Project Self-Sufficiency to host workshops on childhood trauma, prevention, and resilience

NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — Project Self-Sufficiency will host a series of free virtual workshops in November aimed at raising awareness about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), their long-term effects, and strategies for building resilience within families and communities.

The events will include Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m., and two sessions of Connections Matter — one in English on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m., and one in Spanish on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. All sessions are hosted via Zoom and are open to the public. Participants can call 973-940-3500 for log-in details.

The Understanding ACEs workshop will explore how childhood trauma affects neurological and physical development and its broader impact on community health. The Connections Matter workshops will focus on the power of caring relationships in helping individuals overcome trauma and build resilience.

The programs are funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey.

Speakers will discuss how ACEs—such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction—can contribute to behavioral and health issues later in life, including substance use, absenteeism, and chronic disease. Research indicates that approximately 67% of people have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience.

Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon said the goal is to help families and communities create environments where children can flourish.

“Our goal is to help make our community a place in which every child can thrive by providing education and training on adverse childhood experiences and assuring safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments,” Berry-Toon said. “Protection, prevention, and resilience promotion can profoundly improve health according to recent discoveries in neuroscience, epigenetics, and epidemiology. The tools identified in these workshops can positively impact public health, safety, and productivity, and reduce public and private costs now and for future generations.”

Project Self-Sufficiency’s workshops bring together parents, educators, and professionals committed to understanding and addressing the lifelong impacts of childhood trauma on health, development, and opportunity.