County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that Second Chance, a program of the Plainfield Area YMCA is now accepting applications from out-of-school youths and young adults ages 16-24.

Second Chance is a free program designed to help young people gain life skills and training that leads to gainful employment and career advancement.

“Second Chance will help bring together educational and workforce development resources, to help ensure that every young person in Union County is in a good position to find work and improve their situation,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The Second Chance program provides assistance with GED preparation and testing, as well as employment training and services.

“Second Chance offers an intensive, multi-faceted approach that helps young people assemble a stronger foundation for success in life,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Freeholder liaison to the Union County Human Services Advisory Council.

Key topics covered by the program include leadership development, financial literacy, secondary school alternatives, entrepreneurial skills training, and healthy living.

Participants will have access to the YMCA computer room, fitness center and other resources.

Second Chance is fully funded under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), a national program that coordinates educational and career training resources. The Freeholder Board is responsible for administering federal WIOA funds in Union County.

The Freeholder Board designated the Plainfield Area YMCA to receive the funds for Second Chance based on the recommendation of the Union County Workforce Development Board.

Second Chance will be offered at the Plainfield Area YMCA, 518 Watchung Avenue in Plainfield, in a series of classes that meets Mondays through Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The program begins in January and will conclude in March.

Partnering with the Plainfield Area YMCA in the Second Chance program are Union County College, and the non-profit organizations Homefirst, United Family and Children Services, and Venture Venture.

For more information about Second Chance contact Program Director India Hughes at the Plainfield YMCA, 908-756-6060 ext. 104 or ihughes@plainfieldymca.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 seeking information about services for senior adults age 60 and over can visit Union County’s Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) program in January, at public locations in Clark, Westfield, Fanwood, Mountainside, Linden and Union. Staff from the Union County Department of Human Services Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection will be present at these locations to answer questions and offer guidance.

 All Union County residents are welcome to attend any of these ASK events.

“The goal of ASK is to help seniors and their caregivers access programs and services available to them, by conducting outreach events in their communities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The ASK program brings our knowledgeable, experienced staff to convenient locations throughout Union County.”

Through the ASK outreach effort, staff from the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) have been traveling throughout the County, providing information about senior services including home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.

Assistance with completing applications and forms is also available at ASK events.

“For services that require an application, ADRC staff can help make the process go more smoothly,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who the Freeholder Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council. “I encourage seniors and caregivers to visit a nearby ASK event and avail themselves of the opportunity to get accurate, reliable information about resources that can help improve their quality of life.”

The January 2017 dates and locations are:

Monday, January 9

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue

Clark, 07066

10:00 am to 12:00pm

Wednesday, January 11

Linden Public Library

31 E. Henry Street

Linden, 07036

10:00am to 12:00pm

Thursday, January 12

Westfield Community Center

558 West Broad Street

Westfield 07090

10:30am to 12:30pm

Wednesday, January 18

Fanwood Public Library

5 Forest Road

Fanwood, 07023

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Friday, January 20

Mountainside Municipal Building

1385 Route 22 East

Mountainside, 07092

11:30 am to 1:30pm

Tuesday, January 24

Union Public Library

1080 Morris Avenue

Union, 07083

10:00 a.m. to 12 noon

The ADRC model is a state initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012, providing services can enable seniors and the disabled to remain in their homes and communities. The goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families.

ADRC is one of 670 area agencies on aging nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.  Union County ADRC has information printed in both English and Spanish.

For further information about Union County ADRC call the division’s toll-free number: 1-888-280-8226, or 908-527-4870, or 908-527-4858 or visit the Union County government website at www.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 – As the seasonal holidays draw near, the hectic rush of shopping, traveling and preparing for visitors can put consumers at greater risk for scams, fraud and theft. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that they can take a few simple steps to protect themselves.

“To ensure that you are protected, start by taking a step back from all the stress and excitement of the holidays,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Take some time to plan your shopping ahead of time, whether it’s in a store or online.”

Law enforcement and consumer professionals recommend that in-store shoppers prepare a list ahead of time, only carry the credit cards and ID that they need, and plan their excursions to avoid carrying too many bags at once.

When checking out of a store, shoppers should remain at the register long enough to get their receipt, put their change or credit card back in place, organize their shopping bags and ensure that their wallet or purse is secured about their person.

Shoppers are advised to never leave a purse or wallet in a shopping cart, or in an easily accessible pocket.

Thieves are known to scout parking lots, looking for vehicles with open trunks or visible packages. Shoppers should use caution when loading goods into their vehicle. Packages left in a parked car should be covered or kept in the trunk, and all doors should be checked to ensure they are locked.

“Staying alert and organized helps to deter thieves who are looking for easy opportunities to strike,” said Bergen.

Another area of risk has emerged with the growing popularity of online shopping. Theft of unattended packages from doorways and porches is becoming more common.

Online shoppers who are not home for long periods should make alternate plans for package delivery. For example, depending on the sender some packages can be directed for pickup at a local post office or delivery service.

Online scammers can also do a great amount of damage if shoppers are not careful. Home computer users should ensure that their security settings are up to date, and be on the lookout for any alerts or messages regarding possible compromises.

To help consumers avoid scams and frauds, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has developed an Anti-Fraud Toolkit.

“The Anti-Fraud Toolkit is especially useful for seniors,” said Bergen. “It presents effective, reliable information in an easy to follow format.”

To view the Toolkit online or to download the Toolkit in English or Spanish, visit fightingfraud.nj.gov.

Consumers in need of assistance in Union County can call the Union County Office of Consumer Affairs at 908-654-9840 or use the online fraud reporting form on the County website, 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 – A large group of student volunteers from the Kean University Center for Leadership and Service braved the cold last weekend to work on a stream habitat in Union County’s Warinanco Park.

“The stream has become an important feature of the Warinanco Park ecosystem, and thanks to these volunteers it will be healthier and more welcoming to diverse species in the coming years,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The volunteers went above and beyond to spend hours working in the cold on behalf of nature conservation, and their efforts are deeply appreciated.”

The volunteers spent the day raking leaves and picking up trash from the stream, to expose the soil of the banks in preparation for a hard-frost seeding of native grass and wildflowers. The seeding will take place later this winter.

The stream in the park was daylighted several years ago in a restoration project. Daylighting is a process that involves uncovering buried streams to bring them back to a more natural state.

Daylighted streams have many environmental benefits including flood mitigation and water quality improvement.

The work was conducted under Adopt-a-Park, a program of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. Kean University students are frequent participants in the program and have logged many volunteer hours at Warinanco Park, Echo Lake Park and other parts of the Union County park system.

Any individual or group is welcome to join the Union County Adopt-a-Park/Adopt-a-Trail program. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-789-3683 or visit online at 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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ — A letter to Santa written in ink with a quill pen?  An entry to an 18^th century diary about life in the Watchung Mountains?

Wherever their imagination takes them, youngsters are invited to stop into the Church/General Store at the Deserted Village this weekend and experience how messages were sent long before the smartphone.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite youngsters and their parents to visit the Deserted Village of Feltville in the Watchung Reservation and experience what it was like to ‘text’ in Colonial America. The event will take place this Sunday, December 18, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Children will be able to write with a quill pen and ink on parchment paper to experience what it was like writing a letter in Colonial times. The popular activity makes its return just in time for children to write letters to Santa Claus or anyone else they wish to communicate with while sitting at writing desks in the Church/General Store.

“When this activity was first introduced, it was an immediate hit with the children,” said Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski. “It’s an opportunity for the kids to have fun while learning how people kept in touch with one another in the past.”

A Parks Department staffer will be on hand to guide the children in their writing, and to suggest what they might write about if they had been alive in the 1700’s when the western end of what is now Union County was just being settled.

The Deserted Village of Feltville is located within the 2,142-acre Watchung Reservation on Cataract Hallow Road in Berkeley Heights.

The Visitor Center in the Church/General Store is open most Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from Noon-5:00 pm. For GPS, use the location 2 Cataract Hollow Road, Berkeley Heights, NJ.

For more information on the Desert Village of Feltville, you can visit ucnj.org/dv.

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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, NJ – Union County 4-H students braved the biting cold last weekend to gather at the County’s historic Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield, where they planted three new sycamore trees and a weeping willow with an assist from Union County park maintenance.

The trees were donated by the Union County College Historic Tree Program.

From left to right are 4-H members Nikhil Choudhary of New Providence, Marcus Ciasco of Westfield, Siddarth Vadavatha of Scotch Plains,  James Brodowski of Cranford, Rob and Michael Laumbach of Fanwood, Ryan Jones of Fanwood and Sandeep Mukherjee of Scotch Plains. 

Union County 4-H is a youth development program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, providing students in grades 1-12 with opportunities to practice leadership, teamwork and other essential life skills.

To join or become a volunteer 4-H club leader, contact 4-H Youth Development Agent Jim Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854, email jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org or visit online at ucnj.org/rce.

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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 League of Women Voters (LWV) of Berkeley Heights, New Providence & Summit Co-President Susan Ferris Rights (L) presents the LWV “Making Democracy Work” Award to Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (R), Past LWVUS President Susan Lederman (2nd L) and New Providence High School teacher Stephanie Hornstein during the LWV Scholarship Fund Gala December 11 in New Providence. For more information about the LWV, visit www.lwv-bhnps.org (Photo by Jim Lowey/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Linda Carter and Alexander Mirabella and Union County Economic Development Director Amy Wagner speak with students at the 4^th annual UC STEP Summit at Kean University in Union. The Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program (UCSTEP) is a day-long summit that invites high school sophomores and juniors from throughout Union County to participate in hands-on activities focused on leadership, personal growth, and civic engagement. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

South Asian Community Outreach (SACO) will honor Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados with a Civic Service award for his commitment to engaging diverse communities throughout New Jersey in his continued efforts to achieve social unity and economic equality among all residents. Vice Chairman Granados will be formally honored at the SACO annual Interfaith Holiday Celebration on Wednesday, December 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Royal Albert’s Palace in Edison, NJ.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized by SACO, whose mission is vital to achieving full engagement and representation of New Jersey’s diversity in civic service,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados. “Making a difference begins with engaging and empowering the community and each other. I am proud of the work of SACO that puts the community first. As one of the most diverse states in the country, it is important to not only work to represent, engage, and support the residents of Union County but also those throughout the State of New Jersey, and SACO is an important partner to reach beyond the Union County boarders.”

“Freeholder Vice Chairman Granados’ diligent work as a community leader exemplifies the mission of our organization and brings honor to this award,” said SACO President Sam Khan. “Vice Chairman Granados is an important ambassador for what SACO seeks to achieve.”

Tickets to the SACO annual Interfaith Holiday Celebration are available now. Each ticket includes dinner, live music, picture with Santa and much more. For more information or to purchase tickets through the SACO visit saconj.com or call (732) 902-2106.

South Asian Community Outreach (SACO) is a New Jersey based non-profit, non-religious and bipartisan organization. The mission of SACO is to promote South Asian Americans in mainstream public affairs, civic discourse, community outreach and party politics in the US.

Central to the SACO mission is the formation of partnerships to address social injustices and build alliances between South Asians and other communities who struggle for long-term social change.

SACO seeks to empower South Asian Americans in American politics. SACO is dedicated to advancing the health, empowerment and solidarity of persons of South Asian origin in the US. SACO believes in self-sustaining communities who actively raise their voices, take leadership and challenge social injustices, both within and beyond the South Asian community.

Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, a native of Elizabeth and community activist who has experience working with non-profits and volunteer organizations, was elected to his first full term to the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder in 2013 – becoming the youngest Democratic Freeholder ever elected in the State of New Jersey. Granados also holds a Masters of Public Administration from Kean University.

Through his work on the Freeholder Board, Granados has emphasized community outreach and fiscal reform, workforce initiatives that have created over 1,000 job opportunities in 2015 alone,  parks and educational improvements, and additional initiatives to benefit veterans and individuals with disabilities.

In 2015, Granados founded Moving New Jersey Forward, a community-based non-profit, whose mission is to raise awareness and education efforts at the local and national level about social justice issues.

In addition, Granados has a long record of activism, he has served with many organizations, including Hispanos Unidos, the Elizabeth Lions Club, the Portuguese Instructive Social Club, the Elizabeth Portugal Day Committee, Union County Latino-American Chamber of Commerce, New Leaders Council-New Jersey & Shaping Elizabeth.

The SACO annual Interfaith Holiday Celebration will be held on Wednesday, December 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Royal Albert’s Palace in Edison, NJ. For more information about SACO visit saconj.com.