County of Union, New Jersey

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados and Angel G. Estrada joined Union County Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner, Elizabeth Councilwoman Patricia Perkins-Auguste, Simon Youth Academy Principal Syreeta McClain and Simon Youth Foundation President and CEO J. Michael Durnil in congratulating the first graduating class of the Simon Youth Academy at the Mills at the Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth. The Simon Youth Academy, the first in the state of New Jersey, provides at-risk youth an opportunity to earn a high school diploma. The academy is a partnership between the Simon Youth Foundation, the Freeholder Board and the Union County Vocational-Technical School District. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Angela Garretson, Sergio Granados and Angel G. Estrada present a resolution to Hillside High School Principal Christine Sidwa, Hillside Board of Education Vice President Kimberly Cook, Teacher Paul Skelton and Student Council President Mateus Ramos recognizing and congratulating Hillside High School and the students who volunteered their time to beautify and clean Liberty Avenue Park in Hillside on June 12, 2019 (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski and Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella congratulated 14 new firefighters from the Fall 2018 Class on graduating the Union County Fire Training Academy during a ceremony at Union County College in Cranford. They also congratulated Geoffrey Semler of the Cranford Fire Department on earning the Battalion Chief Ken Nocera Memorial Award for Outstanding Excellence in Firefighter 1, Kristian Jacoby of the Garwood Fire Department on earning the Chief Anthony Schepis Award for Excellence in Firefighter 1, and Willie Massenburg from the Kenilworth Fire Department on receiving the Ben Laganga Leadership Award. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Rebecca Williams and Angel G. Estrada joined former state Senator Raymond Lesniak and Union County Vocational-Technical Schools Board of Education President Jean Perkins in congratulating Freeholder Christopher Hudak on being awarded the Pamela Capaci Hero for Recovery Award during a ceremony for students graduating Raymond J. Lesniak Experience, Strength & Hope Recovery High School in Scotch Plains. Pamela Capaci, formerly the CEO of Prevention Links who was instrumental in establishing the school, presented the award to Freeholder Hudak.

The Raymond J. Lesniak Experience, Strength & Hope Recovery High School is a unique public/private partnership between Prevention Links, one of the state’s leading non-profits focused on substance abuse prevention, and the Union County Vocational-Technical School District. For information about the school, visit eshrecoveryschool.org/. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – Young adults with special needs, ages 18-21, are welcome to attend a three-day sensory friendly nature retreat from July 1-3 at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation, Mountainside.

 “One outstanding feature of Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center is its sensory trail,” said Bette Jane Kowalski, Chair of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. ‘The Freeholder Board is proud that Union County provides this nature retreat as a wonderful opportunity to enjoy our natural surroundings.”

Campers will enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities designed for people with special needs. The sensory trail is the most extensive in the nation, designed to stimulate cognitive, physical and social needs through vision, touch, smell and sound.

Camp slots are limited.  To register, visit www.ucnj.org/opdsn-reg.  For questions and additional information, call (908) 527-4807 or 527-4781.

Union County’s Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs is part of the county’s Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Individual and Family Support Services. For information about all DHS services for individuals and families, visit www.ucnj.org/human-services.

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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 Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the annual Farmers’ Market voucher program for seniors will begin again this summer. Starting on June 27, income eligible adults age 60 and up can receive a total of $25 in free vouchers to purchase “Jersey Fresh” fruits, vegetables and herbs at several Farmers Markets throughout Union County. 

The total of $25 is provided in $5 increments, so that seniors can spread out their purchases to ensure freshness.

 “The Freeholder Board understands just how important it is that our senior residents on a budget have the resources to have access to fresh produce which is proven to have massive health benefits,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “This year Warinanco Park in Roselle has been added to the voucher distribution sites.”

Eligible Union County adults can apply for the vouchers by visiting any of the designated distribution sites scheduled during June and July on the list below, or by calling the Union County Department of Human Services, Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection toll free at 888-280-8226.

The vouchers may be used at any Farmers’ Market in Union County that displays the yellow and black WIC poster. As a convenience, farmers offering produce for sale will also be present at several of the voucher distribution sites.

A limited number of vouchers are available and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

To be eligible, a single person’s annual income cannot exceed $23,107 and a married couple’s combined income may not exceed $31,284. Proof of age, residency and income are required at the time of application.

A Medicaid card, SSI, SNAP, annual pension, or Social Security statement may serve as proof of eligibility. Proxies applying on another person’s behalf must present proof of eligibility for that person.

Any eligible Union County resident can apply for a voucher at any of the following distribution sites in June and July:

Thursday June 27
Liberty Square Senior Center
240 Elizabeth Ave., Elizabeth
Vouchers 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Monday July 1
Casano Community Center
314 Chestnut St., Roselle Park
Vouchers 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Monday July 8
Hillside Senior Center
265 Hollywood Ave., Hillside
Vouchers 9:00-11:00 am

Monday July 15
O’Donnell-Dempsey Senior Center
622 Salem Ave., Elizabeth
Vouchers 9:00 am to 11 am
Farmer will be at this site

Wednesday July 17
Warinanco Sports Center
(Located in Warinanco Park)
698 Thompson Ave., Roselle
Vouchers 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Farmer will be at this site

Monday July 22
Ann Ferguson Towers
1601 Dill Ave., Linden
Vouchers 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Farmer will be at this site

Wednesday July 24
Plainfield Senior Center
400 E. Front St., Plainfield
Vouchers 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Farmer will be at this site

Wednesday August 7
Golden Age Towers
200 E. Milton Ave., Rahway
Vouchers 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Farmer will be at this site

For more information about the Farmer Market nutrition program, or any services provided by the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability Resource (ADRC), call 1-888-280-8226 or 877-222-3737 or visit the county’s website, www.ucnj.org.

Union County residents seeking reliable information about services for adults age 60 and older can come to convenient locations throughout the County and speak in person with experienced staff from the Union County Aging and Disability Resource Connection, a division of the Department of Human Services.

The community visits are scheduled every month through Union County’s ASK (Aging Services Kiosk) program. In June, the ASK program will come to public libraries in Westfield, Plainfield, Clark, Garwood, Elizabeth and Union, and to the Rahway Senior Center.

“Our goal is to help senior residents access the resources they need to stay connected with their communities,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The ASK program helps seniors, their families, and their caregivers get expert guidance in person, in a comfortable setting close to home.”

Guidance offered through the ASK program includes home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and support services for caregivers.

Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

All Union County residents are welcome to attend any ASK event. Please note that due to a staff vacancy, bilingual assistance at the ASK events is temporarily unavailable. The dates and locations for June are:

Monday, June 3
Westfield Memorial Library
550 E. Broad Street
Westfield, 07090
10:00 – 12:00

Thursday, June 13
Rahway Senior Center
1306 Esterbrook Avenue
Rahway, 07065
10:00 – 12:00

Friday, June 14
Plainfield Public Library
800 Park Avenue
Plainfield, 07060
1:00 – 12:00

Monday, June 17
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, 07066
10:00 – 12:00

Thursday, June 20
Garwood Public Library
411 Third Avenue
Garwood, 07027
10:00 – 12:00

Tuesday, June 25
Union Public Library
1980 Morris Avenue
Union, 07083
11:30 – 1:30

Friday, June 28
Elizabeth Public Library – Elmora Branch
740 W. Grand Street
Elizabeth, 07202
10:00 – 12:00

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is modeled on a national initiative aimed at promoting wellness, independence, dignity and choice. In addition to ASK and other outreach events, printed information is available in English and Spanish.

For more information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, visit the Department of Human Services online at ucnj.org/departments/human-services or call 888-280-8226 (toll free), 908-527-4870, or 908-527-4858. Spanish speakers may call 908-527-4863.