions designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and community members. The first, titled “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities,” will be offered Wednesday, July 23 at 2 p.m. and will examine how childhood adversity impacts neurological and biological development and its effects on population-wide health outcomes.
Two additional sessions from the “Connections Matter” discussion series will be held the following month. The English-language workshop will take place Tuesday, August 19 at 2 p.m., and a Spanish-language version will follow on Wednesday, August 20 at 2 p.m. The series aims to facilitate dialogue on childhood trauma and explore how building supportive relationships can buffer the negative effects of early adversity.
All sessions are open to the public at no cost. Interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to receive login credentials.
“Protection, prevention, and resilience promotion can profoundly improve health according to recent discoveries in neuroscience, epigenetics, and epidemiology,” said Deborah Berry-Toon, executive director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “Our goal is to help make our community a place in which every child can thrive.”
Funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey, the workshops are designed to educate providers and families about adverse childhood experiences, commonly referred to as ACEs, which fall into three main categories: abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction.
Speakers will explain how these early traumas can increase the likelihood of risk behaviors such as substance use, absenteeism, and inactivity — often contributing to chronic physical and mental health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, and suicidal ideation. Research estimates that approximately 67% of the population has experienced at least one adverse childhood experience.
The Connections Matter curriculum emphasizes the importance of caring relationships in building resiliency and supporting lifelong health and well-being. The training is suitable for both parents and professionals working with school-aged children.
Project Self-Sufficiency’s workshop series seeks to unite professionals, educators, and families in promoting safer, more nurturing environments for youth while providing actionable tools for community-wide healing and support.
