County of Union, New Jersey

(From left) Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski presents a resolution to Senior Citizen Council Executive Director Richard Stone, Union County Division on Aging Director Fran Benson and Senior Citizen Council Board Chair Ellen Steinberg proclaiming May 2014 as Older Americans Month at the Senior Citizen Council of Union County’s 43rd Annual Luncheon at L’Affaire in Mountainside. They were joined by Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi who was honored by the group at the event. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Wood-Ridge, May 2013 – As of May 1st, Meadowlink, a non-profit transportation services provider serving six of the most densely populated counties in New Jersey, has resumed the late night shuttle service between the City of Elizabeth and Newark Liberty International Airport. The program is returning primarily due to funding provided by NJ Transit using federal dollars.

The free service will be provided using two shuttle buses and will operate every 30 minutes from 2 am to 5 am, seven days a week, between residents’ homes in Elizabeth and the Airport.  The riders will be dropped off and picked up at NJ Transit bus stop located at Terminal B. Riders are required to make reservations by calling 1-866-208-1307 at least 24-hours in advance and service is provided on a first-come first-served basis.

Union County Freeholder and Meadowlink Trustee Angel Estrada said that he was pleased with the resumption of the shuttle service that is used by about 50 residents from the City of Elizabeth to safely access jobs at the Airport.

Meadowlink is a non-profit, public-private partnership that was created to improve access to affordable transportation, reduce traffic congestion and promote economic growth by working with business and government agencies to address the transportation challenges in Northern New Jersey. Under its EZ Ride brand, Meadowlink manages the state’s largest carpool, vanpool and employee shuttle programs as well as senior transportation, special transportation and bike and pedestrian services.

For additional information, please visit Meadowlink online at: www.ezride.org, call (201) 939-4242 or email: info@ezride.org.

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(From left) Union County Freeholders Bruce Bergen, Vernell Wright, Bette Jane Kowalski and Sergio Granados and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi congratulate Angelito David (3rd L) of Linden on winning first place in the professional category at the 13th Annual Union County Employee Art Show during the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their relatives. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 27, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Union County Freeholders Bruce Bergen, Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright and Sergio Granados congratulate Christine Marti-Millward of Linden on winning first place in the youth category at the 13th Annual Union County Employee Art Show during the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their relatives. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 27, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Union County Freeholders Bruce Bergen, Vernell Wright, Bette Jane Kowalski, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Freeholder Sergio Granados congratulate Bruce Long (3rd L) of Westfield on winning first place in the intermediate category at the 13th Annual Union County Employee Art Show during the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their relatives. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 27, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Bruce Bergen, Vernell Wright (2nd R) Bette Jane Kowalski (R) congratulate Kelly Capasso of Cranford on winning first place in the teen category at the 13th Annual Union County Employee Art Show during the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their relatives. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 27, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

RAHWAY, NJ – Most teenagers daydream about singing or dancing on a stage before a live audience. That dream becomes reality for some Union County middle and high school students at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14th when their performances are showcased at the Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving Street, in Rahway’s downtown arts district.

Instrumental groups, vocal groups, pianists, dancers, theater performances and visual artists were selected for the May 14th Showcase from the 4,000 students who participated at the 2014 Teen Arts Festival at Union County College in Cranford in March. The annual Festival is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and coordinated by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation.

“The Teen Arts Festival is a wonderful opportunity for students to interact with professional artists while sharing their own talents with students from other schools,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Students appearing in the Showcase represent many of the performing arts disciplines and the municipalities that participated in the 2014 Festival.”

The Teen Arts Festival is a two-day celebration of the arts where students and a staff of 50 professional artists participate in performances, critiquing seminars, master classes and workshops in every discipline – visual arts, music, creative writing, theater, media arts and dance. The Festival’s focus is not on competition but an opportunity for students to develop perceptual, intellectual and technical skills; gain cultural awareness and understanding; develop personal, aesthetic values; and learn self-discipline, critical thinking and problem solving through analyzing, interpreting and making judgments.

The Teen Arts Showcase is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Performing Arts Center. Teachers, fellow students, friends and family members of participating students are invited to attend the Showcase along with the general public.  Admission is free.  For more information contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: 908-558-2550. NJ Relay Users dial 711.  Or send e-mail to:Culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

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Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that Union County has officially recognized May as Community Action Month. The designation, approved by resolution on April 24, celebrates the 50-year anniversary of the national Community Action initiative and highlights the impact of Community Action Agencies on the quality of life in Union County and the nation.

“Community Action Agencies have a provide those in need with a helping hand to a more economically secure footing,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “By recognizing National Community Action Month we affirm the value of working to ensure improved health and safe living conditions for all Union County households.”

Participants in Community Action Month include Trinitas Hospital and Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey, which will present information about their services from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 7, at the Gill Apartments in Cranford.

In addition, the following events have been coordinated to take place in Elizabeth on Friday May 16, which is recognized as National Community Action Day:

• The Urban League of Union County will hold an Open House to present information about emergency assistance from 9:00 a.m.to 12:00 noon at 288 North Broad Street.
• The Salvation Army will host an “Ice Cream for Lunch” to present information about emergency housing services, from 11:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m. at 1018 East Grand Street.
• The Gateway Family YMCA will host a Housing Open House from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 135 Madison Avenue.

Community Action Agencies were established in 1964, as part of the federal Economic Opportunity Act signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Today, there are approximately 1,100 Community Action Agencies covering 99% of America’s counties in suburban, rural, and urban communities.

In partnership with other social services agencies, the Department of Human Services provides thousands of Union County residents with assistance in meeting vital needs including food, rent, mortgage, and utility service.

The Department of Human Services also provides assistance with emergency and disaster relief, financial literacy, emergency shelter at night, health care, employment, and counseling for mental health issues including substance abuse.

Within the department, the Division on Aging and the Office for the Disabled provide resources and referrals to Union County residents from all walks of life.

For more information about Community Action Month events and other services for low income individuals and families, contact Leslie Gutierrez, Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning, 908-527-4861.

For information about all other Human Services and Union County government services and programs, visit the Union County government website, ucnj.org.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – A free public information event on injury prevention and other guidance for seniors and their caregivers will take place on Friday, May 23 at the Cranford campus of Union County College, 1033 Springfield Avenue. The event is sponsored by the Union County Department of Human Services in partnership with Union County College and the Psi Beta Honor Society.

Free blood pressure screenings will be available at the event, which also includes information on home care, care giver services, nutrition, legal services, and transportation services.

“By cutting down on your risk of injury, you can help ensure that your later years are healthy, active, and independent,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “I encourage seniors, their families, and caregivers to stop by the Cranford campus on May 23 to learn some reliable strategies for avoiding injury at home and outside.

Nationwide, millions of seniors are medically treated and tens of thousands die annually as a result of injuries, mostly due to falls.

The event is being held in recognition of May as Older Americans Month, a national designation that began in 1963. This year’s theme is “Safe Today, Healthy Tomorrow.”

In addition to providing information specific to injury prevention, personnel from the Division of Aging and Disability Resource Connection of the Union County’s Department of Human Services will be on hand to provide information on a wide range of resources for seniors, their families, and caregivers.

For more information about this event and other services and resources for senior adults age 60 and older and their families, call the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Center toll free at 888-280-8226 or visit ucnj.org/aging.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak (4th R) led the ground breaking on the construction of a $11 million expansion of the West Hall building for the Union County Vocational-Technical School High School in Scotch Plains. He was joined by (from left) Scotch Plains Mayor Kevin Glover, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Union County Schools Interim Executive Superintendent Kathleen Serafino, UCVTS Board of Education President Jane Lorber, Assemblywoman Linda Stender, UCVTS Superintendent Peter Capodice, Freeholder Bruce Bergen, Freeholder Vernell Wright and Union County Deputy County Manager William Reyes.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

SCOTCH PLAINS— Union County elected officials, school administrators, teachers and students today broke ground on the construction of a $11 million expansion of the West Hall building for the Union County Vocational-Technical School High School.

The expanded, two-story, steel-frame academic building will service the district’s four-year, full-time Union County Vocational-Technical High School (UCTech) and will open in September, with more than 300 students expected to be using the facility.

“We’re hoping the next generation of Union County’s entrepreneurs, builders and creators will be educated here,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak, who also serves as a Freeholder liaison to Vo-Tech School Board. “We’re proud to be investing in our children’s future, and it pays off as Union County’s Vocational-Technical education system is one of the strongest in New Jersey.”

The 38,000 square-foot addition will contain 10 new classrooms, two new computer labs for biology and chemistry-physics, a faculty room, administration office, and a 1,200 square foot fitness center with adjoining health classroom. The total project cost of the expansion—approximately $11 million—will be financed through a county bond issue. The architect for the project is Netta Architects of Mountainside, and the general contractor is Mar-Bridge Enterprises of Matawan, NJ. Pinnacle Construction Management of Newark, is the construction manager.

“The addition to West Hall will be used to provide all the academic programs for UCTech full time students,” said Union County Vocational-Technical Schools Superintendent Peter A. Capodice. “At this time, all UCTech full-time students receive the academic portion of their program in our Academy for Information Technology (AIT at Bistocchi Hall). This will allow us to grow both the AIT and UCTech programs.”

UCTech is one of the five academies at the school, and offers students a four-year, full-time program that combines high-end academics with access to the career or technical training program of their choice. Students at UC Tech follow a comprehensive high school education program while simultaneously pursuing opportunities to study traditional vocational-technical programs. These programs include automotive technology, building trades, communication, public safety, culinary arts and cosmetology, among the 20 or programs.

UCTech, recipient of the “National Blue Ribbon School Award” in 2013, also has highly specialized career academies under its umbrella including Exercise Physiology and Related Sciences; the UCTech School of Design, and  the Teacher Education Academy.

Union County Vocational Technical High School’s shared-time vocational-technical training programs serves over 600 Union County high school students in 23 occupational areas as well as over 150 post-secondary adults. The District’s apprenticeship program continues to be the largest program in New Jersey serving over 2,500 apprentices.

More than 1,300 students—plus an additional 580 shared time students—attend all five academies of the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools system. In 2013 both the Academy for Information Technology (AIT) and the Magnet High School were recipients of the prestigious “National Blue Ribbon School Award”. This was the second time the Magnet High School earned the award (2004).

 

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