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Summer Arts Festival

Free Skin Cancer Screening & Information Session

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to participate in the 2022 “Choose Your Cover” program, which is a free statewide skin cancer screening, awareness and educational initiative taking place on Saturday, August 13th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool located in the Rahway River Park, St. George Avenue in Rahway.

“Everyone wants to be outside once the summer season hits, but residents need to take the proper precautions in order to prevent them from overexposure to the sun,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “Skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer and it is usually curable when detected and treated early, so it is so important to get checked and follow all of the ways to reduce your risk for sun damage.”

This free event is open to all, but a pre-screening survey is required to schedule a skin cancer screening. To promote sun safety and help reduce the risk of skin cancer, personnel from the Union County Office of Health Management, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Summit Health Cares will be on site for the August 13th event to provide free skin cancer screenings and help residents learn about the “Choose Your Cover” message. For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/07/15/play-it-safe-in-the-sun-union-county-offers-a-free-skin-cancer-screening-information-on-how-to-choose-your-cover/

Special Needs Night at Wheeler Spray Park in July, August

The Union County Board of Commissioners is pleased to invite children age 12 and under, accompanied by an adult, to attend the “Special Needs Night at Wheeler Spray Park” series. The series takes place every Wednesday evening during July and August from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The next session will take place on Wednesday, July 13.

The Special Needs Night at Wheeler Park series is organized through the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs in the Union County Department of Human Services.

“The Special Needs Night series is part of our inclusive recreation programming. It provides special needs families with an opportunity to enjoy one of the most popular features in the Union County parks system in a safe, welcoming environment,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

“We continue to strive for inclusivity throughout our County programming and we are proud to support the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs in presenting recreational programs that are accessible to all residents. We are excited to bring this wonderful event back this summer for our special needs families,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados.

The series takes place at Wheeler Spray Park, located at 234 West Stimpson Avenue in Linden, and continues each Wednesday through July and August.

The event is free but pre-registration is required online for each child through the Union County events registration page. Visit secure.rec1.com/NJ/union-county-nj/catalog and scroll to “Recreation Programs for People with Special Needs.”

For more information:  https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/07/11/special-needs-night-at-wheeler-spray-park-begins-in-july/

Volunteering in Union County Parks is Easier than Ever

Each year, hundreds of community volunteers fan out through Union County parks to clean up litter, clear debris, repair trails and improve natural habitats. Now volunteering is easier than ever before, thanks to free tools and other assistance provided by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Bureau of Recycling.

“We are very grateful for the many individuals, environmental groups, Scouts, schools, businesses and other organizations that dedicate their time and energy to help keep our parks beautiful and welcoming, year in and year out,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “By coordinating the resources of our Parks and Recycling offices, we aim to make organizing a volunteer project easy and hassle-free for everyone.”

The Union County parks system hosts four main types of volunteer programs:

Adopt-a-Park: Beautification and restoration projects including clearing litter and debris, restoring native plants and removing invasive plants.

Adopt-a-Trail/Trail Stewards: Help remove encroaching vegetation from trails and paved pathways; help repair eroded sections and clear debris from culverts.

Chainsaw Crew: Help remove fallen trees from trails and paths (training required to participate).

Clean Communities: This program focuses on litter cleanups with support from the statewide Clean Communities program. Organizers only need to bring themselves and their volunteers. Work gloves, litter grabbers and bags are all provided free of charge.

Individuals or groups that are interested in organizing a volunteer project in any of these four areas can contact the Department of Parks and Recreation by email at park.env.services@ucnj.org to start the process.

For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/07/14/volunteering-in-union-county-parks-is-easier-than-ever/

Union County: “Take the Challenge” With Plastic Free July

The Union County Board of County Commissioners and Union County Clean Communities would like to encourage residents to celebrate and participate in Plastic Free July!

“Finding ways to go plastic free is easier than you think and residents can certainly do a lot on a personal level to help save the environment,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “The information provided here are great examples of how you can make a big impact on the environment and reduce the amount of plastic waste you or your family use on a daily basis. I hope you will all join us in participating in this challenge.”

Plastic Free July is an annual, month-long event started by the Plastic Free Foundation in 2011, to work towards their vision of a world free of plastic waste.  Every year, individuals and groups take the challenge to reduce the amount of single-use plastic items they use and purchase throughout the month of July.

It is easy and free to participate – just go to www.plasticfreejuly.org and click on “Take the Challenge.” By taking the challenge, you pledge to make whichever changes you are able to make – whether starting small with a few easy swaps or overhauling your plastic consumption – to reduce the amount of plastic waste you are contributing to the waste stream.

For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/06/30/union-county-celebrates-plastic-free-july-by-asking-residents-to-take-the-challenge/

July dates for Senior Services, Just “ASK” information kiosk

2022 Queer Empowerment Hour Series

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce the 2022 OUT in Union County: Queer Empowerment Hour series with host Micayla Mirabella. The free virtual series, organized by the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, begins in April and runs through December 5, 2022. Each conversation will be held on the third Monday of each month (except December) and each hour-long session will begin at 7:00 pm. (update: please note, the series will begin in April).

“It has been four years since the Office of LGBTQ Affairs was created and the Union County Board of County Commissioners continue to remain an ally and advocate for our LGBTQ+ community,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “This office does a wonderful job at hosting a variety of programs and events which aim to educate, start a conversation on LGBTQ+ issues and introduce resources available to our residents. I would like to thank everyone that is involved in the coordination of these efforts.”

The OUT in Union County: Queer Empowerment Hour series explores LGBTQ+ specific topics and offer stories and discussions involving queer folks from different backgrounds and experiences, in an hour-long format that includes some of New Jersey’s most dedicated LGBTQ+ advocates, community leaders, and allies.

Registration is required to join the Zoom session or watch live on the County of Union, New Jersey Facebook page. The schedule and registration links can be found at ucnj.org/lgbtq

Become a Lifeguard

Union County residents who are looking for a summer job outdoors can apply now to become a lifeguard at Union County’s public swimming pool, the Walter Ulrich Memorial Pool at Rahway River Park, in Rahway.

Any Union County resident age 16 and up can apply for a lifeguard position at the Ulrich Pool.

Training is available for applicants who are not certified lifeguards.

For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/04/25/become-a-lifeguard-at-union-countys-ulrich-pool-in-rahway-river-park-this-summer/

Full Time Emergency Medical Technicians

Job benefits include free training opportunities and HazMat cross-training through the Union County Fire/EMS Academy.

Union County has full time job openings for certified Emergency Medical Technicians. The full-time benefits package includes free career development through the Union County Fire/EMS academy.

All applicants must be residents of Union County.

“We are very proud of our EMTs, who work to meet the daily needs and extraordinary demands for life saving services in our community. We are looking forward to meeting the newest members of our emergency services team,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “

For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/04/26/union-county-is-hiring-full-time-emergency-medical-technicians-apply-today/

“Jersey Fresh” Farmers’ Market Voucher Program for Seniors

Due to ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19, the Union County Board of County Commissioners is announcing that Farmers Market vouchers for eligible Union County seniors will be distributed only by mail. Each eligible senior can obtain five, $6-dollar vouchers for a total of $30.00 to purchase “Jersey Fresh” fruits, vegetables and herbs at Farmers Markets that display the black and yellow WIC (Women, Infants and Children) posters.

“Good nutrition is important and the County of Union is excited to offer a safe and convenient way for our seniors to increase their consumption of healthy foods through these vouchers,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “I encourage anyone interested, who meets the requirements, to register.”

To be eligible, seniors must be age 60 and older. A single person’s annual income cannot exceed $2,095 per month and a couple’s combined income may not exceed $2,823 per month.

For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/05/27/union-county-commissioners-announce-jersey-fresh-farmers-market-voucher-program-for-seniors

Union County Host Donation Drive for the people of Ukraine

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has uprooted families, injured citizens, and left thousands of Ukrainian refugees without access to basic necessities. To date, nearly 1.5 million Ukrainians have fled their homes, many leaving behind necessary supplies.

To support individuals in need, the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office have partnered to organize a county-wide donation drive for the people of Ukraine.

Beginning today, a donation box will be available in the lobby of Union County law enforcement agencies, twenty-four locations in all. Members of the public are invited to bring donations of first aid supplies, toiletries, flashlights, blankets, batteries, clothing, shoes, diapers, formula, and more. The program will run for the foreseeable future, as long as continued aid is needed. This donation drive is made possible through a partnership with law enforcement and local Polish and Ukrainian organizations.

For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/03/15/union-county-to-host-donation-drive-for-people-of-ukraine/

Cultural Events Around the County