Author: Web Site Administrator

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the launch of the Non-Profit Consortium Leadership Fellows Institute with its first class of 24 recruits from local non-profit organizations. The program is a partnership with the Union County Non-Profit Consortium, with the goal of developing the next generation of informed, effective executives in the non-profit sector.

“The Non-Profit Leadership Fellows Institute is one of my Chairman’s Initiatives for 2017, and we all have high hopes that its impact will ripple out to benefit the Union County community for many years to come,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “I’d like to thank my colleagues on the Board, the Non-Profit Consortium and our private sector supporters for shepherding this program from the drawing board to its launch today.”

The Non-Profit Leadership Fellows Institute represents the first, focused investment that County government has made to support skills and training for the next generation of non-profit executive leaders. The program builds on the Freeholder Board’s workforce development initiatives, aimed at ensuring that important economic sectors can draw from a rich pool of talent.
“It is difficult to overstate how important it is to ensure that our non-profits continue to benefit from informed, effective and seasoned leadership,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Freeholder Board liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “As we are all very much aware, non-profits are one of the bedrock foundations of the Union County community, especially so for those that provide the essential services that sustain our social safety net.”

Bergen noted that, the contributions that non-profits make to communal well-being, they also provide unique, high quality employment opportunities and volunteer experiences that enrich life throughout Union County.

“Although it is a commonplace to define the non-profit and private sectors by their differences, with this program we hope to bring the best of both together: the passion for social justice and human empathy, and the confidence, know-how and management skills that enable an organization to grow and thrive,” he said.

The Union County Non-Profit Leadership Fellows Institute is a public-private partnership, and it is made possible by a commitment of $5,000 in seed money from County government, $500 contributions made by the non-profits for each candidate they send to the Institute, and the generosity of private sector sponsors.

Each of the 24 participants will attend 11 skill-building sessions based on a dynamic, interactive model. Peer learning is also an important element of the development program.

For more information about participating in or supporting the Non-Profit Leadership Fellows Institute, contact Pamela Capaci, CEO, Prevention Links, 121-125 Chestnut Street, 3rd Floor, Roselle (office phone: 732-381-4100, cell: 908-307-9080, email pcapaci@preventionlinks.org)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders sponsored Sunday’s New Jersey Veteran’s Network “Salute to Veterans and Patriots 5K and Fun Run” in Springfield. Hundreds of residents, including Veterans, military personnel and law enforcement personnel ran in the race, and Veterans from each Union County municipality were among those honored in a short ceremony following the race. 

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to announce the free lectures for adults 18 years and older and high school students, in the fall season at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. 

“Trailside offers engaging and diverse lecture topics at its popular Visitor Center.  The 2,060 acre reservation is a great destination in fall,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.        

On Tuesday, October 17 from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M., The American Historical Theatre offers a compelling theatrical re-enactment, made possible in part by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.  Theodore Roosevelt: American in the Arena recreates the time when President McKinley was assassinated in 1901, and Vice President Theodore Roosevelt bounded into Washington, D. C as the youngest President in history.   His vigorous persona helped catapult the U.S. into the new century.  His accomplishments were plentiful and diverse: War hero to Nobel Peace Prize winner, naturalist to imperialist. 

On Saturday, October 21 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  NASA Solar Ambassador Paul Cirillo will speak on What’s Next For Human Space Travel.  Cirillo, a popular lecturer at Trailside,   will present a fascinating lecture about the future for human space programs planned in the United States, China and Russia.  The lecture also includes the project of the four U.S. commercial companies, Space X, Boeing, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic.  Space tourism, space stations, moon bases and a journey to Mars are the inspiring and thrilling topics discussed.  Learn about these exciting projects and others as we prepare for these upcoming new voyages.

For more information about these programs or other activities at Trailside, 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 facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Union County Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Angel G. Estrada, Vernell Wright, Bette Jane Kowalski and Christopher Hudak present former US Ambassador to Uruguay Julissa Reynoso and Union County College Vice President for Student Development Demond Hargrove with a resolution in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month during a Union County National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Union County College in Cranford. Ms. Reynoso presented a lecture called “Challenges for a New Leadership,” followed by a Q&A session. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County is seeking to contract a per-diem Forensic Nurse Examiner to perform medical forensic examinations on victims of sexual assault.

As a member of the County’s Sexual Assault Response Team, the Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) will work closely with law enforcement agents, confidential sexual violence advocates, and emergency room personnel. The FNE also will provide comprehensive and compassionate care to victims of assault.

This position requires dedication, flexibility, the desire to embrace evolving advances in forensics, and the ability to function independently.

Candidates must have an active New Jersey RN license with a minimum of two years of experience, ideally in emergency department nursing or in OB-GYN nursing. Specialized FNE certification is required but may be obtained and reimbursed after commitment.

Please contact Dorothy DiFabio, Union County SART/FNE Coordinator, at 908-558-6948 for further details

Union County Freeholders Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski and Christopher Hudak congratulate the Foluik family from Cranford, the Chen family from Westfield and the Capasso sisters from Cranford on winning the scarecrow building contest at the 36th Annual Harvest Festival at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

That’s why we ask for anyone interested to participate in this Disaster Relief Supply Drive that will go towards helping those affected areas with a big emphasis on Puerto Rico due to the lack of electricity and resources being provided.

170 New Jobs Available For Union County Residents Through Workforce Innovation Business Center

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the County’s Workforce Innovation Business Center is recruiting qualified Union County residents to fill 170 full and part-time positions at three prospective employers in Union County.

“We made the development of public-private partnerships a priority so we can maximize employment for our County residents,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is a liaison to the Workforce Development Board. “We’ve been able to create well over 1,500 new job opportunities over the past year for County residents with prospective employers and we look to forward to continuing to create even more opportunities through our partners in the private sector.”

Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen added:
“The Workforce Innovation Center has been a great success, and I encourage employers looking to hire in Union County to get in touch with us, and let us assist you in fulfilling your employment goals.”

The first employer, IHOP, is seeking to hire 20 Union County residents through the Workforce Innovation Business Center. Both full and part-time positions are available. Interested applicants are advised to attend an informational session on Tuesday, October 3, 10am at the Workforce Innovation Business Center at the Mills at Jersey Gardens Mall, 651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth. Applicants must also email their resume to isaias.rivera@ucc.edu and call Susan Gomez at 908-355-4444 to reserve a spot.

Available positions include servers, hosts and bus persons. Interested candidates must have customer service experience and a flexible schedule with the ability to work weekends.

The second employer is AirServ, a company that provides support to the airline industry. The company is seeking to hire candidates to fill 50 positions, including baggage handler, cabin cleaning, lavatory service agent, lobby agent, wheelchair agent and air terminal attendant. All jobs pay $10.10 an hour. Prospective candidates must be able to work weekends and holidays. Interested applicants should attend an informational session on Friday, October 6 at the Workforce Innovation Business Center. Pre-registration is required at https://ucnj.org/wdb/job-fairs-and-opportunities/. For additional information, please call 908-355-4444.

The third employer, GameStop, is seeking to fill 100 positions. Both full and part-time positions are available. An informational session will be held on Tuesday, October 10 at the Workforce Innovation Business Center. Available positions include store managers and sales associates. Salary will vary depending on experience, with a range of $9-13 an hour. All prospective candidates must have either supervisory and/or customer service and sales experience. Interested candidates should email their resume to isaias.rivera@ucc.edu stating their desired position and call 908-355-4444 to reserve a spot.

The Workforce Innovation Business Center is a partnership between the Freeholder Board, the Workforce Development Board and Union County College.

featuring speeches from Catiana Celentano, founder and owner of Let’s Play in Italian Language and Cultural Center in Scotch Plains, Nick Netta, Owner of Netta Architects In Mountainside and Dr. William Connell,  Seton Hall Professor and Italian Studies Historian

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced that Union County’s ninth annual Columbus Day Flag Raising event is set for Friday, Oct. 6th, at 1 p.m., on the steps of the historic Union County Courthouse.

“This year, we have a very diverse group of speakers who will address the audience on some interesting cultural topics,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, who is emceeing the event. “Italian-Americans continue to make extraordinary contributions to the rich, diverse fabric of  America—a country we all love, and who our ancestors helped discover and build.”

The keynote speakers are local business owners Catiana Celentano (“Let’s Play in Italian” language and cultural center in Scotch Plains), Nick Netta (founder and owner of Netta Architects in Mountainside), and Dr. William Connell from Seton Hall, an author, and a nationally-recognized historian on Italy.

“Let’s Play in Italian” language and cultural center presents a fun and an educational way for young children, adults, parents or caregivers to learn the Italian language and the Italian culture. The school is the only  state-licensed Italian educational school serving pre-K and kindergarten in New Jersey.

Since its founding in 1993 under Mr. Netta’s leadership and creative direction, Netta Architects have become a leading public sector design firm in Northern New Jersey, and has received numerous design awards. Under his direction, Netta Architects consistently achieves design excellence and has the unique opportunity to design a large number of landmark buildings.

The company has also left a significant footprint of its work in Union County, completing many major projects, including the Union County Family Courthouse (Cherry Street Annex), the Warinanco Park Sports and Skating Center, the Galloping Hill Clubhouse, Vo Tech West Hall, and Union County College expansion at Cranford.

 Mr. Netta maintains an active role in all projects and was as appointed by the Governor, to serve on the State Board of Architects which regulates the profession within the State of New Jersey. He has also served as a past President of that board.

Dr. Connell is the holder of the Joseph M. and Geraldine C. La Motta Chair in Italian studies at Seton Hall, and a leading specialist in the history of Italy and an authority on Renaissance Florence and Machiavelli, will also speak.  

Other scheduled speakers at the flag raising include: Union County Freeholder Al Mirabella, who is emceeing the event this year, County Manager Al Faella (who is being honored by the Elizabeth Chapter of UNICO as Man of the Year later this month),  Plainfields’ UNICO Founder Renato Biribin, Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition President Manny Alfano; and UNICO National Membership and Retention Director Anthony Bengivenga (also a business owner in Cranford).  Additionally, resolutions will be presented to all Chapters of UNICO in District X.

UNICO is the nation’s largest Italian American service organization whose chapters and members engage in promoting and defending Italian culture and heritage, as well as providing scholarships, engaging in community service and other philanthropic endeavors.

The courthouse is located at 2 Broad St. in Elizabeth at the corner of Rahway Avenue. In the event of rain, the program will be moved indoors to the County Courthouse Rotunda.

UNICO District X and Plainfields’ UNICO work to organize and co-sponsor the event.

Italian-style refreshments will be served after the program in the historic Union County Courthouse. Parking (pay) is available in the Midtown area at the J. Christian Bollwage Parking deck at Elizabethtown Plaza and Caldwell Place. A second deck is Elizabeth’s Parking Deck No. 6 on Jefferson Avenue and Dickinson Street—the entrance is on Dickinson Street.