Branch Initiatives

Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council Art Exhibit
Each year in the Fall, the AAUW co-sponsors a Women’s art exhibit with the Arts and Heritage Council. Sussex County women artists submit their work for this exhibit which highlights the many talents of the women of our county. The art is offered for sale as well.  The culmination of this weeklong event is a reception on Saturday evening which includes refreshments and entertainment.

AAUW New Jersey hosts an annual STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) camp at Stockton University in July. This camp provides an opportunity for girls entering the eighth grade to be exposed to various STEM activities and to experience college dorm life. Sussex County AAUW interviews applicants from both Sussex and Warren Counties and submits them to the state for acceptance to this very important program. We have also supported Tech Trek financially and secured a very generous donation from Thor Labs for this program. The girls who attend do not pay for this camp. The girls who have attended speak before our members at our October meeting and the response from them has always been positive. The most enlightening comments that we hear consistently are: “It was “cool to meet girls from all over New Jersey” and “It was great to meet other girls who are also interested in STEM.” We are most proud of our county’s participation in this outreach program.

 

CTAUN (Committee on Teaching about the United Nations)
Sussex County AAUW attends CTAUN, held annually at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. This event has covered themes of the Status of Children around the world, Modern Slavery, Climate Change, The Status of Indigenous peoples, and other topics of importance today.

 

Support of CASA  (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children)
The CASA mission is to be a strong voice for the best interests of vulnerable children who have been removed from their homes or are under court supervision due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.  CASA recruits, trains, and supervises community volunteers to be advocates, mentors, and champions for each child on his or her journey to a safe, permanent, and nurturing home. The AAUW supports the CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties fundraising efforts by contributing to the annual CASA at the Zoo event at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange.

 

Sussex County Community CollegeThe 100 Women Project of The Sussex County Community College Foundation
The 100 Women Scholarship Project was established by AAUW member Judge Lorraine Parker to help women returning to college after their education was interrupted for any reason, such as caring for young children, caring for elderly parents, serving in the military, or dealing with financial demands or hardship. The program was designed so that 100 women/groups would donate $100. per year to create the fund for those much-needed scholarships. The program has grown so successful that now SCCC can award up to ten scholarships. In addition, the 100 Women Project hosts an event to celebrate Women’s History Month with a luncheon and speaker. Sussex County AAUW is an annual supporter of the 100 Women Project