County of Union, New Jersey

Press Release from the United Way

Partnership with Freeholders includes new summer employment program as part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’s “Moving Union County Forward” youth engagement initiative;  and widens involvement with nonprofit agencies, educational institutions and local businesses.

United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) has partnered with the Union County Freeholder Board to create 200 jobs for youth. 

Summer employment has already been established and secured in industries such as information technology, hospitality, construction, health sciences and retail.  “By providing these job opportunities and training, we are assisting our youth with the opportunity to gain experience in a job sector they may choose as a career while also receiving financial compensation in the future,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Freeholder Board is proud to be sponsoring this program through United Way and we look forward to continuing this in the future.” 

This program, known as the Youth Employment Pathways Program (YEPP) is designed to help youth secure employment, attend college and/or obtain occupational certifications. In the first part of the program sponsored by the Freeholder Board, the jobs initiative assisted 60 youths in the Spring to find employment. 

YEPP is funded by a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant, and to continue coordination of the Youth Employment and Training Consortium (YETC).

YEPP provides services year-round and is designed to ensure youth, both in school and out of school and, who are between the ages of 14-24, are provided with the resources they’ll need to meet career goals and on-the-job training experience. “We are happy to continue this initiative of bringing together all of our resources to strengthen our community and to help young people reach their goals” said James Horne, President and CEO at United Way of Greater Union County.  “Our work to help strengthen Union County includes youth employment services that help give young people real-world opportunities to learn and grow”.  The YEPP 

UWGUC works with nonprofit agencies, educational institutions and local businesses to ensure youth obtain and gain access to employment opportunities in Union County that will make them marketable in a competitive labor force. The program includes career planning, education and training and work experience.

Agencies located across Union County included in the YETC are: the Urban League of Union County, Community Access Unlimited, Plainfield Action Services, Homefirst, Inc., the Elizabeth and Plainfield School Districts, the Plainfield Library, Second Street Youth Center, the Arc of Union County, E’town Housing and Community Development Corp, Workforce Advantage and the Union County American Job Center. 

For more information about YEPP, please visit uwguc.org/yepp or call 908.353.7171.

About United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) United Way of Greater Union County provides critical resources to children and families in need throughout greater Union County, North Plainfield and South Plainfield.  The organization works to improve lives and build strong communities, by focusing on key areas in education, income stability, health and family strengthening. UWGUC is a pre-eminent community-based leader, partner and investment choice in these communities.  More information about United Way of Greater Union County’s work in the community can be found online at www.uwguc.org.

Union County residents seeking information about services for senior adults age 60 and older can visit the Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) program at four locations in August to speak with staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging.

The ASK schedule in August includes public libraries in Mountainside, Clark, Summit and Union.

“The ASK program brings our expert staff to local communities in order to provide seniors with greater accessibility to personal guidance in a location that is convenient and close to home,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “I encourage any seniors or caregivers who have questions about the resources available to them to make use of this important service.”

Through the ASK community outreach program, staff from the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection travel throughout Union County providing information about services such as 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.

The August 2018 dates and locations are:

Friday, August 10
Mountainside Public Library
Constitution Plaza
Mountainside, 07092
11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Monday, August 13
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, 07066
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Monday, August 27
Summit Public Library
75 Maple Street
Summit, 07901
10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Tuesday, August 28
Union Public Library
1980 Morris Avenue
Union, 07083
12:00 noon – 2:00 pm

The goal of the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource connection is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act. The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.

Dates and locations of upcoming ASK program stops are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, ucnj.org.

For more information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll free number: 1-888-280-8226, call 908-527-4870 or 908-527-4858, or visit online at ucnj.org.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series shifts to Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Wednesday, August 1, with Jobonanno & the Godsons taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. The Union County Office of Veterans Services will also be on hand with information for veterans as part of “Military Appreciation Night.” The free concert series is presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

“As the summer continues we are delighted to invite everyone to Oak Ridge Park and experience the continuation of this great entertainment series in our parks,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “And to show support for the men and women who serve in our country’s armed forces, the Office of Veterans Services will be on hand to help veterans and military families with who have questions about benefits and services.”

The Union County HEART program, which is part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’ Moving Forward Initiatives for 2018, will also kick off this night, and there will be an information table on hand.

Performing together since 1992, Jobonanno & the Godsons have been electrifying the tristate area’s rock clubs and concert halls with their infectious style of high energy rock and soul music.

Men and women who served in our armed forces will also be recognized throughout the evening. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders have designated the evening “Military Appreciation Night.” The Union County Office of Veterans Services will be on hand with information for veterans and military personnel in areas including eligibility to entitlement, benefits programs and services provided to veterans by various government agencies. A mobile Vet Center will also be on hand. Refreshments under will also be served to veterans under the Veterans Services tent.

While enjoying the wonderful music, refreshments may be purchased from Benito’s Jersey Curbside Eats or Danny’s Soft Serve Ice Cream.  Attendees can also pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the stars.

Once again UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a Union County Freeholder initiative will be part of the Wednesday night pre-concert schedule, with Hot Yoga Revolution presenting a free community class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.  Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in healthy activities for the entire family before the music begins.

Here is a list of the upcoming concerts (All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.):

Oak Ridge Park, Clark

• August 1^st  Jobonanno & the Godsons
• August 8th American Rapture
• August 15th Brother John Brown Band
• August 22th Dead on Live

Please visit www.ucnj.org/summer for more summertime fun activities.

Little Free Libraries are being installed all over the country. The book exchanges have grown to 36,000 around the world in 70 countries. Locally, we have seen little libraries popping up on front lawns. Now, a new Little Free Library at Union County’s Unami Park will join the movement to share books, bring families together, and create communities of readers. 

The Mothers’ Center of Central New Jersey (MCCNJ) brought the project of a Little Free Library to the Union County Freeholder Board. MCCNJ Members Trina Junod and Nicole Eng presented the idea to the County who enthusiastically approved the concept.

The MCCNJ  and Freeholder Board will host a launch party at Unami Park for their Little Free Library on Sunday July 29^th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., open to the public. The celebration will include light refreshments, family storytime, and a book swap.

“We always look at new ways to expand resources being provided in our parks system–from the free WiFi we have introduced to new recreational activities, and this is another new service, which expands educational offerings to residents—both young and old–attending our parks,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

“One of our missions at the Mothers’ Center is to pursue opportunities to make the local community a better place for moms and their children and partners. By installing a Little Free Library in our local park, it is our hope this this Little Free Library will bring the surrounding communities together through literacy.”

To learn more about the Mothers’ Center of Central New Jersey, please visit motherscentercnj.org.

Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, is preparing for the approaching system that could bring thunderstorms, heavy rain and gusty winds.

“We are carefully monitoring the weather that is expected to affect our service territory later this afternoon and we’re prepared to respond to any outages,” said John Latka, senior vice president of electric and gas operations for PSE&G. “We’ll have additional personnel scheduled and contractors on standby, with extra tree personnel and equipment at the ready. Our employees are rechecking that all objects are secured at our stations and division headquarters. We encourage our customers to do the same at their homes and businesses.”

High winds can cause flying debris, and bring down trees and power lines. Customers should be cautious and stay alert to their surroundings during and after storms:

•   Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything it might be in contact with. If a wire falls on or near your car, stay inside the car, call 911, and do not get out until PSE&G deenergizes the line. If you MUST get out of the vehicle because it is on fire, jump as far as possible away from the vehicle, with both feet landing on the ground at the same time, and hop or shuffle away.

•   To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run any gasoline-powered generators in a garage or any other enclosed space.

To report downed wires or power outages, call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. Also, customers can report outages by logging into their PSE&G account online or by texting “OUT” to 4PSEG (47734). The utility’s mobile-friendly website includes an “Outage Map” that is updated every 15 minutes and displays the location and status of power outages in PSE&G’s service area.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites Union County residents with special needs, and their families and caregivers, to a sensory friendly screening of the hit animated feature Hotel Transylvania 3 on Saturday, August 4th at the AMC Loews Jersey Gardens Theatre in Elizabeth.

Union County residents wishing to purchase tickets for this event may do so online through the Union County Office for People with Special Needs. (https://ucnj.org/departments/human-services/office-for-people-with-special-needs/)

“The Freeholder Board is very proud to partner with AMC in this inclusive event, which provides an opportunity for special needs children and their families to come out and enjoy a movie together in a supportive and welcoming environment,” said Freeholder chairman Sergio Granados.

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is a computer-animated film that follows a family of monsters on their vacation adventure. Since its premiere on July 13, the film has grossed over $227 million worldwide.

During this special sensory friendly screening, the AMC “silence is golden” policy is not in effect. Audience members are welcome to leave their seats, walk around, dance, shout, sing along, and enjoy the movie in their own way.

Lighting and sound are also adjusted to create a more supportive atmosphere for people with sensory sensitivities.

“We have had an enthusiastic response to our Sensory Friendly Theatre series, and the addition of sensory friendly movies enables us to reach new audiences and grow our programs for people with special needs, said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella.

Freeholder Mirabella established the Sensory Friendly Theatre series of live performances at the Union County Performing Arts Center in 2014, when he served as Chairman. The series continues this fall. For more information visit UCPAC online at ucpac.org.

This sensory friendly screening is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on August 4. Tickets are available online only through the Office for People with Special Needs. Tickets are priced at $5.00 per person and include a food voucher. To order tickets visit ucnj.org/opsn-reg.

The Office for People with Special Needs is part of the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Union County Department of Human Services. It was established through Chairman Granados’s 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiative for inclusion, personal empowerment and community engagement.

For more information about all programs and events organized through the Office for People with Special Needs visit online at ucnj.org or call 908-527-4781.

The Union County Freeholder Board and Warinanco Sports Center have joined forces in planning another exciting and unique event in historic Warinanco Park. On Saturday, August 4, the sports center will be welcoming an array of furry friends and their families and spectators for the first ever ‘Warinanco Pet Parade’! Hosted at the SFM-managed Warinanco Sports Center, it promises to be a fun-filled day for animal lovers in Union County.

Many of the pre-registered dogs met in the park last week to take part in a photo shoot and the Pugs, Poodles and Pomeranians posed for the camera whilst sizing up their competition. Their silver screen debut can be seen across the Warinanco Sports Center social media channels.

“Dogs are wonderful pets and companions, and the Freeholder Board is pleased to be presenting family-based entertainment at the Warinanco Sports Center,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We invite all our residents to come out and enjoy a great event-filled day in the park.”

Dog owners have the opportunity to enter their prized pooch in a variety of different competitions held throughout the day such as “Prettiest Puppy”, “Most Obedient Dog”, “Best Groomed Dog”, and “Dog & Owner Lookalike”. The dogs will also get a chance to test their agility and speed on the dog-friendly obstacle course in a specially built arena in the park. The main event will be judged by a panel of special guests including Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

Warinanco Sports Center wants to celebrate with the whole family, including four-legged friends. In addition to the dog show and competitions, there will be face painting, a caricaturist to capture pets and their paw-rents, an art wall where guests can draw their own pet, a craft area to make dog or cat toys for animals in local shelters, kids games, a doggy splash pad, and a vendor market that will be serving up fresh food including BBQ and cold drinks.

If interested in having your dog be a part of the various shows and competitions, you must register prior to the event. The deadline to register is Wednesday August 1st and costs $10 per entry. Registration can be done online by visiting www.warinancopark.com/event/pet-parade/. Family members, friends, and other four-legged friends are welcome to spectate for only $3 per person or pet. The event will run from 11AM – 4PM with the competition beginning at 12PM sharp.

Throughout the remainder of the turf field months, Warinanco Sports Center will host even more exciting events such as a Fitness Festival, Food Festival, Sunday Funday, and more. Most events require pre-registration or ticket purchase, and food or beverages will be available for purchase from Warinanco Café. More information can be found by visiting the Warinanco Sports Center Facebook page and website. Both platforms will contain event updates and additional events as they are added throughout the season.

For event booking inquiries please contact Rebecca Bird at rbird@sportadvisory.com. The Warinanco Sports Center is managed by the industry-leading sports facility management company, The Sports Facilities Management, LLC (SFM).