County of Union, New Jersey

Update: the next training session will take place in September and October, during evening hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. More details are available on the updated press release.

Union County, NJ – Union County residents who are seeking ways to give back to the community can apply to volunteer with the Union County Rape Crisis Center. Volunteers at the Rape Crisis Center provide guidance and support for victims of sexual violence.

The Rape Crisis Center is a program of the Union County Department of Human Services, and all volunteers are trained, mentored and supported by professional Union County staff.

“Our Rape Crisis Center volunteers are a powerful force for good in the Union County community,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “In many cases, a victim of sexual violence cannot turn to family or friends for support. Our volunteers are non-judgmental. They offer victims the vital elements of human empathy and understanding while providing accurate guidance for managing the legal and medical aftermath of sexual violence.”

No previous experience in counseling is required. Once trained, Rape Crisis Center volunteers answer calls to the Rape Crisis Center hotline as certified Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates. They also provide medical or legal guidance in person by accompanying victims at hospitals, police departments, courtrooms and other locations related to the aftermath of sexual violence.

The Rape Crisis Center is currently organizing the next round of training sessions. All sessions will take place during daytime hours at Rape Crisis Center offices, located in the Colleen Fraser Building at the Union County complex, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

“Previous training sessions have taken place during evening hours, and with this new daytime schedule we hope to accommodate an additional group of volunteers,” said Chairman Granados.

Union County residents who may be interested in daytime training sessions are invited to call the Rape Crisis Center hotline at 908-233-7273.

Volunteers must be Union County residents at least 18 years of age, with a valid driver’s license and their own vehicle.

For more information about the volunteer experience at Rape Crisis Center call 908-233-7273 or visit the Rape Crisis Center blog, unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

The Rape Crisis Center is part of the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning and has been serving Union County residents since 1984.

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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.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella present a resolution to the members of the Roselle Park Wrestling Team, congratulating them on achieving 1,000 victories in its 82^nd year scholastic competition, a feat accomplished by only one other team in New Jersey history. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

By Freeholder Christopher Hudak,  June 2018

Whether it’s responding to emergencies, getting our children to school, establishing a business, commuting to work, or simply going out for a night on the town: the residents of Union County all depend on public infrastructure to ensure that our communities are safe, prosperous and enjoyable places to live.

Providing modern and up-to-date infrastructure should be a “no-brainer” responsibility of government, but alas, national roads and bridges are crumbling. Failing to maintain our infrastructure not only leaves our nation unsafe and inconvenienced, it locks us out of economic opportunities.

Today, Union County municipalities are still struggling to find room in their budgets for basic improvements to local roads and public buildings, leaving business districts choked and causing a delay in re-vitalization projects for flood control and sewer improvements. That is why I stand behind the Union County Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program, which continues to be a valuable source of partnership and resources between our County and Local Governments.

In 2015, we proudly established this matching grant program. Motivated by a need to better manage revenue from the sale of Runnels Hospital, we decided that these funds served the County best by being reinvested directly back into the community. Through this grant: we’ve built roads, we’ve created jobs, and we’ve made our community better.

The grant program received an enthusiastic response from the start because it empowers local governments to prioritize the projects that they know will make a significant difference in their communities. Including this year’s awards, the county has made available $6 million dollars of infrastructure grant funding to the 21 municipalities- leveraging a possible total of $12 million towards infrastructure spending which otherwise may not have been appropriated across the municipal budgets.

My hometown of Linden provides an excellent example of how a spirit of partnership with County Government can lead to progress.

In the four years of the grant program, Linden has received a total of $415,000 dollars- that’s enough to help cover the cost of six major road and sidewalk improvement projects.  Long stretches of East Blancke Street, West Henry Street, Maple Avenue, Knopf Street, Amon Terrace and Laurita Street have all been improved thanks to the funding from this grant. This includes the replacement of manhole covers, castings, improvements to sidewalks and curbs, and total re-pavements.

People rarely consider roads and bridges until they fail. That is why these long overdue repairs have eased the burden of travel around our town.

The curb and sidewalk improvements have been an even more noticeable difference for pedestrians, especially for Linden residents who are elderly or disabled, and for those who push strollers or accompany small children.

Whether you are driving, walking or cycling, roads and walkways are the lifeblood of a functioning community, and I am proud that this Freeholder Board continues to provide the financial assistance that enables Linden and all of our 21 municipalities to keep Union County moving forward.

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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.

LINDEN, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the return of Shakespeare in the Park this summer. The first performance will be presented on Sunday, July 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade in Linden.

The Shrew Mechanicals Troupe from The Shakespeare Theatre of New jersey will present an hour long performance of “Powerful Trouble,” a stirring collection of moments and music from Shakespeare’s great canon of plays, as well as selections from some of the profound, witty, and light-hearted works his plays have inspired over the centuries.

“We are thrilled to have the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey back in our parks this summer to offer their amazing performance to our Union County residents,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

The production will also be presented on two other dates: Friday, July 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside, and on Sunday afternoon, July 22, at 12:30 p.m. in Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield.

All performances are free and have something for every audience.

For more information on Shakespeare in the Park and other programs of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, visit online at ucnj.org, email parksinfo@ucnj.org or call 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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

A shooting that left a man dead and a woman seriously injured in Plainfield overnight is under investigation, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan announced Sunday.

The deceased victim has been identified as Michael Welsh, 34, of Plainfield.

Plainfield Police Division patrol units responding to a ShotSpotter gunshot notification shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday arrived at the area of New and West 5th streets to find the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Welsh was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where he was pronounced dead approximately one hour later.

The female victim, a 25-year-old Scotch Plains resident, remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The shooting remains under active joint investigation by the Union County Homicide Task Force, Plainfield Police Division, Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, and Union County Police Department Ballistics Unit. Anyone with information about this matter is being urged to contact Task Force Sgt. Johnny Ho at 908-403-8271 or Detective William Guy at 908-347-2212.   

The Union County Crime Stoppers are also offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. Tips can be given anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org.

Due to the weather forecast, tonight’s concert originally located at Echo Lake Park is now MOVED INDOORS to the Main Stage of the Union County Performing Arts Center, at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway.

Come an enjoy an evening with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at this beautifully restored 1920’s era former vaudeville hall. Concert begins at 7:30 sharp (sorry, no yoga tonite).

Info about the Union County Performing Arts Center:http://www.ucpac.org/