Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella joined Union County baseball legend and Westfield native Jeff Torborg at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside to observe progress being made on a ballfield being named in his honor. Torborg, a former Major League player and standout at Westfield High School, also went on to serve as the manager for numerous teams, including the Cleveland Indians, the Chicago White Sox, the New York Mets, the Montreal Expos and the Florida Marlins. He also served as a coach with the Yankees. The field is expected to completed by early Fall, when a dedication event will be held. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ — A hardworking group of employees from BASF in Florham Park volunteered their time to help restore part of a hiking trail in Union County’s Watchung Reservation in June.

“I would like to thank this group of volunteers on behalf of the Freeholder Board for their hard work and generous donations to the Adopt-a-Park program,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, who stopped by to participate in the project. “Volunteers play an important role in maintaining our rustic trails for all to enjoy, and we appreciate all of their efforts.”

As participants in the Union County Adopt-A-Park program, the group from BASF braved severe heat to clear drainage ditches and cut back vegetation along the trail. They also donated $200.00 in tools to the program and they pitched in for a $300.00 donation in cash, too.

Any individual or group can join Adopt-a-Park and help with trail restoration, nature conservation, and other projects in Union County parks. For more information, visit ucnj.org or call 908-789-3683.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and volunteer activities visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.

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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 Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholders Rebecca Williams, Angela R. Garretson, Sergio Granados, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Christopher Hudak and Andrea Staten joined Union County employees today marching in the annual Plainfield 4th of July parade. Happy Independence Day from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

For immediate release July 1, 2019

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the launch of a new program to help combat substance use, reduce overdose deaths and reduce relapses in Union County. Called Union County Helping Hands 365 (UCHH365), the program is designed to improve access to treatment and support services by connecting addicts with peers who have achieved sobriety and are trained to help others.
Funding for the new program was approved during the regular meeting of the Freeholder Board on Thursday, June 27.
“Receiving trained, professional guidance from someone who has lived through the experience of addiction can make an enormous difference in an individual’s ability to recover, and to avoid relapse over the long term,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.
“The Peer Recovery Specialists are trained to leverage their personal experiences, build trust, and help each individual connect with resources that enable them to turn their lives around,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak, who sponsored the Freeholder Resolution establishing the program.
The local non-profit organization Prevention Links will implement the new program. Additional features of UCHH365 include:
• Weekly support for three months and bi-weekly support thereafter, for a total of up to six months.
• A 24/7 Hotline staffed by Peer Recovery Specialists will be available.
• Outreach and education for local community leaders, enabling Recovery Specialists to respond to referrals and visit persons seeking help in a familiar environment, including places of worship, community centers, social clubs and nonprofit agencies.
• Training for law enforcement so that individuals may be referred by law enforcement to the UCHH365 program.
• On call coverage at designated locations in communities with the greatest rate of overdose (Cranford, Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway, Union) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 24 hours per day between the hours of 8:00 p.m. Thursday through 8:00 p.m. Sunday.
• Transportation assistance for persons going into treatment.
The program will serve at least 250 Union County residents before the end of 2019. Any Union County resident over the age of 18 is eligible to seek help through UCHH365.
The program will serve at least 250 Union County residents by the end of 2019. Any Union County resident over the age of 18 is eligible to seek help through UCHH365.
To reach the UCHH365 Hotline or to contact Prevention Links for more details about the program, call Prevention Links at1-855-825-3275

Union County, NJ – Union County residents seeking reliable information about services for adults age 60 and older will have a choice of eight (8) dates and locations in July to speak with staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging. Staff will be present at public libraries in Elizabeth; Clark; Cranford; Garwood; Mountainside; Summit; Union; and at the Rahway Senior Center.

“The purpose of “ASK” is to help residents obtain government programs and services available to seniors and their caregivers”, said Bette Jane Kowalski, Chair of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “The ASK program will bring our knowledgeable, experienced Division on Aging staff, based in Elizabeth, to locations throughout Union County to make it easier for residents to get expert assistance close to home.”

Staff from the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection/ADRC have been traveling throughout Union County providing information about services such as home delivered meals; respite care; home care; adult day care; and, support services for caregivers through the Aging Services Kiosk or ASK community outreach effort. Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

The July 2019 dates and locations are:

Monday, July 8
Elizabeth Public Library – LaCorte Branch
418 Palmer Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07202
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Wednesday, July 10
Cranford Public Library
224 Walnut Avenue
Cranford, NJ 07016
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Thursday, July 11
Rahway Senior Center
1306 Esterbrook Avenue
Rahway, NJ 07065
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Monday, July 15
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, NJ 07066
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Thursday, July 18
Garwood Public Library
411 Third Avenue
Garwood, NJ 07027
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Friday, July 19
Mountainside Public Library
Constitution Plaza
Mountainside, NJ 07092
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Monday, July 29
Summit Public Library
75 Maple Street
Summit, NJ 07901
10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Tuesday, July 30
Union Public Library
1980 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
11:30 am to 1:30 pm

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection’s (ADRC) goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act. The division has information printed in both English and Spanish and has Spanish speaking staff.

For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: 1-888-280-8226, or 908-527- 4870 or 4858. Spanish speakers may call 908-527-4863. Information may be viewed on the Union County government website at www.ucnj.org.

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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