2026 Blog Posts

Previously, veteran services in our state were part of the NJ Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMAVA). Starting in January 2026, the Department of Veteran Affairs officially separated from DMAVA, forming the NJ Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).  Its mission is to deliver exceptional services, support and advocacy for Garden State veterans, families, care givers and survivors.  DVA honors those who have served and the people who love them by delivering access to earned benefits, programs and resources. 

Sen. Joe Vitale, D-19^th District who was a prime bill sponsor which established this new standalone department stated, “New Jersey’s veterans deserve nothing less than a government fully committed to their well-being because of all that they sacrificed serving our nation. Veterans need to know their voices are being heard and their needs prioritized, (this separation) reflects that commitment by giving them a dedicated seat at the table and a department that works only for them.” 

We at Family Promise of Sussex County could not agree more.  Last year our agency served 46 local veteran households.  On July 18^th we will be holding our third annual Service Strong, veteran resources and job fair.  Please call our office if you are interested in participating.
Contact Vicki at vsadiwnyk@familypromisesussex.org or call 973-579-1180 ext. 1034

In 2025, Newton became one of 191 New Jersey towns with the distinction of being deemed Sustainable Jersey certified. The town was classified as bronze level in sustainability. So, what does this all mean? Well, there is a non-profit called Sustainable Jersey, who received their 501(c3) status in 2011. Sustainable Jersey’s mission is to: empower New Jersey communities to build a better world for future generations with the tools, training and financial incentives necessary to pursue critical sustainability initiatives.

So what makes a sustainable community? As their website states, “A sustainable community is one that can continue to provide what people need and value—now and for generations to come. That means caring for the natural environment that sustains us, supporting strong and resilient local economies, and making thoughtful choices about priorities, trade-offs, and impacts rather than allowing decisions to be shaped only by power or circumstance.”

Sustainable Jersey also defines three pillars of sustainability.

· Environment – protecting our natural resources, most of what we think of when we talk about sustainability

· Economy – allows for long term growth in a community / town

· Equity – equitable access to resources and everyone having a voice in the decision making

All of these pillars and actions result in a long term healthy community for many generations to come. Let’s all do our part in maintaining and growing Newton’s sustainability status as well as other communities we call home.

This year for our Casino Night fundraiser, being held on June 11th at The Conservatory at The Sussex County Fairgrounds (check out our Casino Night tab on our website for tickets), we were graciously donated a Traeger Ironwood Pellet Smoker Grill! It’s a 6 in 1 BBQ smoker grilling combo. You can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise and BBQ all in this one unit! We will be holding a raffle for the smoker/grill as well as a bag of pellets to get you started valued at $2,000 the night of Casino Night. At the event, participants will be able to purchase a ticket for $20 or 6 for $100.

This got me thinking about grilling and smoking. When you search the topic the first match is “Smokin & Grillin with AB”. Who is this you say? Well, Aaron “A.B.” Brown is a self-taught culinary creator and the face behind Smokin and Grillin with AB. He has one of the most influential food channels on YouTube, with over 3.6 million subscribers worldwide and 2+ million followers on Facebook with over 1 billion views! That’s a lot people interested in grilling and smoking and obviously the numbers don’t lie…AB is your guy!

So, come to Casino Night you’ll have a great time with professional casino tables and chance(s) to win many fabulous prizes and the opportunity to win our Traeger Smoker Grill Raffle! Just in time for peak “smokin and grillin” season here in Sussex County. Why do I have a sudden urge to grunt like Tim Allen did on Tool Time!

Check out the grill here: Amazon.com : Traeger Ironwood XL Wood Pellet Smoker Grill, 924 Sq In Cooking Area, WiFIRE Smart Temperature Control, Up to 500 Degrees, Super Smoke Mode, 6 in 1 Outdoor BBQ Electric Smoker and Grill : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Buy your 2026 Casino Night tickets here: Event Registration – Family Promise of Sussex County

Every year on April 22nd, people around the world celebrate Earth Day. The first one was held in 1970, which many say was the beginning of the environmental movement. The day serves as a reminder of everyone’s responsibility to protect our natural resources for future generations.

The theme for this year’s Earth Day is “Our Power, Our Planet”. What are some things we can incorporate into our everyday lives to help ourselves and our community? Please see a list below that I saw in the Sussex County Division of Health’s April Newsletter.

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle

2. Conserve water by fixing any leaks and using less when possible

3. Turn off lights and electronics when not in use

4. Use reusable bags, bottles and containers

5. Limit single-use plastics

6. Walk, bike or carpool instead of driving alone

7. Plant trees or support local green spaces

8. Buy local and sustainable products

9. Dispose of waste properly, including hazardous materials

10. Educate others about environmental health and sustainability

I remember a time when if a customer had a bad experience, the employee on the receiving end always acknowledged it and usually said, “I’m sorry.” That rarely happens anymore if at all. It’s not just me, “In a June 2023 study from Customer Contact Week Digital showed that 57% of customers surveyed thought that customer service had gotten worse in the last year, with a quarter of all respondents saying it had become much worse. A mere 4% thought customer service was much better.”

Some argue this declining trend is by design, as a way to cut costs and for those in a subscription type service an impossible way to cancel, thus increasing the bottom line for the businesses as well as the frustration for the consumers paying for their products and services!

I recently had a horrible experience trying to change my cell phone provider working with three large Fortune 500 companies. The first agent from company #1, when he heard I had an older model phone, asked me to confirm in disbelief and then laughed at me. Another one from company #2, asked if I needed directions to the Rockaway Mall?! Seriously, I just gave him a look which I actually felt coming across my face. I remember when the mall was built! Lastly and probably worst in this incident was another rep from company #3, said to me over the phone, “just shut up”. I replied shocked, “you just told me to shut up?” No response, followed by a hang up.

A little politeness, validation, goes a long way. It’s OK to say, “I’m sorry” and it’s not an acknowledgment of fault. It’s a way to show empathy, that you understand and for me at least goes a long way in how I ultimately feel about that business.

Our largest fundraiser of the year, Casino Night, Betting on a Better Future: All-In to End Homelessness, will be held June 11th at The Conservatory at The Sussex County Fairgrounds. Please visit our Casino Night tab on our website for more information and to buy tickets.

This got me thinking about the origin of casinos. The word casino comes from Italian with the root word casa meaning house. In 1638 Venice Italy the first known gambling house was called, Ridotto, meaning private room in Italian. During the 19th century the word casino was used to describe public buildings where fun activities occurred.

In the United States, initial gambling sites were known as saloons and in the early 20th century were outlawed until 1931 where gambling was legalized in Nevada. It was in 1976 when New Jersey allowed gambling in Atlantic City, making it the 2nd largest gaming city in the United States.

While our casino uses play money with an opportunity to win fabulous prizes, guests can still enjoy classic casino games on professional tables. Whether you are experienced or not, all are welcomed and encouraged to play. Hope to see you at our house in June!

You can purchase your tickets to our 2026 Casino Night here:
Event Registration – Family Promise of Sussex County

Yes, I know…but according to History.com, “In 1989, PepsiCo inked a deal with the Soviet Union to trade its cola syrup for Russian vodka—and a decommissioned fleet of rusting warships, including 17 attack submarines…the undersea arsenal briefly acquired by the soft drink conglomerate would have equaled India’s submersible fleet—at the time, the seventh largest in the world.” In addition to the subs, the deal also included 3 warships, a cruiser, frigate and a destroyer.

This leads me to why?! Well at the time of the Cold War, the Russians had acquired a taste for Pepsi since Coca-Cola as well as many other western companies did not want to enter the Russian market. In addition, the Russian’s currency, the ruble was not convertible to dollars. So, they had to barter to get many goods including the syrup for Pepsi! Some called it the “Pepski generation”!

Pepsi had no intentions of using the old fleet but quickly converted it to scrap metal to help fund new bottling plants. So, to be fair, then it really wasn’t a viable navy and according to History.com, “The Soviet Union’s creaky cast-offs weren’t exactly seaworthy. “In any real sense, the story is false,” wrote Paul Musgrave in Foreign Policy. “The Pepsi navy no more conferred military power than a rusting Model T could have been a Formula 1 contender.” Ouch. Cool story though…who knew?!

As one of Governor Murphy’s last acts he signed into law a bill sponsored by State Senators Scutari and Singleton that would allow NJ towns to increase already existing fees including building permits, licenses, etc. to create and fund a municipal homelessness trust fund.

The money collected would not only allow for a dedicated trust fund but also let municipalities adopt their own homeless housing plans. As stated in an article in Patch, the fund could support the following:

· The acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of permanent affordable housing

· Rental assistance vouchers, including tenant and project-based subsidies

· Support services to help residents obtain or maintain permanent housing

· Prevention services for individuals and families at risk of homelessness.

Senator Scutari declared, “Homelessness continues to increase across New Jersey, and local leaders need to be supported with the resources and ability to respond effectively. By giving municipalities the ability to invest directly in affordable housing, support services, and prevention programs, we can help families and individuals before they fall into crisis, and strengthen communities in the process.”

Let’s hope this new legislation and funding stream will enable us to better serve more people who are increasingly needing this kind of support.

Donor Advised Funds or DAFs are increasingly gaining in popularity for their tax benefits and flexibility in making charitable donations. So, what exactly is a DAF? It’s an investment fund, similar to what you may do to help pay for your child’s education (529 plan) or for your own future income needs (401K, 403B, etc.). In the case of a DAF, you are setting aside funds in an account that can grow tax free for the intent of charitable giving either now or in the future.

Some of the other tax benefits are the ability for an immediate tax deduction in the year you contribute and a reduction in any estate tax as the contribution would not be counted as part of the taxable estate. A DAF allows your investments to grow over time and for you to decide which organizations you would like to contribute to and when. Two of the more popular companies who can set up a DAF for you are: Fidelity Charitable and Charles Schwab now known as DAFgiving360.

So, if you are looking for an easy, cost effective way to maximize your dollars in helping out your favorite non-profits, consider opening a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). I, of course, am not an accountant or financial professional, so please first consult with a tax or financial advisor.

Every once in a while, you hear people talking about seeing a bobcat in the wild right here in Sussex County, NJ. You also hear about mountain lion sightings; however, according to New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, that is not the case. But back to bobcats which we do in fact have in this great state of ours.

Recently I read online about The Last Resort Wildlife Refuge in West Milford who took in a male bobcat kitten who was injured. That article led me to The New Jersey Conservation Foundation and the history of the bobcat in NJ. Bobcats are New Jersey’s only native wildcat and about twice the size of a housecat. Their markings range from spotted patterns to “tabby” stripes, and their distinctive bobbed tail has a black tip.

Back in the late 1970s, wildlife officials trapped bobcats in Maine and brought them back to New Jersey to help with the diminishing population. From 1978 to 1982, 24 bobcats were released in sections of Warren, Sussex and Morris counties north of Interstate 80. (who knew?)

Now it is estimated that our bobcat population has grown to between 200-400, but maybe higher close to 500. Nearly all bobcats are found in the northwestern section of the state.

Lucky for us, bobcats are quite shy and elusive and really do not want much to do with us. So, if you see one (they move fast) revel in their sheer beauty that mother nature always provides.