Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen gave welcoming remarks at the 3rd Annual Union County Fatherhood Initiative Conference. The conference was part of the National U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development call to action to strengthen the bond between fathers and their children.
Many workshops were held throughout the day including a Men’s Health Forum given by Dr. Barry S. Levinson of Trinitas Regional Medical Center and a Barbershop Talk, a dialogue about the culture that shapes today’s men, given by Reginald Williams. The event was sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
On Saturday, June 13th, Freeholder Angel G. Estrada was inducted into the Hispanic/Latino Alumni Council Society of Scholars for his long standing leadership in the Hispanic community. Freeholder Estrada’s long-time friend Dr. Orlando Edreira had the honor of presenting his tassels.
Freeholders Vernell Wright and Sergio Granados were also at the special event with Freeholder Wright presenting Freeholder Estrada with a resolution on behalf of the entire Union County Freeholder Board. The HLAC, which also celebrated its 15th anniversary, awarded four students with scholarships for their academic success. The students were Pablo V. Monteros, Maria L. Olaya, Karen P. Pina and Shakira K. Berroa.
The exhibit will be on display until July 13 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L) and Sergio Granados congratulate Clarisse Kant of Cranford on winning first place in the non-professional drawing and prints category
Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski congratulate Wolf Kretlow of Roselle on winning first place in the professional photography category and the professional Best In Show
Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (R) and Bette Jane Kowalski congratulate Frank B. Marshall III of Roselle on winning first place in the professional mixed media category
Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados and Bette Jane Kowalski (R) congratulate Libby Reid of Rahway on winning first place in the professional drawing and prints category
Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados and Bette Jane Kowalski (R) congratulate Linda Rosen of Cranford on winning first place in the professional sculpture category
Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski congratulate Genadiy Rozhkov of Springfield on winning first place in the professional acrylic category
Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L) and Sergio Granados congratulate Molly Brown of Rahway on winning first place in the non-professional acrylic category
Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh (L) and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella present a check and certificate to students Billy McGloin, Jessica McGloin and Melissa McGloin who are representing Union Catholic High School. Union Catholic came in first place in the 2015 Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program (UC STEP) challenge. They are joined by Guidance Counselor Jennifer Dixon.
“Donate to Educate”- Schools Supplying Schools, was the county-wide UC STEP community service challenge undertaken by participating Union County high schools in 2015.
UC STEP was created to provide high school students the opportunity to develop a countywide community service around a topic they feel is important, while teaching them leadership and personal growth skills and responsibility within their communities.
SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for confidential personal documents will be available on Sunday, June 28, at the Union County Vo-Tech campus in Scotch Plains.
“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.”
The June 28th shredding event will take place at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus in Scotch Plains, located at 1776 Raritan Road. NEXCUT Shredding of Elizabeth will be shredding documents at the site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.
All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.
Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. Shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place Thursday, July 9, at Rahway River Park in Rahway.
The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen (3rd L) and Freeholder Sergio Granados (2nd R) joined (from left) Dr. Lisa Hiscano, Director of Continuing and Professional Education, Victor M. Richel, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Union County College President Margaret M. McMenamin, Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage and Elizabeth Council President Patricia Perkins-Auguste in cutting the ribbon officially opening the Mobile Learning Lab parked at Union County College’s Kellogg Building in Elizabeth.
The six-ton trailer is outfitted with the latest in advanced manufacturing training equipment that will provide customized assessment and education to more than 500 local residents.
Union County College’s Industry Business Institute has connected with 16 employers that have expressed an interest in hiring the newly trained workers.
The classroom-on-wheels will remain at Union County College through the fall.
Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella (R) congratulates Robert Villegas of the Scotch Plains Fire Department on graduating from the Union County Fire Training Academy as part of the Fall 2014 Class during a graduation ceremony at Union County College in Cranford.
Firefighter Villegas earned the Chief Anthony Schepis Award for Excellence in Firefighter 1 and the Battalion Chief Ken Nocera Memorial Award for Outstanding Excellence in Firefighter 1.
They are joined by Scotch Plains Fire Chief Jonathan Ellis.
Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella (R) congratulates Joseph Ellis (C) of the Garwood Fire Department on graduating from the Union County Fire Training Academy as part of the Fall 2014 Class during a graduation ceremony at Union County College in Cranford.
Firefighter Ellis earned the Ben Laganga Leadership Award.
They are joined by (from left) Garwood Fire Chief Michael Tharaldsen and Ben Laganga’s sons Michael and Anthony.
Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella (R) congratulates Raymond Kaeser III of the Scotch Plains Fire Department on graduating from the Union County Fire Training Academy as part of the Fall 2015 Class during a graduation ceremony at Union County College in Cranford.
Firefighter Kaeser earned the Chief Anthony Schepis Award for Excellence in Firefighter 1.
They are joined by Scotch Plains Fire Chief Jonathan Ellis.
Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella (R) congratulates Tim Meyer of the Cranford Fire Department on graduating from the Union County Fire Training Academy as part of the Spring 2015 Class during a graduation ceremony at Union County College in Cranford.
Firefighter Meyer earned the Battalion Chief Ken Nocera Memorial Award for Outstanding Excellence in Firefighter 1.
They are joined by Cranford Fire Department Capt. Andrew Stratton.
Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella (R) congratulates Robert Villegas of the Scotch Plains Fire Department on graduating from the Union County Fire Training Academy as part of the Fall 2014 Class during a graduation ceremony at Union County College in Cranford.
Firefighter Villegas earned the Chief Anthony Schepis Award for Excellence in Firefighter 1 and the Battalion Chief Ken Nocera Memorial Award for Outstanding Excellence in Firefighter 1.
They are joined by Scotch Plains Fire Chief Jonathan Ellis.
Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen, a New Jersey Connect Trustee, announced that the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County is collaborating with New Jersey Connect to build a new home for a disabled veteran and family as part of an initiative called “Habitat for Heroes.” Interested families are being sought for the upcoming application period, launching in September 2015.
Two local Nonprofits Seek Interested Families for upcoming “Habitat for Heroes” Project
Two local nonprofits continue the collaboration to begin a joint project. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County with New Jersey Connect will partner to build a new home for a disabled veteran and family for an initiative called “Habitat for Heroes.” Interested families are being sought for the upcoming application period, launching in September 2015.
“We are excited to partner with New Jersey Connect and grateful to them for committing the initial funding of $50,000,” said Rev. Jeremy Montgomery, Executive Director of Greater Plainfield Habitat for Humanity. “We will be honored to work together alongside a disabled veteran and his or her family to provide an accessible and barrier-free home.”
New Jersey Connect was founded in 1994 by local Westfield resident Elisa Sananman to address the housing needs of people with physical disabilities, who can direct their own care yet seek accessible, non-institutional housing. Fostering independent living and respect for individuality is the core philosophy behind the mission of the nonprofit organization.
Habitat for Humanity builds “simple and decent” homes affordably for families in need, such as this one on West Fourth Street in Plainfield.
“I am proud to work with these two outstanding organizations on this wonderful initiative,” commented Union County Freeholder Vice-Chairman Bruce Bergen, a New Jersey Connect Trustee. “Giving a disabled veteran the opportunity to purchase a barrier–free, affordable home is one substantive way to show our appreciation for the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep our nation safe.”
As is required of all new Habitat homeowners, veterans selected to partner with “Habitat for Heroes” will repay zero-interest loans covering the costs of new home. Loan amounts will be determined on a sliding scale based on the veteran’s income to ensure affordability for the veteran’s family. The program works to help veterans get back on their feet and live their lives with dignity, respect, and a feeling of community.
Affordable housing solutions for veterans and military members have become a priority in U.S. policy over the recent years, and Habitat for Humanity is a leading organization in providing solutions. In fact, more than 45% of veterans need help finding a job and 37% of veterans need help finding housing. Habitat for Humanity engages veterans as volunteers, homeowners and employees through their Repair Corps program, an initiative funded by The Home Depot Foundation to help repair, renovate or construct the homes of U.S. veterans.
“This is our small way to give back to those who have sacrificed so much,” describes Charles Newman, President of New Jersey Connect and Director Union County Office for the Disabled. “Working with the sterling reputation of Habitat for Humanity, our new ‘Habitat for Heroes’ initiative can turn tragic times for our community’s disabled veterans into hopeful futures.”
For more information on the “Habitat for Heroes” project, view the interactive website of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County at www.gphabitat.org. Interested families should fill out the “Housing Interest Form” for receive email updates and notifications of future application deadlines.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County
Founded over 26 years ago, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is committed to improving the lives of low-income families by helping them build and buy their own simple, decent homes. Habitat offers families a hand up, not a hand out. Every partner family devotes at least 200 hours per adult of sweat equity to help build their home or a neighbor’s home and secures a 0% mortgage provided by Habitat. To date, thirty‐nine homes locally have been built totally by volunteer labor using donations of money and materials from the community – with seven homes under construction in the coming year. To volunteer, donate, or own a Habitat home, visit www.gphabitat.org.
RAHWAY, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a free technical assistance workshop about intellectual property laws for visual artists, historians, musicians, performers, and writers will be offered in Rahway on Wednesday evening, June 24th. The free workshop will be presented by Joey Novick, Esq., the Executive Director of the New Jersey Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (NJVLA).
“Intellectual property laws are important to historians, novelists, poets, and anyone involved in the visual or performing arts,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “This workshop will help writers and artists understand how to protect their creations from infringement.”
The workshop will take place Wednesday, June 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Stage of Rahway, 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway, NJ 07065.
Individual artists will be able to explore general and specific questions about intellectual property laws, including topics such as copyright and trademark. For example, artists may actually retain the rights to their image after they have sold their piece of art.
The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, in the Department of Parks and Recreation, is presenting this workshop, which is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
There is no charge for the workshop but pre-registration is required. To register for the workshop or learn about other programs, services and volunteer opportunities, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07202. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711. The e-mail address is culturalinfo@ucnj.org. Assistive services are available on request in advance. Click here to register online.
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen (2nd L) joined U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (4th L), Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (L), Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman (3rd L), YMCA Board of Directors President Joseph R. Venezia (4th R) and other officials at the ribbon cutting officially opening the Gateway Family YMCA Rahway Branch on Irving Street. The $3.4 million, 16,938 square foot renovation provides expanded opportunities for The Gateway Family YMCA to further the YMCA’s mission and address the unique needs of the Rahway community. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
