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Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Christopher Hudak, Bruce Bergen and Alexander Mirabella congratulate Jeffery Gonzalez of Elizabeth, who graduated Union County Vocational-Technical Schools’ Magnet High School, as NJAC Executive Director John G. Donnadio presents the student with a New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) – Investors Bank scholarship check. They were joined by UCVTS Superintendent of Schools Peter A. Capodice. During the past seven years, the NJAC Foundation has awarded over $243,000.00 in scholarships to hardworking county vocational-technical school graduates who plan to continue their education at a county or state college. Gonzalez will be attending Rutgers University. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Angela R. Garretson and Christopher Hudak joined Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage in cutting the ribbon officially opening Phase II of the Elizabeth River Trail. They were joined by Elizabeth Council members Manny Grova, Frank Mazza and Patricia Perkins-Auguste, Groundwork Elizabeth Executive Director Jonathan Phillips and Alane McCahey of the Gateway Family YMCA. The Union County Open Space Trust Fund has contributed $500,000 for both Phase I and Phase II of the project. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli joined Undersheriffs Dennis Burke, Mickey Colon and Jonathan Parham in congratulating the graduates of the 2018 Union County Sheriff’s Youth Police Academy during a ceremony at the Rahway High School Performing Arts Center. More than 100 middle and high school students from throughout Union County graduated this year’s program.

Recruits in the youth academy received hands-on experience in a wide variety of emergency services and law enforcement functions and training. During the program, the teens engaged in physical training, attended lectures and through class trips and visits by guest speakers, the recruits met with representatives from several law enforcement agencies.

Sheriff Corvelli also thanks the instructors and the law enforcement agencies who were involving in make the 11th Union County Sheriff’s Youth Academy a success.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Angel G. Estrada and Alexander Mirabella joined Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenamin, Union County College Board of Trustees Chairman Victor Richel and Elizabeth Campus Dean Dr. Lester Sandres Rapalo in cutting the ribbon official reopening the ground floor and lower level of the Lessner Building after a major renovation project on the Elizabeth campus.  Elizabeth Councilman Manny Grova and Elizabeth Board of Education Commissioner Stanley Neron also attended the event. 

The College now offers a comprehensive Student Services Center, visible from the street, welcoming all students and prospective students through its doors. Downstairs, the new Center for Economic and Workforce Development was designed to better serve adult vocational/educational learners in the County.

The Prosecutor’s Office has joined forces with four municipal police departments to host the inaugural Summer Slam youth basketball tournament, marking the launch of a new initiative intended to connect local student-athletes with representatives of local law enforcement in fun, engaging ways, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan jointly announced Tuesday along with Elizabeth Police Chief John Brennan, Hillside Police Chief Vincent Ricciardi, Linden Police Chief David Hart, and Plainfield Police Director Carl Riley.

The tournament is scheduled to take place 6 p.m. this Friday, August 3 at Elizabeth’s Dunn Center, with teams of fifth- and sixth-graders from Elizabeth, Hillside, Linden, and Plainfield facing off in a pair of first-round games, followed by a championship contest and a third-place contest, also to be played simultaneously. Coaching the four teams will be detectives and other sworn members of the police departments in those municipalities.

The tournament is open to the public and free to attend.

“We’d like to see plenty of spectators in the stands rooting on our young athletes,” Prosecutor Monahan said. “We are all excited to see some great action, and fully anticipate that this event will grow to become something people look forward to all year.”

The tournament is expected to be expanded to include additional teams in coming years, eventually involving young athletes from as many Union County municipalities as possible.

The Dunn Center facilities are being made available for the tournament courtesy of Elizabeth Public Schools and Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer, with players afforded the opportunity to play in one of the state’s marquee high-school basketball venues. The four teams practiced there together earlier this month, with retired Prosecutor’s Office Lt. Abdel Anderson – the “sixth man” on the Rutgers University men’s basketball team’s 1976 Final Four club – leading drills.

Press Release from the United Way

Partnership with Freeholders includes new summer employment program as part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’s “Moving Union County Forward” youth engagement initiative;  and widens involvement with nonprofit agencies, educational institutions and local businesses.

United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) has partnered with the Union County Freeholder Board to create 200 jobs for youth. 

Summer employment has already been established and secured in industries such as information technology, hospitality, construction, health sciences and retail.  “By providing these job opportunities and training, we are assisting our youth with the opportunity to gain experience in a job sector they may choose as a career while also receiving financial compensation in the future,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Freeholder Board is proud to be sponsoring this program through United Way and we look forward to continuing this in the future.” 

This program, known as the Youth Employment Pathways Program (YEPP) is designed to help youth secure employment, attend college and/or obtain occupational certifications. In the first part of the program sponsored by the Freeholder Board, the jobs initiative assisted 60 youths in the Spring to find employment. 

YEPP is funded by a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant, and to continue coordination of the Youth Employment and Training Consortium (YETC).

YEPP provides services year-round and is designed to ensure youth, both in school and out of school and, who are between the ages of 14-24, are provided with the resources they’ll need to meet career goals and on-the-job training experience. “We are happy to continue this initiative of bringing together all of our resources to strengthen our community and to help young people reach their goals” said James Horne, President and CEO at United Way of Greater Union County.  “Our work to help strengthen Union County includes youth employment services that help give young people real-world opportunities to learn and grow”.  The YEPP 

UWGUC works with nonprofit agencies, educational institutions and local businesses to ensure youth obtain and gain access to employment opportunities in Union County that will make them marketable in a competitive labor force. The program includes career planning, education and training and work experience.

Agencies located across Union County included in the YETC are: the Urban League of Union County, Community Access Unlimited, Plainfield Action Services, Homefirst, Inc., the Elizabeth and Plainfield School Districts, the Plainfield Library, Second Street Youth Center, the Arc of Union County, E’town Housing and Community Development Corp, Workforce Advantage and the Union County American Job Center. 

For more information about YEPP, please visit uwguc.org/yepp or call 908.353.7171.

About United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) United Way of Greater Union County provides critical resources to children and families in need throughout greater Union County, North Plainfield and South Plainfield.  The organization works to improve lives and build strong communities, by focusing on key areas in education, income stability, health and family strengthening. UWGUC is a pre-eminent community-based leader, partner and investment choice in these communities.  More information about United Way of Greater Union County’s work in the community can be found online at www.uwguc.org.

Union County residents seeking information about services for senior adults age 60 and older can visit the Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) program at four locations in August to speak with staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging.

The ASK schedule in August includes public libraries in Mountainside, Clark, Summit and Union.

“The ASK program brings our expert staff to local communities in order to provide seniors with greater accessibility to personal guidance in a location that is convenient and close to home,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “I encourage any seniors or caregivers who have questions about the resources available to them to make use of this important service.”

Through the ASK community outreach program, staff from the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection travel throughout Union County providing information about services such as home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.

Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

All Union County residents are welcome to attend any ASK event.

The August 2018 dates and locations are:

Friday, August 10
Mountainside Public Library
Constitution Plaza
Mountainside, 07092
11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Monday, August 13
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, 07066
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Monday, August 27
Summit Public Library
75 Maple Street
Summit, 07901
10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Tuesday, August 28
Union Public Library
1980 Morris Avenue
Union, 07083
12:00 noon – 2:00 pm

The goal of the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource connection 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.

Dates and locations of upcoming ASK program stops are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, ucnj.org.

For more information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll free number: 1-888-280-8226, call 908-527-4870 or 908-527-4858, or visit online at ucnj.org.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series shifts to Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Wednesday, August 1, with Jobonanno & the Godsons taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. The Union County Office of Veterans Services will also be on hand with information for veterans as part of “Military Appreciation Night.” The free concert series is presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

“As the summer continues we are delighted to invite everyone to Oak Ridge Park and experience the continuation of this great entertainment series in our parks,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “And to show support for the men and women who serve in our country’s armed forces, the Office of Veterans Services will be on hand to help veterans and military families with who have questions about benefits and services.”

The Union County HEART program, which is part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’ Moving Forward Initiatives for 2018, will also kick off this night, and there will be an information table on hand.

Performing together since 1992, Jobonanno & the Godsons have been electrifying the tristate area’s rock clubs and concert halls with their infectious style of high energy rock and soul music.

Men and women who served in our armed forces will also be recognized throughout the evening. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders have designated the evening “Military Appreciation Night.” The Union County Office of Veterans Services will be on hand with information for veterans and military personnel in areas including eligibility to entitlement, benefits programs and services provided to veterans by various government agencies. A mobile Vet Center will also be on hand. Refreshments under will also be served to veterans under the Veterans Services tent.

While enjoying the wonderful music, refreshments may be purchased from Benito’s Jersey Curbside Eats or Danny’s Soft Serve Ice Cream.  Attendees can also pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the stars.

Once again UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a Union County Freeholder initiative will be part of the Wednesday night pre-concert schedule, with Hot Yoga Revolution presenting a free community class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.  Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in healthy activities for the entire family before the music begins.

Here is a list of the upcoming concerts (All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.):

Oak Ridge Park, Clark

• August 1^st  Jobonanno & the Godsons
• August 8th American Rapture
• August 15th Brother John Brown Band
• August 22th Dead on Live

Please visit www.ucnj.org/summer for more summertime fun activities.