Month: June 2015

Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan (R) thanked VFW Post 2433 Commander Leo Graf (3^rd R) and past Commander and Quartermaster Bob Johnsen (2^nd R) as they presented the Sheriff’s Office K9 Search and Rescue Unit with 5 K9 ballistic vests Post 2433 donated.  The officers from the K9 unit are (from left) Officer Ryan Wilson, Detective Anthony Gialanella, Officer Timothy O’Grady, Officer Bryan Frew and Sgt. Brian Howarth. K9 Ruger is wearing one of the donated vests. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (3^rd from left) congratulates incoming UNICO National President Dr. Ann Walko (second from left). They are joined by Anthony Bengivenga (first, left), President of the Westfield Chapter of UNICO, and (fourth , left), Joe Almeida, President of the Union Chapter of UNICO.

Walko, a professor at Kean University, is also a resident of Scotch Plains. She begins her tenure as President in July. UNICO National is the nation’s largest Italian-American non-profit service organization whose chapters engage in philanthropic, cultural, educational and anti-bias activities.  The organization has 140 chapters nationwide.

Photo by Lamar Mackson, Public Information Division

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (R) joined employees from McKinsey & Company working on an Adopt a Park Project in the Watchung Reservation. The employees volunteer their time for the cleanup and the company provided equipment, materials and tools to help with the improvement project. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

United Way of Greater Union County and Community Partner Organizations to Combat Issues Affecting Families In Need

Elizabeth, New Jersey ~ The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has approved funding for United Way of Greater Union (UWGUC) to implement Union County’s Focus on Families initiative that will integrate economic development, workforce development and family services in a comprehensive effort to support families, particularly those most in need. The initiative calls for the building of two new Family Success Centers (Union and Rahway) and the implementation of a Youth Employment Program (will open by the end of the year).

The highly-anticipated initiative will integrate the UWGUC Family Success Center model with resources and programs offered through the Union County Families Resource Network (The Network).  The Network, a partnership created by United Way of Greater Union County in 2008, boasts an impressive list of social service agencies, community-based organizations, employers and training facilities, and resource providers that promote strengthening families.  Through the management of a consortium of service providers, UWGUC will also implement a new youth employment initiative (known as the Youth Employment and Training program) funded by the Union County Workforce Investment Board (WIB).  The consortium will collectively provide services customized to train and employ 150 teens and young adults ages 14-21years old.  The initiative will officially begin July 1st and run through 2016.

“When our families do well, the community thrives,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, who announced the program as part of his initiatives as Chairman for 2015, and serves as a liaison to the WIB.   “Our families must have the basics – jobs that provide enough income to support a decent standard of living, safe streets, effective schools, and affordable health care. This initiative creates a comprehensive partnership between private, non-profit and government sectors in Union County and leverages our effort in support of these goals.”  

The Youth Employment & Training program is designed to find and engage employers who will provide summer internships, year-round pre-apprenticeships and on-the-job-training opportunities. Youth will also receive supportive services that include adult mentoring, guidance and counseling (mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, etc.), financial literacy education, entrepreneurial skills training, tutoring, study skills training, and dropout prevention services. The intent is to expose youth to the workplace and teach them the responsibilities of keeping and excelling in a job, and ultimately a career.  

“The Chairman’s initiative is very timely,” stated Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is a liaison to the WIB.  “As the economy improves and the needs and demographics of local communities continue to evolve, the linking of economic development, workforce development and family support provides an excellent opportunity for our families to improve their quality of life.”

The Freeholder Board has appointed a task force to monitor the progress of the initiative to ensure families and youth receive the necessary support and services.  Consortium partners will report to UWGUC and the County to provide coordinated efforts and make adjustments to programs as necessary. The services may adjust, as data is analyzed and used for programming.  As UWGUC leads the way, the first year of operation will be devoted to executing the initiative and hosting regular planning meetings among the consortium partners to assure that target levels of service, best practices and quality improvement measures are being performed.

“I’m pleased our community leadership and elected officials are behind this work.  We have worked diligently to bring together those who have the resources to help support families in need.  Our data shows us that when families grow stronger, children do better in school, and the quality of life in neighborhoods gets better,” states James W. Horne, President/CEO of United Way of Greater Union County.

For more information call 908-353-7171 or visit www.uwguc.org.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that Union County has been included in the latest round of Green Acres funding approved by New Jersey’s Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) and the Department of Environmental Protection.

Out of a statewide total of $102.3 million in grants approved by GSPT for open space acquisition and recreation, Union County received a matching grant of $1.65 million.

“This is one of the largest grants of its kind ever received by Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Our population is growing, and this funding will enable us to continue preserving open space and improving our facilities to meet the increased demand for public recreation.”

Jalloh noted that the Freeholder Board will use the funding to help offset previous land acquisitions by the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

The County’s Trust Fund was established by popular referendum in 2000 with overwhelming support from voters. Since then, the Trust Fund has preserved more than 300 acres for open space and public recreation, while helping to fund municipal recreation and historic preservation projects.

The $102.3 million total approved by GSPT includes $93.3 million for local governments and nonprofit groups, and $9 million for State land acquisition projects.

In addition to the $1.65 million awarded to Union County, GSPT recommended approval of  several grants that will be applied to municipalities within the County. These include:

• Plainfield — $1.1 million for improvements in multiple parks.
• Roselle — $1.1 million for improvement of Armenia Field Park.
• Linden, Springfield, Union Township — These municipalities are named in a $350,000 matching grant awarded to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation,  for acquisitions related to the Arthur Kill Greenway in Union County and Middlesex County.
• Linden, Rahway – These municipalities are named in a $350,000 matching grant awarded to the Trust for Public Land, for harbor estuaries acquisitions.

For details on all of the GSPT awards statewide visit nj.gov/dep/greenacres/.

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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The popular Wednesday Matinee Series at Trailside Nature & Science Center returns on July 1, offering family entertainment beginning at 1:30 p.m.  All shows, which run approximately 45 minutes, are recommended for children ages 4 years of age and up. Admission is $5.00 per person and tickets go on sale at 1:00 p.m. the day of the show.

“The Summer Wednesday Matinee Series at Trailside presents imaginative, interactive and educational shows which teach and entertain the whole family,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.

• On July 1, join the fabulous Mr. Fish as we present ”Fantastic Forces,” a fast paced, funny show with interactive audience participation. Gravity, sound waves, air pressure and other forces are engagingly illustrated in this program sponsored by the Trailside Museum Association.
• On July 8, “Mammal Mania” will feature an educational and fun program featuring live animals. Join Wallaby Tales Traveling Zoo for an engaging and humorous show.
• On July 15 you won’t want to miss “Rizzo’s Reptiles.” This program mixes nature, environment and conservation. The program features live snakes, turtles and an alligator.
• On July 22, Mr. Fish returns in ”Phenomenal Physics,” featuring astounding tricks with scientific explanations.
• On July 29, there’s pure laser fun set to rock and pop music in a show entitled ”Lasermania.”
• August 5, “Bubble Trouble” mixes comedy and music with featured entertainer Jeff Boyer who juggles, sculpts and builds with bubbles, some which are fog-filled.

The Wednesday Matinee Series concludes on August 12 with “Abracadabra, It’s Joe Fisher.” This show is a blend of magic, audience participation, comedy and excitement.

For additional information about the Wednesday Matinee Series or other upcoming programs and special events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan swears in Dennis Burke as he is promoted to the rank of Captain during a ceremony at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible is Captain Burke’s wife Meredith. Captain Burke, a 20-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, will continue his assignment as the Commander of the Fugitive, Family Violence and Street Crime Units. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)