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Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak reads to children at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Springfield on March 2 during the Union County Education Association’s annual Read Across America event. Read Across America is a reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading in honor of the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski reads to Mrs. Kalyn’s 2nd grade class at School No. 10 in Linden as part of the annual Read Across America celebration. Read Across America is a reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading in honor of the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Full and part-time Jobs in transportation, environmental and restaurant industries

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that restaurant, environmental and transportation companies in Union County are holding information sessions at the County Workforce Innovation Business Center for 60 full time and part time job openings for County residents. The jobs range in salary up to $27 an hour.

The three companies who are seeking to hire are: ACV Enviro, an environmental contracting company; Sonic drive-in restaurant, and CPC Logistics, a transportation company.

“We thank the companies who are involved for working with us to hire County residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “If you are an employer, I encourage you to get in touch with the Workforce Innovation Business Center, and let our experienced staff help you find the right people for the right jobs.”

“The Workforce Innovation Business Center is an economic engine for Union County, helping to match local employers with qualified job seekers,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is also the Freeholder Liaison to Workforce Development Board, which oversees operations. “Our investment in the Center has continued to pay off in ongoing job offerings for County residents. We have made a promise to look at new ways to provide greater job opportunities and we are doing it.”

During the past two years, the Workforce Innovation Business Center has partnered with local employers seeking to hire well over 2,000 residents for new jobs.
The Workforce Innovation Business Center is at the Mills at Jersey Gardens Mall, 651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth, NJ. The phone number is 908-355-4444. The details for the information sessions for the three companies that are seeking to hire are as follows:

• Sonic Drive-In Restaurant: The company is seeking to hire ten full-time and ten part-time positions ranging in pay from $8-$12 an hour in the following positions: Cooks, cashiers, car-hoppers, and Assistant Managers. The information session will be held at the Workforce Innovation Business Center on Wednesday, March 8th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please send resumes to baptiste@ucc.edu
• ACV Enviro: The company is seeking to hire 20 full-time Chemical Technicians who have a valid driver’s license, and drivers who have a CDL Class A or B with a Hazmat and Tanker Endorsement. The jobs start at $14 an hour. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 21st at 10 a.m. the Workforce Innovation Business Center. You must be registered for this event, by sending your resume with the desired position to Isaias.rivera@ucc.edu and then by calling Susan Gomez to set up an interview time at 908-355-4444.
• CPC Logistics: The company is seeking to hire 20 full-time Class A CDL local delivery positions at $27 an hour. The event will be held Wednesday, March 29th, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Workforce Innovation Business Center. Candidates must have a valid and current CDL, must be at least 21 years-old, must have 12 months verifiable experience with certificate from an accredited driving school, must pass the DOT physical and drug screen, must have a good safety record, clean MVR and stable work history, must be physically fit to handle and tailgate freight via roller system, and must have the ability to meet all DOT requirements. You must be registered for this event, by sending your resume to Isaias.rivera@ucc.edu and then by calling Susan Gomez to set up an interview time at 908-355-4444.

Goal of program to stimulate public project of economic, transportation, social and governmental importance to local municipalities

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced that applications have been sent out to all 21 municipalities in the County announcing the 2017 Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid grant program, designed to stimulate the development of projects of economic, social, transportation and governmental importance to local municipalities.

The matching grant initiative will make available a total of $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities to assist them in accomplishing tasks undertaken in calendar year 2017. The funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital.

“Our goal is to provide an economic boost to our municipalities in an area where State and Federal assistance has been receding in recent years,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “At the same time, this will stimulate some development and much needed transportation projects while providing an important boost to municipal efforts.”

The Infrastructure program was developed as an initiative of Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak in 2014.
“The end result will be quality of life improvements that continue to make Union County one of the highest-rated places to live in the nation,” said Freeholder Hudak.

1. Some examples of projects eligible for this grant are:
2. Road Work, including pothole repair and structural enhancements
3. Downtown Development Projects
4. Economic Development Plans
5. Large and small scale construction projects
6. Community Enhancement projects
7. Master Plans/Feasibility Studies/Transportation Plans
8. Child Care/Senior Care Infrastructure Projects

Each of the twenty-one municipalities may apply for one or more projects. Projects must be current initiatives, and all funding awarded must be expended by December 31, 2017 . Applications are due by April 1st.

Municipalities receiving the application and who have questions should contact Kathy Addessa, the Department of Economic Development at 908-527-4087

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a free springtime training course is available for persons interested in becoming Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates (CSVAs) for victims of sexual violence.

The training course qualifies volunteers to answer calls and offer in-person support through the Rape Crisis Center (RCC), a long-running program of the Union County Department of Human Services. The RCC has provided reliable, confidential guidance to victims of sexual violence since 1984.

“Sexual violence impacts not only the victim, but also those surrounding them. Our volunteer Advocates help restore a sense of community and self-worth to Union County residents facing a life crisis. The Freeholder Board is extremely proud of these volunteers, who provide a valuable service to individuals in need,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “If you are looking for a worthwhile volunteer activity, I urge you to contact the Rape Crisis Center about the upcoming training program.”

The next training course will begin on Tuesday evening, April 4^th, and continue for 16 sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., until May 25^th. The course provides volunteers with training in crisis counseling and medical/legal accompaniment in a supportive, empathetic environment.

The training will take place at the RCC office in Westfield located within the Colleen Fraser county services building, 300 North Avenue East.

Volunteers must be Union County residents at least 18 years of age. They must hold a valid driver’s license and have their own vehicle. Prior to training, each volunteer will come to the RCC office for an informal interview.

To find out more about volunteering and to schedule an interview, please call the RCC at 908-233-7273.  For more information about the RCC, including personal stories by volunteers, visit the RCC blog at unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Linda Carter and Alexander Mirabella presented the Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award to Freeholder Vernell Wright during the Union County 2017 Black History Month Celebration at UCPAC in Rahway. The Freeholder Board created the award in honor of the late former Freeholder Chester Holmes. They were joined by family members of Freeholders Wright and Holmes. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite children and adults with disabilities to enjoy an afternoon of ice skating at the Warinanco Park Ice Skating Center, located on Thompson Avenue in Roselle, on Sunday, March 5.

There will be two sessions offered, the first from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. With a second session added from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. The event is open to people with disabilities, their families and friends, free of charge. All those wishing to participate must register in advance at www.ucnj.org/parks-reg/.

“Lace Up Your Skates” is a program developed through the Recreation Department’s Office for Programs for People with Disabilities Division. There will be skate guards on duty throughout the event, and skate-walkers will be available for those needing assistance.

“This will be a wonderful opportunity for both youngsters and adults with disabilities to enjoy the ice at the Warinanco Park Ice Skating Center in a fun and safe atmosphere for all,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

For answers to any questions you might have on this program or any other programs offered for people with disabilities please call 908-527-4781. And for a complete list of Programs for People with Disabilities you can go to https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/recreation-for-people-with-disabilities/.

Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Vernell Wright present Linden Mayor Derek Armstead and Councilman Robert Sadowski, Councilwoman Gretchen Hickey and Councilwoman Rhashonna Cosby-Hurling with a new 12-passenger van that will provide free transport for senior citizens. The vans are being awarded to a total of 18 municipalities this year through Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen’s “Seniors in Motion” initiative to assist seniors with free, local transport. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Vernell Wright present Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman with a new 15-passenger van that will provide free transport for senior citizens. The vans are being awarded to a total of 18 municipalities this year through Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen’s “Seniors in Motion” initiative to assist seniors with free, local transport. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)