County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ- The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs will conduct a free history grant writing workshop on Wednesday, April 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum, located at 165 Hobart Avenue in Summit. All Union County based nonprofit organizations and other civic organizations are invited to attend.

Attendees will learn how to apply for two types of history grants through the FY 2020 Union County History Re-grant Program, funded by the New Jersey Historical Commission. The grant application forms will also be available.

“Whether you are an experienced grant writer or a beginner, the workshop will provide the fundamentals of grant writing and help you focus on strategies for success,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

Each of the two grant programs includes general standards for eligibility as well as specific requirements:

1. General Operating Support (GOS) grants provide assistance for the basic costs of operation such as programming, preservation of collections, salaries, marketing, and more. Funding is available to Union County based historical societies, house museums or historic sites only. The maximum GOS grant request is $5,000.
2. Special Project (SP) grants supports history organizations, museums, schools, libraries and similar organizations with collections or programming relating to Union County and New Jersey state history. The maximum grant request is $3,500.

To confirm attendance at the April 17th workshop and to receive more information, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at (908) 436-2912 or e-mail jprescott@ucnj.org.

 

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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, NJ – Union County residents and visitors are invited to attend a free screening of the documentary Home is a Human Right: 6 Stories of Immigration on Tuesday April 23 at 7:00 p.m., at the North Avenue Academic Building of Kean University, 1075 Morris Avenue in Union Township. The free event is presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Office of Community Engagement and Diversity in partnership with the YWCA of Union County through its Stand Against Racism campaign (https://standagainstracism.org/).

Agencies that offer services in support of undocumented refugees and immigrants will also be on-site before and after the screening to offer resources and guidance.

“Home is a Human Right focuses a sharp lens on the threats that refugees and immigrants face in their home countries and here in the U.S.,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “It also provides informed, effective guidance for people who want to take action in support of human rights and protection for undocumented neighbors in our community.”

Home is a Human Right is seeks to highlight the human story of immigrants pursuing better lives in the middle of conflict by exploring the growing complexities of immigration in the United States. The series touches upon topics like DACA, refugees, sanctuary cities, medical care for undocumented immigrants and the plight of immigrant students. Details on the 6 short films can be found at https://www.bravenewfilms.org/home_is_human.

Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in America. The screening of Home is a Human Right supports the 2019 Stand Against Racism campaign theme, “Immigrant Justice: No Hate. No Fear.”

The movie screening will be followed by two speakers and a discussion. The featured speakers are:

• Victor Salama – Executive Director of First Friends of NJ & NY
• Sara Cullinane, Esq. – State Director of Make the Road NJ

The event is co-sponsored by Community Access Unlimited, Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council, Family Promise Union County, The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, and St. Joseph Social Service Center

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Nathalie Hernandez, Coordinator, Union County Office of Community Engagement & Diversity by email at nahernandez@ucnj.org or by phone at 908-527-4880.

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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.Stand Against Racism 2019 Flyer

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce Union County PRIDE 2019, scheduled for Saturday, June 15, 2019 from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. at Rahway River Park in Rahway. Admission is free to this inclusive and affirming celebration of family, equality, diversity and empowering acceptance.

All are welcome to pack a picnic, a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to the park for an afternoon of fun.

“Union County PRIDE brings families in the diverse LGBTQ community together with all families who value inclusion and acceptance,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “This annual celebration is our signature event for demonstrating that our community is one of equal rights and respect for all families.”

Union County PRIDE 2019 will include a full schedule of entertainment and activities including PRIDE-themed arts and crafts, family lawn games, inflatable bounce houses, playground fun, and many other family activities.

An Equality Rally featuring New Jersey’s own Drag Queen Harmonica Sunbeam as emcee will kick off at 2:30 p.m. with special guest speakers and performances.

Throughout the event, LGBTQ advocacy and ally organizations will be on site with information and educational materials, as well as support and networking resources.

“Pride events make a difference,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “In addition to celebrating diversity, they raise awareness of existing inequalities and provide a platform to support legislation and civic action. I am very proud of my colleagues on the Freeholder Board for inaugurating Union County’s first PRIDE event in 2017, and continuing to support it every year.”

Union County PRIDE 2019 is organized by Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Office of LGBTQ Affairs, under the Department of Economic Development, was established by the Freeholder Board in 2018 and is the first and only county government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey and offers a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.

 

For more information about Union County PRIDE 2019 visit ucnj.org/Pride, or find the Union County PRIDE 2019 event page at Facebook.com/CountyOfUnion, or call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.

 

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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, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds candidates for elected office to be aware of upcoming petition deadlines and filing procedures.

“For the June 4 primary, the Democratic and Republican candidates for countywide office — Freeholder and Surrogate — must file their petitions with my office by 4:00 p.m. on April 1,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Democratic and Republican candidates for municipal office, and candidates for the Democratic County Committee, must file their petitions with their municipal clerk. That deadline is also April 1 at 4:00 p.m.

Independent candidates for countywide and municipal offices must file their petitions with the Union County Clerk. The deadline for Independent petitions is 4:00 p.m. on Primary Day, June 4.

The County Clerk’s 2019 Election Date Guide that lists all candidate deadlines is available on the website unioncountyvotes.com and on the free UC Votes mobile app for iPhone and Androids.

For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

 

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Union County, NJ – A new hydroponic garden funded by Union County has been brightening up the winter months at the Richmond Terrace senior housing apartments in Plainfield. The new garden was funded through the Freeholder Board’s Union County Means Green community garden grant program.

“The hydroponic garden brings the residents of Richmond Tower together and engages them with indoor activities during a time of year when getting outside can be difficult,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “It is very gratifying to see the Union County Means Green grant program continue to produce fresh vegetables and contribute to the community throughout the year.”

The Freeholder Board launched the Union County Means Green grant program in 2016, to help more residents experience the benefits of growing fresh produce. In addition to improved nutrition, vegetable gardening provides opportunities for social activities, recreation, education and community service.

Union County Means Green provides funds for traditional soil-based gardens, including waist-high beds that accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. The grant program also covers hydroponic gardens and other innovative approaches to urban gardening.

Members of the Richmond Towers Garden Club tend the hydroponic garden. They will harvest the new crop of Tuscan kale and Butterhead lettuce, and distribute it to other residents.

During the outdoor growing season, the Garden Club also donates vegetables from several raised bed garden plots on the grounds of the housing complex.

Any Union County municipality or local nonprofit organization is welcome to apply for a UC Means Green grant. Applications are still open for the 2019 Union County Means Green grant cycle. The deadline is Tuesday, April 2 at 5:00 p.m.

For more details and a downloadable application form, visit Union County at ucnj.org/ garden-grants.

Union County Means Green is administered on behalf of the Freeholder Board by the nonprofit organization Groundwork Elizabeth. For more information contact Groundwork at 908-289-0262 or info@groundworkelizabeth.org.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

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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, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to invite all residents of Union County, age 60 or older, to register for the Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit. Qualifying works of art will be on display at the Atrium of Liberty Hall Center at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union from May 28 to July 8, and the artists will be guests at a special awards reception at the Atrium in June.

The deadline to register is Wednesday, May 15.

“Each year the Senior Art Exhibit provides older residents with an opportunity to share their view of the world through the work of their hands,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “We are proud to support this program, which helps to connect the different generations in our community and build an appreciation for the skills and insights of senior artists.”

The Senior Art Exhibit is an annual program presented and coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. Artists at any level of skill or experience are invited to register, including amateurs, non-professionals and working professionals. To qualify, the artwork must have been created within the past three years and must be an original creation of the artist.

Registrants can submit art in a variety of categories: acrylic painting, oil painting, watercolor, pastel, works on paper (drawing), photography, digital art (excluding digital photography), mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, and craft.

All artworks entered will be judged by a panel of professional artists. In each art category, separate awards will be given to professionals and non-professionals. First-place winners in all categories will go on to compete in September at the state level in the New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show in East Windsor.

For complete information and online registration, visit the Union County website at ucnj.org/senior-art-show.

To receive a brochure with complete instructions and a registration form by mail or email, call Martha Sturm, Senior Arts Coordinator, at the Union County Office of Cultural and HeritagFe Affairs, 908-558-2552, or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org. Relay users dial 711.

Completed applications may be mailed to Senior Art Exhibit, Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202, faxed to 908-558-2652, or scanned and emailed to msturm@ucnj.org.

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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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Photo caption: Precious by senior artist Florence McGlohn of Roselle was awarded Best of Show by a Non-Professional at the 2018 Union County Senior Art Exhibit.