Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholders Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and Christopher Hudak joined Union County Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner and Deana Mesaros of the Union County Department of Economic Development in welcoming corporate trainer Lena Cohen as the featured speaker at the third annual Union County Means Business Networking Breakfast, “Building Better Business Relationships,” at Kean University Building, in Union.

Lena Cohen is an internationally known and requested TED speaker, decorated community activist, sought after executive coach, and author of two life changing books, Stop, Drop, and Roll and EQ and You.

Union County Means Business is an initiative of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, designed to connect the local business community with hands-on guidance and resources for growth. For more information on UCMB programs, visit ucnj.org/ucmb or contact Dean Mesaros by phone at 908-659-7412 or by email at dmesaros@ucnj.org.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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

“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 March 2019 dates and locations are:

Monday, March 4
Elizabeth Public Library – LaCorte Branch
Bi-lingual staff will be available at this site
418 Palmer Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07202
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Thursday, March 7
Rahway Senior Center
Bi-lingual staff will be available at this site
1308 Esterbrook Avenue
Rahway, 07065
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Friday, March 8
Plainfield Public Library
800 Park Avenue
Plainfield, 07060
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Wednesday, March 13
Cranford Public Library
224 Walnut Street
Cranford, 07016
10:00 a.m. – 12 noon

Friday, March 15
Mountainside Public Library
Constitution Plaza
Mountainside, 07092
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Monday, March 18
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, 07066
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Thursday, March 21
Garwood Public Library
411 Third Avenue
Garwood, 07027
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Monday, March 25
Summit Public Library
75 Maple Street
Summit, 07901
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 pm

All Union County residents are welcome to attend any of these ASK events.

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.

“The Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) model, a state initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012, is designed to improve service for seniors and the disabled,” said Freeholder Chair Kowalski. “These services can enable seniors and the disabled to remain in their homes and communities.”

Check for the upcoming schedule of stops for an ASK kiosk coming near you as dates and locations are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: 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. 

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholders Sergio Granados and Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded joined Union County Baseball Association President Jim Iozzi and NY Yankees/Mets player Willie Randolph in congratulating the new members inducted into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame during the 83rd Annual Union County Baseball Association Hot Stove Awards Dinner in Clark. Willie Randolph was the guest speaker.

The four new inductees into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame include: Rich Biddulph of Roselle, Walter Podgurski (not pictured) of Union, Chris Roof of Berkeley Heights and Scotch Plains, and Tom Urban of Elizabeth.

The awards dinner is sponsored by the Union County Baseball Association, in cooperation with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. Since 1937, the Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner has been the primary fund-raiser for the UCBA’s summer and fall programs for young ballplayers. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Angela R. Garretson, Rebecca Williams, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and Andrea Staten joined New Jersey State Senator Nicholas Scutari in presenting lifelong Linden resident Monty Brooks with the seventh annual Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award during the County’s Black History Month celebration at the historic Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.

The Humanitarian Award was created by the Freeholder Board in honor of the late former Freeholder Chester Holmes, who was known for his lifelong dedication to community service. Mr. Brooks is the first resident of Linden to receive the award.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Angela R. Garretson, Andrea Staten and Rebecca Williams present resolutions to representatives from the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, Iris House and PROCEED Inc. recognizing February 7, 2019 as “National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.” The day is an important opportunity to increase awareness about HIV among people of color and to empower everyone in the community to play a role in stopping HIV stigma, and support members of the community to seek HIV testing, prevention and treatment option. The Freeholder Board further commends the efforts of these organizations in supporting National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Union County Office on Women is presenting a free yoga, meditation class and emotional wellness event: “International Women’s Day – The Time is Now,” which will take place on Friday, March 8th, at 6 p.m., at Maskers Barn in the historic Deserted Village of Feltville. The event is open to all, from beginners to experienced practitioners.

“The Union County Office on Women’s main priority is to make sure that all women have the resources to become the best they can be,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “We would like to ensure that residents are able to engage in activities that may spark new interest as well as encourage a positive life style.”

The evening includes:

• A short talk and introduction as well as time to network.
• Yoga session by Nicole DeAugustine, certified yoga instructor.
• Guided meditation by Betsy Sanders, certified yoga instructor

Attendees should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for yoga, and bring their own yoga mats. “Union County Women’s Empowerment, Yoga and Meditation” is open to ages 16 and older. The event is free but space is limited. Pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/women.

The Deserted Village is located in the Berkeley Heights section of Union County’s Watchung Reservation. Masker’s Barn is a fully renovated 19th century building located at 9 Cataract Hollow Road in the Deserted Village, off Glenside Avenue.

The Office on Women was created in 2016. As the first county-based office of its kind in New Jersey, the Office on Women aims to help ensure that women connect with services and programs that enable them to reach their full potential at every stage of their lives, in education, in employment and business, health and in the social fabric of Union County, and to raise awareness of the many contributions that women make to life in Union County.

For additional details contact Jennifer Erdos, Union County Office on Women at jerdos@ucnj.org.