Author: Web Site Administrator

WIn fulfillment of  Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen’s “UCHERO” initiative assisting Veterans, collections are being taken up at five different County Government locations for Backpacks for Life, a New Jersey-based non-profit that assists Veterans in need, and the public is welcome to make a donation.

 “There are many Veterans out there who are having trouble making ends meet and need our assistance,” said Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen. “We hope this collection helps in some small way to help make things better.”

Brett D’Alessandro, the founder of the New Jersey-based Backpacks for Life, thanked the County for setting up the donation effort.

“People tend to overlook homeless Veterans and stigmatize them and all homeless in general,” D’Alessandro said. “I created this organization to help our Veterans. At one point in my life, I needed help too, and I am living proof that a little bit of help can go a long way in turning a life around.”

D’Alessandro, a United States Marine Corps Sergeant and New Jersey native, founded Backpacks for Life after coming home from service in Afghanistan, and seeing a homeless man holding a sign that said “Vietnam Veteran.”

“I couldn’t help but think of that man for the rest of the day,” he said. Later that afternoon, D’Alessandro returned after filling his backpack from his tour with warming layers, socks and t-shirts. He went back to find the man and gave him the backpack. The next morning on his way into work, D’Alessandro saw the man, but this time with a small child wearing the backpack proudly.

“I stopped to say hello and the homeless man explained to me that his wife had become very sick and the warming layers were helping her tremendously. It was in this moment that I knew I wanted to help others get back on their feet and give them a second chance at life,” D’Alessandro said.

Collection bins/boxes are at the following County Government locations and accessible during normal business hours:

*Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth—first floor elevator area. ( 9 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F)

*Prosecutor’s Office, 32 Rahway Avenue, Elizabeth— first floor lobby. (9 a.m.-5 p.m.,  M-F)

*County Courthouse—alley entry (before cafeteria, M-F, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).

*County Clerk’s Office, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield—Office area (M,W,F 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues, Thurs 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.)

*County Police 300 North Avenue East, (24 HOUR COLLECTION SITE)—Lobby area.

The following items below are being requested as donations:

• Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
• Baby Wipes
• Soap Bars/Body Wash
• Shampoo
•            Hand Sanitizer
• Deodorant
• Lotion
• Body Powder
• Pocket Tissues
• Socks, Hats & Gloves
• Travel Size First Aid Kit
• Ponchos

Backpacks For Life is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit that aims to provide veterans, those who are homeless or who cannot provide for themselves and their families, with the basic life necessities. They’re building backpacks full of daily essentials and other resources to help get homeless veterans back on their feet.

With each backpack, they aim to not only provide homeless veterans with the things they need for daily living but also, give them hope and resources for the future.

Backpacks For Life was founded by Verona resident and USMC Sgt. Brett D’Alessandro.

For more information, please go towww.backpacksforlife.org or about the County collection, contact Sebastian D’Elia atsdelia@ucnj.org or 908-527-4419.

Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak presents Donald Givens with a resolution congratulating him on being named the 2016 Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year by the Linden Department of Public Property and Community Services during the city’s 57th annual Senior Citizen Day ceremony at the John T. Gregorio Recreation Center in Linden.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that two free workshops on Thursday evening, May 19, will explain the application process for the 2016 Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant Program and the 2017 Local Arts Grant Program. Both workshops will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Liberty Hall Museum, Wagon Shed Building, 1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083. The workshops are free of charge, but pre-registration is suggested.

The application process for a 2016 HEART grant for projects related to local history, the arts and humanities will be explained at the workshop for Union County non-profit organizations, individual artists and scholars.

“The response to the HEART Grant Program in past years has been exciting,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The recipients are a wonderful mix of creative individuals – poets and writers, historians, painters, photographers, musicians and dancers – plus arts, history and other cultural organizations and civic groups. Services they provide directly benefit the residents of Union County and increase appreciation for the arts, our history, and the humanities.”

The other workshop will provide guidelines for completing applications for the Union County 2017 Local Arts Grant Program. Funds for this program are made available through the New Jersey Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner of the National Endowment for the Arts. Local arts activities taking place between January 1 and December 31, 2017, are eligible for consideration.

“Non-profit groups and arts organizations in search of funding need well-constructed grant proposals,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “This workshop will discuss the components of a successful application, including a description of the project, the budget and the marketing plan.”

For additional information or to register for the HEART Grant workshop or the Local Arts Grant Program workshop, 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 E-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

Photos from the 15th Annual Union County Employee Art Show at 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 24, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.

Professional Category

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright congratulate Richard Earl of Westfield on winning first place in the professional category.

Best of Show

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright congratulate Michael Endy of Westfield on winning Best of Show.

First Place, Amateur Category

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright congratulate Ryan Frees of Clark on winning first place in the amateur category.

First Place, Youth (12 and under) Category

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright congratulate Diego Otero of Scotch Plains on winning first place in the youth (12 and under) category.

Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces the first “History Paint Night Social” where participants will be provided with painting materials and artistic instruction on a particular historical scene from the Union County area. Participants will be able to take their art work home with them. The program is sponsored by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation.

The History Paint Night Social will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, at the historic Snyder Academy in Elizabeth, where one of our Country’s Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton, attended school. The instructor for the evening event will be Rafael Rodriguez, the Artist in Residence at the Snyder Academy.

“The purpose of the History Paint Night Social is to encourage adults to learn about Union County history and basic painting techniques in a relaxed social setting,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “The historic Snyder Academy is a wonderful setting for the blending of history and art education.”

There is a cost of $20.00 for each participant. Please feel free to bring your own wine and snacks for your enjoyment.

Admission to the History Paint Night Social is on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited, so you are encouraged to register in advance. To confirm your attendance at the May 17^th event or to receive more information, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202. Telephone: 908-436-2912. Or send E-mail requests to jprescott@ucnj.org.

Funding for this program is made available through the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.

Family Services Town Hall at Ronald Reagan Academy will bring together young adults with autism, families, adult service providers and state resources as they prepare to transition into adulthood.

What

Co-sponsored by Autism Speaks and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, and hosted in partnership with Union County, City of Elizabeth, Elizabeth Public School District, Elizabeth Board of Education, and Moving New Jersey Forward Foundation, the goal of the Family Services Town Hall is to bring together young adults with autism, families, adult service providers and state resources in a positive and collaborative atmosphere.

This town hall will focus on the transition of young adults on the autism spectrum from adolescence into adulthood. The guiding principle is simple: we believe that all individuals with autism, regardless of the level of support needed, should be able to live fulfilling lives with purpose, dignity, and happiness.

The panel will include advocates, experts and service providers, all of whom are educated and knowledgeable about adult autism services in New Jersey. The goal is to provide attendees with the opportunity to explore the supports available to them, and develop an individualized plan to suit his/her needs. The Resource Fair will include agencies that provide services for young adults and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, not limited solely to transition.

Who

Sponsors:

• Autism Speaks
• U.S. Senator Bob Menendez

Panelists:

• Autism Speaks (New York, New York)
• EPIC Schools (Paramus, New Jersey)
• Trinitas Regional Medical Center (Elizabeth, New Jersey)
• New York Life (New York, New York)
• Division of Developmental Disabilities (Hamilton, New Jersey)
• Elizabeth Board of Education – Moderator (Elizabeth, New Jersey)

 When

Saturday, May 7, 2016

9:15 am Registration | 9:30 am Panel Discussion and Q&A | 11:30am Resource Fair

Where

Ronald Reagan Academy | School No. 30

 730 Pennsylvania Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07201

Why

The transition from school-aged supports into adulthood can be challenging for people with autism and other disabilities. In the U.S., an estimated 50,000 youth with autism leave high school each year, but many are unprepared to find suitable housing, employment, or post-secondary options. At Autism Speaks, our goal is to provide individuals with autism and their families with all the tools they need throughout the lifespan. Transition planning, which includes all facets of a young adult’s life, needs to be dynamic and begin early in adolescence. Adults living with autism often have difficulty finding information about programs and supports that would allow them to live as independently as possible. Transition will be different for each family, but the goal remains the same: for every person with autism to lead a fulfilling, healthy, and happy life.

About Autism

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, and repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 68 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $570 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 70 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.AutismSpeaks.org.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski joined Toni Ann Turco and Rich Errico, co-founders of Home for Good Dog Rescue, and Jack the dog in Nomahegan Park in Cranford for the group’s the 5K Run and 5K Doggy Dash.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders co-sponsored the event supporting the Berkeley Heights-based non-profit organization which works to save dogs from high-kill shelters, and place them in loving homes.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that the next mobile paper-shredding program for personal, confidential documents will visit New Providence on Saturday, May 14.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft by providing a convenient way to shred your confidential documents,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “It promotes our County recycling efforts and ties in with Union County’s other Green Initiatives.”

The May 14^th shredding event will take place at the Alcatel-Lucent facility, 600 Mountain Avenue in New Providence. NEXCUT Shredding of Elizabeth will be shredding personal documents from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. This is a garbage-free event so please bring your documents in paper bags if at all possible. Plastic bags and boxes will be returned. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place Saturday, June 4^th at Union County College in Cranford.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .

Become a 4-H volunteer today and help create life-changing experiences for youth in your community. Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is seeking an adult volunteer leader for their 4-H Anime Club.

“Volunteers, parents, and other adults are a valued and essential part of the 4-H program and have a profound impact on the 4-H youth members – guiding them as they connect with their community, and develop leadership and organizational skills,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support 4-H and its guiding principles of thoughtfulness, community service and healthy living.”

Union County’s 4-H Anime Club meets on the meets on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at the Collen Fraser Building in Westfield from 4 to 6 p.m. Students explore anime, manga, and Japanese culture. Club activities include: watching and critique anime, presentations and contests, discussion groups, and community service events.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Program provides training for adult leaders and curriculum materials. The current leader of the Union County 4-H Anime Club is available to assist in the training of the next leader. For more information or to apply for the adult volunteer leader for the Union County 4-H Anime Club position please contact Jim Nichnadowicz, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent at 908-654-9854 or email him at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

Union County 4-H Clubs are run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. The clubs belong to a 100-year American tradition established by the U.S Department of Agriculture by an Act of Congress, originally meant to help rural communities connect with useful information about agriculture and family health.

Over the years, 4-H has kept pace with the shift to urban and suburban life, using popular activities to help youngsters to engage in civic affairs and develop related skills such as teamwork and public speaking.

In Union County, the current 4-H slate includes modern clubs like Anime, Lego Robotics, S.T.E.M. and Fashion Design. The program also offers traditional favorites such as horticulture, cooking and archery. Students can also join a Variety Club and explore topics of their own creation. For older students, 4-H offers membership in the Community Service Club, which plans and conducts community service programs throughout Union County.

For more information about Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and the Union County 4-H clubs visit ucnj.org/rce or call 908-654-9854.

Preferred Current Lifeguard/CPR/AED/First Aid Certification (training if requirements met)

Please Contact 908-298-7849 Monday – Friday 9:00am – 3:30pm or e-mail warinanco@ucnj.org

 

Season Runs June 25th – September 5th  

$11.00 Per Hour