County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – Union County residents with special needs are invited to unleash their inner artist by participating in “Paint by the Pond”. This interactive art project will be held on Sunday, August 15th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Warinanco Park.

“In past years, our ‘Paint by the Pond’ program has been a tremendous success,” said Union County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “The Board of Commissioners is proud to continue this program and offer our residents with special needs a chance to explore their artistic sides while enjoying our parks.”

“Paint by the Pond” is hosted by the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs and welcomes residents with special needs of all ages. During the event, participating artists will paint miniature cardboard houses. The finished houses will be floated on the pond once completed, though participants will be able to take their creations home with them.

“Paint by the Pond is terrific initiative and we are happy to continue to offer this event to our residents with special needs,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council. “We strive to ensure that Union County continues to provide accessible and inclusive activities for all residents to enjoy.”

This event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required. To pre-register, residents should visit ucnj.org/opdsn-reg.

For more information about the “Paint by the Pond” program, contact Jasmine Doughty-Whitous, Program Coordinator, at jwhitous@ucnj.org or call 908-527-4781.

OPDSN is a unit of the Division of Individual and Family Support Services, in the Union County Department of Human Services.  For more information on all programs and services of the Office, visit online at ucnj.org/dhs/opdsn.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County 4-H clubs are open to students interested in a wide variety of topics.

Union County, NJ – Union County 4-H Clubs are gearing up for a new season, and students in grades 1-12 are invited to join the fun. Youth in Union County who are within their first year after graduating from high school are also welcome to join a 4-H club.

The list of clubs this year includes anime, archery, cooking, disc golf, engineering, gardening, LEGO robotics, living history, nature exploration, civic service, and sewing. Students can also join clubs that encourage exploration in multiple areas.

“The 4-H program provides unique hands-on learning and leadership experiences. It also encourages young people to become experts on topics that interest them, and to share their knowledge with others,” said Board of County Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Board of Commissioners is very proud to support the 4-H program in Union County.”

The national 4-H program is the largest youth development program in the country. It began as a way to encourage young people in rural communities to learn about innovative new farming practices. The focus on innovation and leadership continues to the present day, through age-appropriate topics and activities…

Today’s 4-H program offer a long list of contemporary topics of interest to urban and suburban areas, too. The focus is on engaging students in foundational skills including teamwork, organization and public speaking, while building knowledge and experience in their chosen areas.

The club members meet with an adult leader each month during the school year, to plan activities and programs.

For the 2021-2022 school year, the clubs are organized by age as follows:

• Anime Club, grades 4 and up
• Archery Club, grades 4 and up
• Cooking Club, grades 4 and up
• Disc Golf Club, grades 5 and up
• Engineering Club, grades 4 – 5
• Gardening Club, grades 4 and up
• LEGO Robotics Club (with LEGO Robotics MindStorms kits), grades 4 -5
• Living History Club, grades 4 and up
• Nature Club, grades 5 – 9
• 4-H Service Club, grades 8 – 12
• Sewing Club, grades 6 and up
• 1^st and 2^nd Grade 4-H Club (activities exploring different skills and hobbies), grades 1-2
• Variety Club (different topics focusing on the environment), grades 3 – 4
• Variety Club (different topics with crafts and cooking), grades 9 – 12

To sign up for a 4-H club and to get more information about the program, contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz by email at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

The national 4-H youth development program is part of the Extension system under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Union County, 4-H is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County as part of the Rutgers New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station. It is supported in part by the Union County Board of County Commissioners, with offices at the Union County Complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

For more information about all Union County Extension programs, including 4-H, Master Tree Stewards, and Master Gardeners, visit ucnj.org/rce. More information about 4-H in New Jersey is available at nj4h.rutgers.edu.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The boil water alert previously issued by American Water has been lifted.

More details: https://www.amwater.com/alerts/extended/mandatory-boil-water-advisory-issued-for-9-towns-in-middlesex-somerset-and-union-counties

Free COVID-19 shots for County residents to be offered in Elizabeth on August 5, 13 and 14

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners informs residents of additional pop-up clinics offering free COVID-19 vaccines in Elizabeth. The Mobile Vaccination Unit will be on hand at three locations on August 5, 13 and 14.

The upcoming mobile clinics are as follows:

• Thursday, August 5 in Elizabeth at Ministerio Presencia del Rey, 1148 East Jersey Street, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Johnson & Johnson/Pfizer vaccines), in partnership with United Way
• Friday, August 13 in Elizabeth at Make the Road NJ, 42 Broad Street, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Johnson & Johnson/Pfizer vaccines; COVID-19 Saliva Tests will also be available), in partnership with United Way
• Saturday, August 14 in Elizabeth at Church without Walls event at Steele Memorial Church, 504 Court Street, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Johnson & Johnson/Pfizer vaccines; COVID-19 Saliva Tests will also be available)

“Health care systems and other businesses are asking their employees to get vaccinated, and with increasing concern over the spread of the Delta variant we are working to provide as many opportunities as possible to get vaccinated,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “As we see from the rising new wave of infections, vaccination is the only effective way to protect against this deadly virus.”

All unvaccinated residents are strongly urged to get their jab as soon as possible as new strains of the virus emerge and spread.

“The Board of County Commissioners is working to provide our residents convenient options and opportunities to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Commissioner and Chair of the Public Safety Committee Sergio Granados. “Vaccination reduces the risk of severe infection as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging variants. We ask that residents who have not yet been vaccinated do their part by visiting our mobile vaccination clinics.”

In addition to these pop-up clinic events, the Mobile Vaccination Unit is scheduled to be at locations throughout the county and residents should look out for the mobile vaccination team when attending.

Any Union County resident can make an appointment at any of the scheduled pop-up clinics, regardless of their home town.

Appointments at the pop-up clinics can be booked online by creating an account at ucnj.org/vax. Please note that COVID-19 saliva tests will also be available at all pop-up vaccination clinics.

Residents can also get vaccinated for free at any of Union County’s four permanent vaccine clinics in Elizabeth, Plainfield, and Union Township. COVID-19 vaccines are available by appointment at Union County’s COVID-19 permanent vaccination sites: Dunn Sports Center in Elizabeth (currently offering the Pfizer vaccine), Kean University in Union Township (Moderna), and Plainfield High School in Plainfield (Pfizer). COVID-19 Vaccines are also available weekdays on a walk-in basis at the Union County Immunization Clinic located at 40 Parker Road in Elizabeth.

To schedule an appointment at Dunn Sports Center, Kean University or Plainfield High School, create an account online at ucnj.org/vax, or call 908-613-7829 (7VAX) if additional assistance is needed. Residents looking to visit the Immunization Clinic for a free COVID-19 vaccine can walk in Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Union County residents who are home-bound or have difficulty leaving the home can arrange for a home vaccination visit by contacting Union County’s service provider, Mobile Medical Services. Call 1-833-256-2478 during regular weekday business hours to speak with an operator, leave a voice message after hours to receive a callback, or email a callback request to vaccine@mmst.io. Messages are returned on the following business day.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Tenants can apply for assistance starting Aug 2; landlords must also register.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners informs residents that the Tenant Portal for the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) opened for registration today, August 2. The ERAP will provide financial relief for Union County residents unable to meet their rental obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program, eligible tenants can receive up to 12 months of assistance for unpaid back rent and utility bills.

Both landlords and tenants are required to register for this program in order to expedite the grant process. The application portal for tenants opened today, and tenants can register at ucnj.org/rental-assistance. The registration portal for landlords opened on Monday, July 26, and can be accessed by visiting: ucnj.org/rental-assistance.

The funds will be awarded to landlords and utility providers on behalf of tenants who are eligible for the grant.

“With the Tenant Portal opening today, we encourage renters within Union County experiencing difficulty paying their rent and utilities to register for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program as soon as possible” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Communication between landlords and tenants regarding ERAP relief is key to ensuring applications can be reviewed without delay.”

The landlord and the tenant portals will both remain open throughout the application phase of the program. The portals include guidance on assembling the information and documents necessary to apply for funding.

To qualify for Union County Emergency Rental Assistance funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Union County resident primarily responsible for paying rent;
• Make less than 80% of the average median income of Union County (e.g., less than $78,500 for a family of four);
• Experienced a loss of income since March 13, 2020 related to the Covid-19 pandemic;
• Provide required supporting documentation (copies of identification, tax returns, lease or other proof of income/residence may be acceptable, etc.).

Once the application is submitted, applicants will be notified of the funding decision. If approved, the funds will be provided to the landlord or utility provider on their behalf.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is funded through the Federal CARES Act for COVID-19 emergency relief. Additional CARES Act programs created by the Commissioner Board include child care assistance for low-income families and respite assistance for those caring for children with special needs and disabilities, and as well as grants for libraries, schools, restaurants and other small businesses, and non-profit organizations.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.