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Chairman Granados announces office as part of initiatives for 2018

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has established the state’s first Office for People with Special Needs, which will promote inclusion, conduct outreach, and provide recreational, educational and social opportunities for residents living with special needs.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados announced the new office as part of his “Moving Union County Forward” initiatives for 2018 in his address during the county’s 162nd Annual Reorganization. The office uses existing manpower and resources, at no additional expense.

“This Freeholder Board is dedicated to promoting equal opportunities and inclusion for all residents, and especially for those living with special needs,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Having volunteered my time extensively within these communities over the years, I am excited by the creation of this office, and I pledge to continue to keep working to ensure that no resident is left behind or unable to pursue their dreams or an opportunity because of a disability or special need.”

The Office will operate under the new Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services.

The creation of the Office for People with Special Needs was immediately hailed by advocates and administrators in the Special Needs community:

“It is tremendous news to hear that Chairman Granados created this office as part of his initiatives and that the Union County Freeholder board is deepening its commitment to serving individuals with disabilities,” said Kaylee McGuire, CTRS, Community Recreation Coordinator, for the Recreational Therapy/Child Life unit at Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside. “We are happy to see the great work that the county does for individuals with disabilities continue, as it provides incredibly meaningful activities, services, and resources. These programs are vital to the health and well-being of our citizens, and provide opportunities for children and adults to be active and engaged members of the community. The County of Union has been a true partner and friend to us at Children’s Specialized Hospital in serving the community, and we are excited about more opportunities to come. ”

Karen Lewicki, Special Olympics Area 5 Director, noted her organization has enjoyed a “strong” relationship with the County and its Parks Department for years and was excited to learn about the creation of the new division.

“They (County) have been more than generous donating facilities for league play and competitions, hosted several events such as Saturday morning Golf Program and offered to run our track meet at Warinanco Park in Roselle,” said Lewicki. “We value our partnership, and believe they provide a much needed service to the special needs community and we hope to continue our relationship as it becomes a more ‘disabilities’ focused organization moving forward.”

The County has provided a strong platform for engagement for special needs residents, especially during the past few years, having broken ground on a Sensory Friendly Trail in the Watchung Reservation that will open later this year, the creation of a new inclusive playground at Mattano Park in 2016, and Granados’ announcement of the Level the Playing Field grant program, as Union County will become the first County in the state to have every municipality build an inclusive playground for children of all abilities. The County also continues to fund “Sensory Friendly” theatre performances at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.

The mission of the Office for People with Special Needs is as follows:

• To provide recreational and social opportunities for residents living with special needs including physical, cognitive and developmental challenges;
• To provide outreach to community groups and organizations to identify needs and interests of persons and families living with special needs as an opportunity to design effective programs;
• To develop additional resources to fund programs targeting engagement of persons living with special needs;
• To identify and implement an effective means of communication to educate community residents on programs and social events available such as yoga, ceramics, zumba, cooking, golf, swimming, sensory friendly theatre shows, a carnival and a barn dance.

The Office for People with Special Needs has already established partnerships with the following agencies/organizations to create programming:

• Special Olympics of New Jersey Area 5 (Union County)
• Children Specialized Hospital (Mountainside)
• New Jersey Devils
• Community Access Unlimited (Elizabeth)
• Kean University (Union)
• Prevention Links (E-Port Community Center)
• Linden Spectrum All-stars
• High Expectations Inc. (Clark)
• Union County Educational Services Commission (Westfield)
• Elizabeth Public Schools
• Elizabeth Parent Support Group
• Inroads to Opportunity (Roselle)
• Jardine Academy/Cerebral Palsy League (Cranford)
• Ashrams for Autism (Yoga national company)
• Summit TryCan
• Elks Eastern Central District (Union County)
• Newark Bait and Fly Casting Club

For more information or to be on the distribution list please email the office at snrec@ucnj.org or call 908-527-4781. Manuel Ramirez is the Coordinator for the office, and Nicole DeAugustine is the Assistant Coordinator.

Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski joined with Human Services Director Debbie-Ann Anderson and Nathalie Hernandez, Coordinator of the Office of Community Engagement and Diversity to thank Elizabeth residents Sima Farid and Alex Mendoza for their donation of 20 cots for the County’s Code Blue operations, which works to get the homeless to shelter during freezing weather.

The donations were coordinated through the County’s Office of Community Engagement and Diversity, which was announced by Chairman Granados during the recent County reorganization as part of his “Moving Union County Forward” initiatives for County government in 2018. The office promotes volunteerism and outreach, and works with other agencies to identify volunteer opportunities, coordinate events, and create a network of volunteer organizations to build relationships with the County’s different communities.  For more information on the office, please email Ms. Hernandez at Nahernandez@ucnj.org

(left to right) Nathalie Hernandez, Coordinator for the Office of Community Engagement,  Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados,  Sima Farid, Human Services Department Director Debbie-Ann Anderson, Alex Mendoza.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to announce the launch of the new Office of LGBTQ Services. Established as part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’ 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives, the new LGBTQ office is the first County government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey.

Operating under the new Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Services will provide a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serve as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.

“This Freeholder Board has a proud record of honoring Union County’s diversity,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “My commitment to the LGBTQ community, through a progressive directive working alongside my Freeholder colleagues has inspired us to establish the new Office of LGBTQ Services, charging the office with promoting equality, and advancing programs, resources and services to support LGBTQ individuals and their allies through inclusion and unity within our communities.”

The new LGBTQ office will work in collaboration with all County departments and in partnership with non-government ally and advocacy organizations to develop innovative strategies to help address the needs of the LGBTQ community on issues that include housing, education, health, public safety and community engagement.

“The Freeholder Board unwaveringly supports the rights of the LGBTQ community, and I am proud we are taking the progressive movement in leading County governments in the State of New Jersey to protect LGBTQ rights progress and resist discrimination, hate and division,” Chairman Granados added.

Through assessment, research, analysis and strategic collaboration, the Office of LGBTQ Services will work to support the LGBTQ community in Union County and beyond. The Office of LGBTQ Services will provide essential support that impacts the quality of life for LGBTQ people and allies through community building and human services.

“On the heels of historic progress for marriage equality by the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the new political reality in Washington has alarmed many,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “As a Freeholder representing the interests of all Union County residents, I believe it is extremely important to lead our communities toward acceptance of all people and advocate for full equality. The new LGBTQ office will service an important role in LGBTQ civil rights awareness and advocacy.”

Several prominent New Jersey organizations that serve the LGBTQ community applaud Union County for establishing the first County government LGBTQ office in the State of New Jersey.

“Garden State Equality is proud to support the State’s first County government LGBTQ office. We commend Chairman Granados and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders for establishing the office with a mission to advocate for and support LGBTQ and ally residents of Union County. As New Jersey’s largest LGBT organization, we feel such pride to see a growing number of establishments that share a similar mission to our own. GSE is thrilled to now have another ally in the fight for a more equal New Jersey,” said Christian Fuscarino, GSE Executive Director.

“As advocates for abused, neglected and abandoned youth removed from home and placed in foster care through no fault of their own, CASA of Union County believes that respect for the inherent dignity, worth and human rights of all individuals is fundamental. In our day-to-day work, we strive to ensure all foster youth find permanency in an environment in which they are safe, affirmed and supported — and this is especially true for those whose rights may be more easily unfulfilled or violated,” said Marla Higginbotham, CASA of Union County Executive Director.  “We applaud Chairman Granados for creating the state’s first county Office of LGTBQ Services, under the Department of Human Services’ Division of Outreach and Advocacy. LGBTQ issues are foster care issues too!”

“Hyacinth AIDS Foundation is thrilled the Freeholder Board of Union County has established an office for LGBTQ residents. Partnerships with local leaders afford us the opportunity to be a voice in the public debate surrounding HIV/AIDS and provide the services necessary to end this horrific epidemic,” said Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien, Executive Director of Hyacinth.

“LGBTQ equality saw great progress in the past decade with influence from many of New Jersey’s LGBTQ advocacy organizations, including the 2015 Supreme Court marriage equality ruling. The unfortunate reality is that 2017 saw significant reversals of LGBTQ rights. These recent developments challenge decades-long civil right protections from Washington, amplifying the urgency for local governments to provide nondiscrimination protections that are supported by the vast majority of Americans,” Freeholder Mirabella added. “The new Office of LGBTQ Services will be persistent and determined in our work to counter the atrocious actions of the current administration in Washington with programs and services that help ensure the rights and safety of LGBTQ individuals.”

Through the Union County Office of LGBTQ Services, the Freeholder Board will host community engagement events including the first Union County LGBTQ PRIDE flag raising ceremony to launch PRIDE Month and the second annual Union County Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic. The Office will also facilitate access to resources, information, and programs on LGBTQ awareness days, a resource directory of LGBTQ-friendly organizations and businesses, as well as a list of federal and state legislative decisions on LGBTQ issues, and other areas of interest to the LGBTQ community and their allies. In February, the Office of LGBTQ Services will host a roundtable for organizations that serve the LGBTQ community to discuss programs, services, issues and priorities for 2018.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Angel G. Estrada watch Plainfield Public Library Director Mary Ellen Rogan and Janice People, Head of the Children’s Library, demonstrate a smart table that was made possible with a Library Support Grant from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The smart table provides customizable interactive learning opportunities for up to 8 children at a time. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Retailer abruptly closes doors at numerous stores across nation, including Linden location

LINDEN, NJ—The Union County Freeholder Board through its social service and re-employment agencies is offering assistance to any Union County resident who was laid off by today’s Sam’s Club Store closings. Sam’s Club maintained a store in Linden, which abruptly closed,  laying off as many as an estimated 200 full-time and part-time employees.

“We offer our sympathies to our residents who were laid off by this abrupt and unexpected closing,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Christopher Hudak, a resident of Linden, in a joint statement. “We would like these former employees to know that the County stands prepared to immediately assist with employment services through our various agencies, and we urge all to take advantage of them.”

Freeholder Granados, a liaison to the Workforce Development Board, and Freeholder Hudak have already ensured these County offices have been notified of the closing and are available to assist (more information is available at https://ucnj.org/sams-club-closures/):

Union County Workforce Development Center

Union County One-Stop Career Centers

The American Job Center Operator manages the Union County American Job Centers, including the management and coordination of all workforce services with Union County workforce partners and the Freeholder Board, as required by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).  Services include career counseling, training, and career advancement for residents and employers. 

Elizabeth
921 Elizabeth Avenue
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
908-558-8000

Plainfield
200 West Second Street
Plainfield, NJ 07060
908-757-9090

Weekly Updated Local Job Opportunities

Done in partnership between the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Union County College.

https://ucnj.org/wdb/job-fairs-and-opportunities/

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photography by Fred T. Rossi of Scotch Plains in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth.  A selection of his work entitled “Over There: A Photo Exhibit of Travels in Europe” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until March 31.  Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We are pleased to have Mr. Rossi’s photographs on display,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The exhibit showcases Mr. Rossi’s skills as a fine travel photographer.”

Mr. Rossi says of his work, “I am mostly self-taught in photography, with a little help over the years from my mother and my brother-in-law.  Since I bought myself a good camera 10 years ago (and learned how to use more than just the shutter release button) I’ve been learning new techniques as I try to define my own personal style.”

He enjoys traveling, both in the U.S. and in Europe, with some of his favorites spots being the Jersey Shore, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, France and Iceland—and his hometown of Scotch Plains.  “Every time my plane heads down the runway toward take-off, I remind myself how fortunate I am to be able to travel to places I dreamt of seeing when I was younger.”

Mr. Rossi exhibited a wide array of his European photographs at the Scotch Plains Library in December 2016 and has another exhibition at the Library planned for July 2018.  His photographs of landmarks and other sites in Scotch Plains are on permanent display at the Scotch Plains Municipal Building.  While he works on building a better website for his works, Mr. Rossi’s photographs can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/jerzeyphoto/.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.