The Union County Freeholders’ Local Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) volunteers will be honored at the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner, Tuesday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. at the Galloping Hill Caterers, 325 Chestnut Street, Union, NJ.
“The Freeholders strongly support the Municipal Alliances’ LACADA citizen volunteers who work at the grass-roots level in their communities to prevent substance abuse and promote healthy lifestyles among children, teens, adults and families,” said Bette Jane Kowalski, Chair of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “These residents give their time, their skills, and their hearts to help those in need. They inspire us all to keep reaching out—and away from substance dependence—to build a healthy life.”
This year the Freeholders, through the County’s Department of Human Services, Division of Individual and Family Support Services, are proud to pay special tribute to the following 10 volunteers:
- Jaimie Wronski of Clark;
- Detective Nadia Jones of Cranford;
- Virginia Marinelli of Garwood;
- Lorraine Messiah of Hillside;
- Jamie Lugo of Kenilworth;
- Thomas A. Solsky of Linden;
- Tara Smith of New Providence;
- Ashley Davis of Plainfield;
- Malika DeJesus Quevedo of Roselle, and
- Jaimie DeDea of Westfield, the “Union County Municipal Alliance Volunteer of the Year.”
By state law members of the Municipal Alliance are appointed by the governing body (Board of Chosen Freeholders) from a variety of community stakeholders including representation from education, health, law enforcement, faith-based entities, business, civic groups, non-profit organizations, and government officials. Municipal Alliance members develop alcohol and drug addiction prevention and treatment plans to address local priorities. These plans are reviewed by the LACADA and the Freeholder Board. Funding comes from the state’s Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (GCADA) and the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Last year in Union County nearly 300 citizen volunteers from 19 municipalities participated in their Municipal Alliance alcohol and drug abuse education and prevention activities presented countywide, including presentations to parents through public school events such as Back-to-School nights. In 2019 Union County will receive $536,201 from the state for Municipal Alliance activities.
For more information about Union County’s substance abuse services, call the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Individual and Family Support Services, 908-527-4844. The link to the Alliance webpage is https://ucnj.org/departments/human-services/alliance-to-prevent-alcoholism-and-drug-abuse/.