County of Union, New JerseyThe Union County Freeholders would like you to know that prior to the Point in Time Homeless population count scheduled in Union County , various social service agencies will be holding service fairs for the homeless in Plainfield and Elizabeth during the afternoon from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24th in Plainfield and Elizabeth. Please click on the fliers for the information.
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.
The Union County Freeholder Board is pleased to announce that Aviation Logistics, which is opening up at Liberty International Airport in Newark, is hiring for a total of 50 full-time and part-time positions. The Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center is holding an information session on the positions, Tuesday January 23rd at 10 a.m. at the Union County College Kellogg Building, 5th floor Room K-517, 40 W Jersey St. Elizabeth, NJ 07201. Anyone interested in employment should attend this session, but must first pre-register (a requirement) for event.
To register, please go to https://ucnj.org/jobs.
Must be able to pass drug screen and Background check. For more information please call 908-965-2992
Union County Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen presents Robert Max of Summit with a resolution recognizing the 94-year-old World War II veteran for publishing a book about his remarkable story of survival and escaping Nazi slave labor. The presentation was made at a speaking engagement at Union High School where Max spoke to students. They were joined by the author’s son Doug and Mike Boll of the New Jersey Veterans Network.
“The Long March Home: An American Soldier’s Life as a Nazi Slave Laborer” was published last November and is available at www.hellgatepress.com/robert-r-max/long-march-home.
The speaking engagement was sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey Veterans Network.
Union County Manager Alfred J. Faella, the County’s top-appointed executive responsible for the day-to-day operations of a government that provides services to more than half a million residents, has announced his retirement effective March 1st.
Faella, 62, announces his retirement after a career spanning 25 years in City, State and County governments. Faella has served the last 6 years at the helm of County Government as its Manager, reporting to the Freeholder Board. He is the 11th top executive under the County Manager Form of Government.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the residents of Union County in this capacity, and I am thankful to the Freeholder Board for their support and confidence in me,” said Faella, a lifelong resident of Union County, who lives in Mountainside, and hails from the City of Elizabeth. “Working through the Freeholder Board, we’ve been able to accomplish many great things for the residents of Union County.”
Among the many accomplishments Faella cited working with the Freeholder Board was the County’s economic recovery from the recession that began in 2008, rebounding to a AAA Bond rating, the expansion of critical programs and services, the recovery from Superstorm Sandy, and a smooth operational flow of County Government.
Faella said he is looking forward to the “next phase” of his life, pursuing family, volunteer, recreation and travel activities.
Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, speaking on behalf of the Freeholder Board, thanked Faella for his public service.
“Al has done a great job in implementing the day-to-day services of County government, as well as the initiatives and directives of the Freeholder Board,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Al is also a truly exemplary leader who has been passionate about focusing on quality of life issues facing our residents. We thank him for his effort and sacrifices in making County Government work for our residents and wish him well in his retirement.”
The Freeholder Board expects to make a final decision before March 1st, on appointing a new County Manager.
Contact: Sara Cullinane sara.cullinane@maketheroadnj.
(Elizabeth, NJ) Today the Trump administration announced the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Salvadorans. Effective Sept. 9, 2019, nearly 200,000 people who have been living and working legally in the U.S. for almost two decades, who have American families, homes and businesses, will be subject to deportation. 10,000 Salvadoran TPS holders currently reside in New Jersey.
Make the Road New Jersey, the grassroots immigrant rights organization based in Elizabeth, NJ strongly condemns this decision.
“Once again the Trump administration has made a cruel and inhumane decision by ending TPS for Salvadorans living in the United States. Families who have been living here for decades, who have families, jobs and form an integral part of the fabric of our communities will now face deportation to one of the most violent countries in the world,” said Make the Road New Jersey leader Douglas Martinez, who immigrated from El Salvador more than a decade ago. “Racism and xenophobia are the only explanation for this horrific decision that will gut our communities and put our families’ lives at risk.”
Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados issued the following statement: “Our nation has long stood as a beacon of liberty against oppression, but the TPS decision is yet another example of President Trump’s utter disregard for the devastating impact of his immigration policies on hardworking families and communities here in Union County and across the United States. As a person of Salvadoran heritage, I find this latest humanitarian outrage an especially egregious affront to the dignity of all Americans who stand for fairness and justice, and I intend to work alongside my fellow Salvadorans and Make the Road New Jersey in the fight against this decision.”