Author: Web Site Administrator

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is excited to announce the launch of a pilot program, through one of Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados’ initiatives that fall in line with his theme of “Building a Stronger Union County” for 2023, which aims at providing swim lessons to youth in communities across the County. In collaboration with the Gateway Family YMCA, the program will take place at the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool during the week of August 21st, 2023.

“Children account for one out of every four drowning deaths, so working in collaboration through our Union County Parks & Recreation Dept. & Gateway Family YMCA I’m eager to launch this pilot program in order to emphasize water safety and swimming skills among our youngest residents,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Union County Commissioner Board is dedicated to the well-being of our communities, especially the young children who deserve to have a safe and fun summer. Through this pilot program, we hope to identify all the benefits this will have for our youth and their families to ensure a successful full-scale launch next year, serving even more of our Union County community.”

Union County is committed to promoting a culture of aquatic awareness and aims to fully launch this initiative in the summer of 2024.

During the initial phase as a pilot program, swim lesson slots will be limited to 24 individuals and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis in order to gauge interest and develop relevant procedures. The program will offer four daily half-hour sessions, from Monday, August 21st to Friday, August 25th. The first session, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., will cater to ages 3 to 6, with a second session available for ages 7 to 12. The subsequent session for both age groups will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Union County invites families with children between the ages of 3 and 12 to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Interested participants are encouraged to sign up soon to secure their spots, and can register by contacting Angelica Cedeno at 908-558-2279 or by email at acedeno@ucnj.org 

The Union County Board of Elections is seeking bilingual poll workers for General Election Day, Tuesday, November 7, 2023. In addition to receiving a stipend of $300.00 for the day, poll workers perform a valuable civic service by helping to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote on Election Day.

“Bilingual poll workers are especially helpful in our diverse community, so we encourage everyone with a second language, specifically Spanish, to participate in this very important civic service,” said Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado.

Any Union County resident who is 18 years or older, and registered to vote in Union County, can qualify to become a poll worker.

No experience is needed. Before Election Day, each new poll worker must attend an in-person training course.

Persons interested in becoming a poll worker are advised to apply now in order to reserve a spot.

For more information and to obtain an application form, visit the Poll Worker Resources page at the Board of Elections website, ucnj.org/pollworker. To request an application form by mail, call the Board of Elections at 908-527-4236 or email pollworker@ucnj.org.

For all Union County Board of Elections information visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is holding a school supply drive for the 2023-2024 academic year from August 8^th through September 1^st. Donations will be collected in partnership with H&M and the Kean University chapter of the New Jersey State Society of Physician Assistants and PA Students, and will be received by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Union County.  

“We are happy to collaborate with The Boys and Girls Clubs of Union County in our efforts to ensure that no child attends school this coming fall without adequate classroom materials,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Let’s give our students the fresh start to the new year that they deserve. I’m confident, with your contributions, we will reach our goal of providing over 1,000 residents with school supplies before the start of the 2023-2024 school year.”

Key items sought through donation include earbuds, single subject spiral notebooks, plastic pocket folders, No.2 pencils, pencil sharpeners, colored pencils, 1-oz. hand sanitizers, glue sticks, sticky notes, highlighters, 12-inch rulers, pink erasers,and children’s scissors.

Residents can donate items in person at one of the following collection sites:

• Plainfield Public Library (Children’s Room), 800 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ
• Elizabeth Public Library (Elmora Branch), 740 West Grand St, Elizabeth, NJ
• Union Public Library, 1060 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, NJ
• Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ
• Union County Public Safety Building, 400 North Ave East, Westfield NJ
• Union County Engineering, Facilities, and Public Works Management Building, 2325 South Ave, Scotch Plains

Residents who would prefer to participate online are encouraged to visit our Amazon Wish List account at https://bit.ly/ucnjsupplydrive23

For additional information on the Union County School Supply Drive, please contact Judith Guest, Community Engagement and Diversity Coordinator, at 908-527-4388 or by email at judith.guest@ucnj.org.

For more information on the Boys and Girls Clubs of Union County, please visit their website at https://www.bgcuc.org

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that applications for the 2024 Union County History Re-Grant Program for Special Projects and General Operating Support will be available on Tuesday, August 8th. All eligible non-profit organizations in Union County are invited to apply.

“The Union County History Re-Grant Program is an invaluable resource to museums, schools, libraries and other history organizations,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Through its funding, these historical groups can continue providing our community with memorable, life-enhancing experiences through a variety of educational activities. All eligible organizations are encouraged to apply.”

Applicant organizations must be based in Union County, and the programming covered by the grant must take place in Union County during 2024.

Applications must be submitted online to the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, a division of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. To begin the application process and to create an account, request the link to the application portal by emailing John Prescott, History Programs Coordinator, at jprescott@ucnj.org

The application deadline is Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 11:45 p.m. Application materials submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. 

Eligibility requirements, application components, and other pertinent details are outlined in the complete General Operating Support (GOS) and Special Projects (SP) guidelines.

The Re-Grant Program includes two types of grants:

• General Operating Support (GOS) grants provide assistance for the basic costs of operation such as programming, preservation of collections, salaries, marketing, and more. Funding is available to Union County based historical societies, house museums or historic sites only. The maximum GOS grant request is $7,500.

• Special Project (SP) grants support history organizations, museums, schools, libraries and similar organizations with collections or programming relating to Union County and New Jersey state history. The maximum SP grant request is $5,000.

“This program helps local organizations bring history alive for our diverse communities,” said Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Cultural & Heritage Advisory Board for Union County. “The lessons of history teach us all how to build a better society for the future.”

For additional information on the Re-Grant program and other grant programs administered by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/funding-opportunities.

Funding for the History Re-Grant program is provided by the New Jersey Historical Commission. For clarification, assistance, or questions about applying, please contact John Prescott, History Programs Coordinator, at 908-436-2912 or by email at jprescott@ucnj.org

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Press release was updated to reflect the correct grant deadline

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Union County Workforce Development Board and Union County American Job Center, will host a Farmland Fresh Dairies Hiring Event at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 18 at the Plainfield Public Library, located at 800 Park Avenue in Plainfield, NJ.

This special event is open to all CDL Class A/B Drivers. Farmland representatives will be on site, ready to answer questions, accept applications and conduct job interviews.

“In continuing our initiative to present Union County residents with a diverse selection of career opportunities, we have partnered with Farmland Fresh Dairies to offer qualified candidates a career as a CDL driver for the top dairy brand in the Northeast,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados, Liaison for the Workforce Development Board. “If you are looking for a career change, or have a strong interest in becoming a CDL Class A/B driver, Farmland representatives will also be seeking candidates for their paid apprentice program.

Farmland Fresh Dairies is a family-owned company with over 100 years of experience. Founded in 1914 in New Jersey, they have grown to a fleet of 100 trucks/tractor trailers and counting. Candidates with a relevant skillset, interest, and a clean driver’s license are encouraged to attend and apply.

While this event is free of charge, pre-registration is required. For more information, or to register online, residents can visit ucnj.org/job-fair.

The Union County American Job Center is a division of the Union County Department of Human Services which provides in-person career services, including job fairs and recruitment, training, and more.

Employers who are interested in partnering with the Union County American Job Center for future events can contact Carolina Marin, Senior Manager of Business Development, at 908-527-4373 or by email at astrid.marin@ucnj.org.

The Union County Workforce Development Board seeks feedback from employers to better understand the challenges and opportunities associated with employing individuals with disabilities.

Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados is excited to share a significant initiative undertaken by Union County’s Board of County Commissioners and Workforce Development Board Disability Committee. As many of you may know, it is the 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a milestone that signifies our commitment to promoting equal rights and opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the workplace.

To commemorate this significant occasion, we are launching an employer survey aimed at understanding the unique aspects of employing individuals with disabilities at ucnj.org/inclusionsurvey – the survey is open NOW and for 30 days.

Your input is crucial in helping us gain a comprehensive understanding of the obstacles and opportunities related to employing individuals with disabilities.

By participating in this survey, employers will actively contribute to the advancement of inclusive workplaces. Your feedback will pave the way for strategies that foster inclusivity, break down barriers, and create environments where all employees can thrive.

By understanding the challenges faced, we can create tailored solutions to ensure that individuals with disabilities can contribute their unique skills and talents effectively.

The data collected from this survey will serve as the foundation for shaping future initiatives in our region. Your valuable feedback will inform our policies, programs, and resources, ensuring that we address specific needs and create a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

We assure all participants that their responses will remain confidential and anonymous. Please help us get a better understanding of the unique aspects of working with individuals with disabilities in your workplace.

Together, we can drive positive change in our workforce landscape. By working collectively, we can build a more inclusive, understanding, and equitable work environment for all employees.

Complete the survey now by visiting ucnj.org/inclusionsurvey