Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen joined State Senator Nicholas Scutari, Acting Union County Prosecutor Michael Monahan, Union County Police Chief Chris Debbie, Union County Undersheriff Amilcar Colon, Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran, Friends of the Union County Child Advocacy Center President Drew Ertman and Union County Assistant Prosecutor Lyndsay Ruotolo at the 4th annual Race 4 the Children 5K Fundraiser in Warinanco Park in Roselle.
 
All proceeds benefit the Child Advocacy Center of Union County. The event is co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the City of Elizabeth. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Joins Counties of Gloucester, Hudson, Camden, Middlesex, Essex and Mercer, and Wall Township, in Calling for Timely Passage of Statewide Legislation

Union County Freeholders Bruce H. Bergen and Mohamed S. Jalloh joined Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Union County Surrogate James LaCorte in congratulating the top winners of the 2018 “My County” poster contest sponsored by the Union County Constitutional Officers.

The top four winners of the contest are (from left): Ethan Lopes Moreira (1st place) from Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy in Elizabeth, Magda Wlodarski (2nd place) from St. Michael Elementary School in Cranford, Milani Washington (3rd place) from St. John the Apostle Elementary School in Clark and Rosa Rocio (4th place) from the Ronald Regan Elementary School No. 30 in Elizabeth.

More than 200 fourth grade students from schools throughout Union County entered the contest. Twelve winners in total will have their artwork featured in a poster calendar.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Youth Employment Pathways Program (YEPP)—a pilot program that is a partnership between the Union County Freeholder Board and the United Way of Greater Union County, has put 60 at-risk youth to work part-time in various industries throughout Union County starting this week through June.

“YEPP is designed to assist in school and out of school youth between the ages of 14-24 with the necessary tools they’ll need in order to successfully graduate high school and/or secure employment,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Freeholder Board is proud to be sponsoring this program through United Way, and we look forward to continuing a more expansive jobs program for at least 200 more youth later this year once the pilot is complete.”

James W. Horne, Jr., President and CEO of United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC), added: “The United Way is working in collaboration with the Freeholder Board, non-profit agencies through the County, and our private sector partners to provide training and on-the-job experience to those who might otherwise lack access to these opportunities. The program is geared to helping disadvantaged youth achieve their goals and work toward obtaining credential certifications, enter higher education and/or secure employment.”

UWGUC was awarded a federal Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Workforce Development Board to implement YEPP. Non- profit agencies and private sector businesses recruited the youth, who were at-risk, financially disadvantaged or parenting teens– from various communities for the program.

Freeholder Chairman Granados added:

“We will continue to find new employment opportunities for our residents. Last year we provided over 2,500 opportunities through our Workforce Innovation Business Center, but this year we wanted to put an additional focus on helping to empower and employ at-risk-youth in our communities. As someone who grew up in an urban area, I strongly feel that if we had more of these types of opportunities, some of the people I grew up with wouldn’t have gone down a troubled path.”

The program provided training as needed, and part-time jobs (15-hours a week), pay was between $10-

$15 an hour, in various industries, including government, non-profits, and jobs in the private sector, including the retail and construction industries.

The non-profit agencies that UWGUC partnered with included:

• Community Access Unlimited
• Communities in Cooperation, Inc.
• Elizabeth Housing Authority
• Urban League of Union County, Inc.,
• Proceed, Inc.
• Second Street Youth Center
• HomeFirst, Inc.
• Plainfield Housing Authority
• Workforce Advantage Inc.
• YMCA

Information regarding the YEPP can be found on the United Way website at https://www.uwguc.org/yepp,or by calling 908-353-7171.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite visitors of all ages to meet live animals, celebrate wildlife, learn about environmental conservation and try some outdoor skills at the annual Wild Earth Fest.     You won’t want to miss this exciting and educational event hosted by Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Sunday, April 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.

“The Wild Earth Fest event is an entertaining way for visitors to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, “There is something for everyone at this special event in Union County’s largest park, the Watchung Reservation.”

New this year, the Atlantic City Aquarium will bring their spectacular traveling touch tank exhibit.  Sea and touch a variety of sea life, including, starfish, sea urchins, stingrays, horseshoe crabs and more!  Visitors are invited to learn about outdoor skills including camping, canoeing, hiking, archery, birding and nature photography.  Participants can try the 24’ rock climbing wall or go on a hike with Tri-State Ramblers at 2:00 p.m.  Swift Farms Petting Zoo will join us this year with a miniature pony, lambs, goats, baby chickens, rabbits and more.

The performance lineup includes “Rizzo’s Reptile Discovery,” featured at noon and 3:30 p.m.  Prepare to laugh out loud as you experience the excitement of the reptile world.   Live mammals from around the world are introduced in “Mammal Mania” at 1:30 p.m.  The Wallaby Tales Traveling Zoo uses the life stories of each unique animal, their often humorous personality, fun facts and anecdotes to focus on animal behaviors and adaptations.  Vinnie Reo and his live wolf from Wolf Visions, will dispel the myths of the “Big Bad Wolf” and explain their role in keeping a balanced ecosystem at 1:00 & 2:30 p.m.  Throughout the afternoon, Magician Bill Kerwood will perform “Strolling Comedy and Magic” to entertain and delight young and old.  This unique and engaging variety show, sponsored by Union County Clean Communities, takes a magical look at the importance of recycling.

Live music performed by NRG Acoustic will highlight this year’s event.  Performing a mix of classic rock, pop, blues and country from the 1960’s to today, this popular band has been on the New Jersey cover scene since the 1980’s.  Throughout the day, food trucks, snacks and beverages will be available. Recycling Olympics, Eco-Art and face painting will round out this year’s children’s activities. 

Exhibitors include NJ Audubon Society, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Rizzo’s Wildlife World, USDA Wildlife Services, NJ Forestry Association, Toadshade Wildflower Farm,

NJ State Park Service, NJ Native Plant Society, Wild Birds Unlimited, Tri-state Ramblers, Hidden Pastures Alpaca Farm, NJ Forest Fire Service, Friends of the Great Swamp, Union County Master Gardeners, 4-H Master Tree Stewards, American Chestnut Foundation, NJ Department of Agriculture and more.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Trailside Museum Association will recognize and honor the environmental heroes in our community when they announce the winners of the Environmental Hero Awards at 2:00 p.m.  

Admission is $5 per person; children 6 years and younger are free. Admission includes entrance to the “Touch A Truck” event being held concurrently in the Watchung Reservation lower loop parking lot.  No pets will be permitted to these events.

For more information about “Wild Earth Fest” or upcoming programs and events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders joined with members of The Arc of Union County, Community Access Unlimited, Elizabeth Parent Support Group and High Expectations Inc. as they proclaimed April 2018 as Autism Awareness Month throughout the County of Union. The Freeholders also commended the organizations for their efforts educating people about the issues surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the resources and support services available to people in Union County and the region with Autism.

The Freeholders were joined by Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, Union County Manager Ed Oatman, Union County Department of Human Services Director Debbie-Ann Anderson, Assistant Director Karen Dinsmore and Manuel Ramirez and Nicole DeAugustine from the Union County Office for People with Special Needs.

(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Alexander Mirabella present a resolution to NJ Sharing Network Foundation Trustee Elizabeth Stamler proclaiming the month of April 2018 as National Donate Life Month throughout the County of Union and further encouraging the support of organ and tissue donation and transplant education. The NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for those in need of a life-saving transplant. For more information about the organization visit www.njsharingnetwork.org. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)