Author: corinnefiretto

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the 2026 seasonal recycling program will continue in July, featuring a variety of events designed to help residents recycle unwanted, expired, or hazardous items and to promote sustainable waste management practices in the community.

“We want residents to know that every celebration, barbecue, or beach day enjoyed this summer presents a new opportunity for them to responsibly recycle and care for their environment – we’re here to make it as easy and convenient to do so,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “I encourage residents to review the dates, plan ahead, and take advantage of this free resource.”   

Union County offers free mobile paper shredding events from March through October, giving residents a secure and convenient way to dispose of personal documents on-site. Events run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., or until trucks reach capacity. Residents are encouraged to participate in the following July shredding event:

• Thursday, July 9th: Rahway River Park (Service yard across from swimming pool), 3 Parkway Drive, Rahway

Union County’s paper shredding events are for sensitive and personal documents only, including legal, medical, and financial records. No businesses are allowed to participate. Junk mail, advertisements, magazines, and all other waste papers not considered sensitive or confidential should be recycled through a municipal recycling program.

Please remove all bindings, large plastic or metal clips, and other items prior to the event (staples are permitted). Pre-shredded, damp, or wet paper will not be accepted.

Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling Program also continues in July, providing residents with various opportunities to responsibly recycle various metal items, including refrigerators (with doors removed), metal cabinets, appliances, bicycles, aluminum scrap, and even air conditioners. The next scrap metal events of the season will take place on Thursday, July 2nd & Saturday, July 18th, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at two convenient locations:

• Cranford: Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway: Rahway River Park (service yard across from swimming pool), 3 Parkway Drive

Union County’s next Household Hazardous Waste event will take place on Saturday, August 8th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will be held at Kean University’s Kean Hall Lot, located at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union. At these events, residents can bring a variety of household chemicals for proper recycling or disposal. These items include, but are not limited to, oil-based finishes, motor oil, gasoline, propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, and more. Latex (water-based) paint (wall paint), medical sharps, and welding gas/oxygen cylinders will not be accepted. Residents are advised to dry out latex paint at home using commercial paint hardener, sand, cat litter, or sawdust. Once hardened, it can be thrown in your household trash.

All Union County recycling events are contact-free and drive-up only. Residents must remain in their cars while staff unloads materials from their trunk.

For a complete schedule and more information on all recycling programs hosted by Union County, please visit ucnj.org/recycling/ or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. Residents may also contact their municipal recycling coordinator for more details about recycling in their community. The free Recycle Coach Mobile app provides a handy way to find out what items are included in curbside recycling programs and drop-off sites in Union County. The app provides up-to-date information on both countywide and local recycling programs. Quick links to all environmental programs and activities hosted by Union County are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Union County Sheriff’s Office, will be offering two free self-defense classes for women 18-23 on Wednesday, July 22^nd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the John H. Stamler Police Academy, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

“As young adults head off to college, internships, travel opportunities, and summer jobs, it’s important that they feel prepared and confident navigating new environments,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “These classes are designed to provide practical self-defense skills, increase situational awareness, and help them feel empowered both on campus and in everyday life.”

Empower & Protect: College Bound Self-Defense Essentials for Women is designed to help young women feel more confident, aware, and prepared as they head into college life. Led by experienced law enforcement professionals, these hands-on sessions focus on practical self-defense techniques, situational awareness, and safety strategies for everyday situations on campus, while traveling, and during social activities. Whether you’re preparing to live away from home for the first time, looking to boost your confidence, or simply want to feel more secure in your daily routine, these classes provide valuable skills and knowledge you can carry with you wherever you go.

“Knowing how to recognize and respond to potentially unsafe situations is an important skill, especially for young adults as they prepare for college life, commuting, travel, and greater independence” said Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli. “Our instructors focus on realistic situations and simple techniques that can help participants react quickly and feel more confident in their everyday lives.”

Space is limited, and registration is required. These classes, which involve partnered practice, are identical – please sign up for only one session, and consider registering with a friend or family member. Comfortable workout attire is recommended, and shoes will not be permitted on the mats, so please plan accordingly. To participate in the hands-on portion, attendees must complete a waiver.

For more information or to register, please visit www.ucnj.org/women. To contact Jennifer Erdos at the Union County Office on Women, please call at 908-527-4216 or email Jerdos@ucnj.org.

Free Real Estate Licensing Program Creates Career Opportunities for Young Adults

Union County is partnering with community leaders and workforce development advocates to help connect young adults with a free opportunity to pursue careers in real estate through a new licensing program, designed to remove financial barriers and create pathways to professional success.

The initiative, led by The BLOC Foundation Founder Natasha Davis and Exodus Real Estate Academy Owner Samantha Lamptey, will provide eligible participants with free real estate pre-licensing education. The five-week virtual program is designed for young adults ages 18 to 21, including recent high school graduates, GED recipients, and college students interested in pursuing a career in real estate.

“This program is about creating access and opening doors,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Joseph C. Bodek. “For many young people, the cost of professional training can be a significant obstacle. By connecting students with free educational opportunities and clear career pathways, we are helping them build skills, pursue meaningful careers, and invest in their future. Union County is proud to support initiatives that empower residents, strengthen our workforce, and create opportunities for the next generation.”

Participants must complete 75 hours of coursework to qualify for the New Jersey real estate licensing exam. While students are responsible for the state examination fee, the program covers the cost of the required coursework and training.

Classes will run from July 7 for five weeks and will be held virtually on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Registration is open through June 26. The program is open to eligible participants throughout New Jersey and aims to provide young adults with valuable professional skills and an opportunity to earn a state-recognized credential.

“As someone who teaches students in the trades every day, I’ve seen firsthand how access to opportunity can change the trajectory of a life,” said Natasha Davis, Founder of the BLOC Foundation. “Sponsoring 300 young adults to become licensed real estate agents is about more than a career; it’s creating pathways to entrepreneurship, wealth-building, and economic mobility. When we invest in our young people, we invest in stronger families, stronger communities, and a brighter future for all.”

“Exodus Real Estate Academy is committed to empowering and educating underserved and underprivileged individuals about real estate as a pathway to homeownership, entrepreneurship, career growth, and generational wealth,” said Samantha Lamptey, Founder of Exodus Real Estate Academy. “We believe that education and examples create opportunity and strengthen communities.”

To introduce the opportunity to prospective students and their families, an informational session will be held on June 22 at 6:00 p.m., in the Kean University STEM Building Auditorium, located at 1075 Morris Avenue in Union Township. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the program, licensing requirements, and career opportunities within the real estate industry.

“As a former Board of Education Commissioner, I met countless students who were talented, motivated, and ready to succeed but unsure of what came next after graduation,” said Union County Commissioner Stanley J. Neron. “Not every young person follows a traditional path, and opportunities like this can make all the difference. Natasha Davis and The BLOC Foundation recognized that need and created a program that removes barriers and provides a clear pathway into a professional field. I am proud to help support this initiative because every young person deserves the chance to pursue a meaningful career, build financial independence, and realize their full potential.”

The BLOC Foundation works to revitalize urban communities through affordable housing development, workforce training, and economic mobility programs, creating pathways for women, minorities, young adults, and underserved populations to build long-term stability and success. Founder Natasha Davis is a Licensed General Contractor who has devoted her time to creating a 100 percent, minority-owned real estate construction and investment firm—and through her work, has made homeownership and real estate investment opportunities accessible to historically marginalized and under-resourced individuals.

Exodus Real Estate Academy is dedicated to thoroughly preparing each student for success in the New Jersey real estate license examination through interactive discussion and exposure to real-world scenarios, emphasizing practical learning and aiming to prepare future referral agents, salespersons and brokers to face the challenges of the real estate industry. Samantha Lamptey is the Founder of Exodus Real Estate and Exodus Real Estate Academy, and Co-Founder of Exodus Development, Exodus Construction and Exodus Architectural Woodwork, all based in Short Hills, NJ. Driven by a passion for design, innovation, and community impact, she built the Exodus family of companies with her husband, Selassie Lamptey, to create opportunities through real estate, architecture, construction, development and architectural woodwork. 

To register for the program, visit https://bit.ly/ucnjrealestateclass today. For additional information, please email Natasha Davis at natasha@theblocfoundation.org.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that a new collection of artworks, created by students from Inroads to Opportunities, is now on display at the Commissioners Gallery, located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. Visitors can see the exhibit for free during gallery hours, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through July 31, 2026.

“Inroads to Opportunities students have done an amazing job in putting together for us a colorful and imaginative collection that art enthusiasts and visitors alike are sure to enjoy. Art knows no bounds or limitations, especially in our uniquely diverse county, and we are proud to showcase that through the lens of these talented artists,” Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “I encourage everyone to take the opportunity and visit the exhibit.”

This art program is made possible by a HEART Grant (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) from the Union County Board of County Commissioners. HEART grants serve as a way to strengthen Union County’s non-profit organizations, artists and scholars so they can provide innovative projects related to the arts, humanities, and history.

“Through the HEART grant, we are proud to continue supporting organizations like Inroads to Opportunities in developing quality programming that enables residents of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to reach their greatest potential and enjoy a fulfilling life – one with strong community roots and with access to creative outlets that allow them to build confidence, discover new talents, and make their mark in the history we are shaping together,” said Commissioner Rebecca L.Williams, Liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board.

Inroads to Opportunities, a not-for-profit organization, provides an environment where individuals with disabilities can develop and become productive and employable. Making works of art provides a therapeutic and creative outlet for the participants. The artists share their inner talents using a wide range of media, such as acrylic, watercolor, crayon, pastel, pen, and pencil. The center started this art program in 2003 and continues to achieve great success.

The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, part of the Department of Parks and Recreation, coordinates the exhibits displayed at the Commissioners Gallery. For further information about this and other programs and services related to the arts and history in Union County, please contact the Office by telephone at 908-558-2550 (NJ relay users dial 711), email at culturalinfo@ucnj.org, or in person at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County’s 4-H Master Tree Stewards recently celebrated a successful season of environmental education, reaching more than 2,750 fourth-grade students across Union County during the winter and spring of 2026.

The Master Tree Steward program is made up of dedicated volunteers who receive specialized training through Rutgers Cooperative Extension and then bring their knowledge directly into local classrooms. Throughout the school year, Tree Stewards presented engaging, one-hour lessons designed to teach students about the importance of trees, environmental stewardship, and the role trees play in maintaining healthy communities.

“The commitment of our Master Tree Stewards helps inspire the next generation to appreciate and care for the environment around them,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph Bodek. “By bringing these lessons into classrooms throughout Union County, our volunteers are helping students develop a deeper understanding of the natural world and the importance of protecting it.”

The program provides fourth-grade students with hands-on learning opportunities that connect classroom education with real-world environmental issues, encouraging curiosity and fostering a greater appreciation for local natural resources.

Individuals interested in becoming a Master Tree Steward are encouraged to apply for the next training program, which begins in September. Volunteers receive comprehensive training and have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by educating young people throughout Union County.

For more information about the Master Tree Steward Program or volunteer opportunities, contact 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.