Category: Public Info

Calling all hikers, joggers, dog walkers, photographers, nature lovers, environmentalists and all residents who enjoy the rustic trails in Union County parks: the Union County Board of County Commissioners is looking for new volunteers to join the Union County Trail Steward Adopt-a-Trail program.

Each Trail Steward adopts a section of trail in a Union County park of their choice. The Union County parks system covers 36 different parks in all 21 municipalities including the picturesque Watchung Reservation with miles of rustic hiking trails.

“Generations of Union County residents have worked to create, preserve, protect and expand our public parks, and today we all enjoy this incredible gift of nature right at our doorsteps,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “We care deeply about continuing to protect this legacy, and we could not do it without the help of our Adopt a Trail volunteers. We truly appreciate their work, and we encourage everyone with an interest in our parks to help pitch in by joining the Trail Stewards.”

To learn more about becoming a Trail Steward, residents can attend an orientation session on Saturday, February 4, from 9:00 am to noon, at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Current Trail Stewards are also invited to attend.

To register for the session online, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation/stewards-meeting.

Anyone age 18 and older can sign up to become a Trail Steward. The Trails Stewards walk their adopted trail on a regular basis to look for trouble spots. They pick up litter and fallen branches, clear leaves from blocking culverts, and cut back intrusive vegetation. A minimum of four walks per year is requested.

Trail Stewards also report erosion, fallen trees and other significant obstructions to be handled by County staff or the volunteer Chain Saw Crew.   

The Adopt-A-Trail Program is administered by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information about the Trail Steward program and other volunteer conservation activities in Union County parks, call the Division of Park Environmental Services at 908-789-3683 or email park.env.services@ucnj.org.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

“Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud” is presented free to the public by the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Rahway

In celebration of Black History Month, the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Rahway invite residents to experience the words and music of two cultural legends whose art interweaves across centuries and continents, in a live performance of Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud on Tuesday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Stage of the Union County Performing Arts Center, at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway.

Admission to this special Black History Month event is free but reservations are recommended online at ucnj.org/black-history-month.

Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud is a rare chance for Union County audiences to preview a Lincoln Center performance in the intimate environment of the Main Stage, a beautifully restored former vaudeville theater that serves as Union County’s cultural centerpiece. The show will move to Lincoln Center in February. 

Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud is the creation of the well-known WQXR radio host and cultural curator Terrance McKnight. He will be joined on stage at the Performing Arts Center by pianist Kyle Walker, oboist David Norville and vocalist Chauncy Packer. The Commissioner Board will also present the annual Chester Holmes Humanitarian award at this event.

 “We are very proud to welcome Mr. McKnight back to Union County, to celebrate the beginning of Black History Month 2023 with our community. Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud is an enlightening, enriching experience that reminds us of Union County’s deep connections to the great cultural movements of our past, and informs our understanding of the present,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.

“Social justice and the arts are two major cornerstones of the Rahway community. As we enter Black History Month, Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud flawlessly combines these elements to offer an insightful reflection of the past, and a reminder of the work we continue to do for a brighter future,” said City of Rahway Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe.

“Black History Month is a time for rediscovering the literary voices of our nation’s past and refreshing our knowledge of the intricate cultural connections that informed their work. We thank Mr. McKnight for shining a new light on both Langston Hughes and Ludwig van Beethoven,” said Commissioner James E. Baker, Jr.

“Langston Hughes is an important voice in the cultural and social history of the Union County community, having lived in Westfield in the 1930’s,” said Commissioner Dr. Angela Garretson. “Mr. McKnight provides a unique musical perspective on the creative threads that intertwine music and poetry from different eras, and we encourage everyone to come and enjoy this very special presentation.”

 “Mr. McKnight provides an enriching experience that brings us closer to the deep cultural significance of Langston Hughes’s work, and it is a real honor to bring him to Union County in celebration of Black History Month,” said Commissioner Rebecca L. Williams.

In Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud, Mr. McKnight pairs the poems of Langston Hughes with music by Ludwig van Beethoven, two commanding talents separated by a hundred years’ time and vastly different worlds. Each found inspiration and the spark of creativity in the universality of the other’s art form.

Mr. McKnight regularly curates concerts and talks at Merkin Concert Hall, the Billie Holiday Theatre, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Museum of Modern Art. He is also the creator of A Langston Hughes Song Revival.

This will be Mr. McKnight’s fourth time returning to Union County to present high quality programming for Black History Month. A full orchestra version of Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud will be presented at Lincoln Center in New York City in February.

This program is made possible by funds from the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

For more information about Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud and other activities and programs of the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, visit ucnj.org/cultural, email culturalinfo@ucnj.org, or call 908-558-2550.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites seniors and their caregivers to come to Union County’s ASK community events in February, and meet in person with professional staff for expert guidance on senior programs and resources. Help with filling out forms is also provided.

Bilingual staff will be present at all of these events to offer assistance in Spanish.

“Making sure our seniors and their caregivers have access to the right information about what the County of Union has to offer is important to us,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “I encourage all of those who can benefit from the ASK Program to attend these sessions and learn about all of the programs and resources available. In addition, there will be bilingual staff on board to ensure that our residents who communicate primarily in Spanish are included.”

ASK stands for Aging Services Kiosk, a program of the Union County Department of Human Services through the Division on Aging and Disability Resources, serving seniors age 60-plus and their caregivers.

The ASK program provides Union County residents with a friendly, convenient way to find out about helpful programs and services for seniors and caregivers. The program brings professional staff from the Division on Aging to local public libraries and other community centers.

Staff at the ASK events can help seniors and care givers connect with a variety of services including home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.

Any Union County senior or care giver can visit any ASK event, regardless of their hometown.

No appointment or pre-registration is needed. The upcoming ASK events in February all include bilingual assistance in Spanish:

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Union Public Library

1060 Stuyvesant Avenue

Union, NJ 07083

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Monday, February 6, 2023

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue

Clark, NJ 07066

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Garwood Public Library

411 Third Avenue

Garwood, NJ 07027

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Elizabeth Public Library – Main

11 S. Broad Street

Elizabeth, NJ 07202

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Thursday, February 23, 2023

Roselle Library

129 Chestnut St.

Roselle, NJ 07203

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Contact the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection for information on upcoming ASK events and any other services for seniors in Union County. Call 1-888-280-8226 toll free or visit online at ucnj.org/dhs/aging.

The goal of the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families, in accordance with a statewide initiative adopted by Union County in 2012. The Division is one of 622 Area Agencies on Aging nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.    

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners advises job seekers that the Union County American Job Center will hold a job fair for residents interested in careers in health care on Friday, January 27, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Warinanco Sports Center, located in Warinanco Park at 1 Park Drive in Roselle.

Attendance is free of charge but pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/job-fair.

Leading health care providers in Union County will have representatives on site including Atlantic Health, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Bayada, UCHA\MD Care, CityMD Urgent Care, NJ TRANSIT, On Time Ambulance, Jewish Family Service, Lantern Hill, RWJ Hospital Rahway, Modivcare and VisionWorks.

“Union County’s job placement programs have been successful in matching thousands of qualified candidates with new careers and good paying jobs,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Sergio Granados. “As part of the Chairman’s ‘Building a Stronger Union County’ theme for 2023, we have launched the ‘Building Workforce Relationships: Closing the Gap’ initiative, featuring our first job fair dedicated to a wide range of careers in the health care field.

“We encourage our residents to come and meet with these top employers in person to explore the many opportunities in the health care field. We will also be working throughout the year to organize additional job fairs dedicated to other fields of employment,” added Chairman Granados, who is the liaison to the Union County Workforce Development Board.

Attendees are advised to bring a resume and dress appropriately for on-the-spot interviews.

“We are eager to find great candidates to join Atlantic Health as we strive to be on the Fortune 100 best companies to work for, for the 15th year in a row,” said Atlantic Health Talent Acquisition Consultant David Fischer.

Open positions include the following, and more:

Emergency Dispatcher

Air/Ground Transport RN

Patient Access Representative

Emergency Medical Technician

Mobility Vehicle Operator

Clinical Lab Assistants

Medical Laboratory Scientists

Phlebotomists

Security Officers

Emergency Dispatcher

Air/Ground Transport RN

Patient Access Representative

Emergency Medical Technician

Clinical Lab Assistants,

Medical Laboratory Scientists

Phlebotomists,

Security Officers

LPN (home care)

Home Health Aide

Monitor Technician

Cardiovascular Technician

Unit Associate

Nurse Manager

Dietician

Recreational Aide

Employers who are interested registering to participate in the job fair can email Carolina Marin, Senior Manager Business Development at Astrid.marin@ucnj.org or Pamela Mata, Business Development Manager, Union County American Job Center at pamela.mata@ucnj.org.

The Union County American Job Center is s division of the Union County Department of Human Services, providing in-person career services. Counselors on staff work with job seekers to identify their interests, assess their skills and abilities, and advise them on in-demand jobs and potential training opportunities. The Union County American Job Center also organizes recruiting events and workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, and more.

To learn more about employment services offered by the Union County American Job Center, visit ucajc.org and use the “Job Seekers” link. Searchable job-finding tools are also available at the “Search Jobs” and “Find a Job” links.

An orientation video about the services provided by Union County American Job Center is available on the Union County website at ucnj.org/dhs/workforce-development.

To contact the American Job Center by phone, call the Elizabeth office at 908-558-8000, or call the Plainfield office at 908-757-9090.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

In celebration of Black History Month 2023, the Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to present Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud, a free evening of poetry and music exploring the life and times of the poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist Langston Hughes featuring WQXR Radio host Terrance McKnight on Tuesday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m. at the Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving Street in Rahway.

The annual Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award will also be presented at the event.

Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud is free of charge but seats must be reserved in advance. To reserve online visit ucnj.org/black-history-month.

“We are very proud to welcome Mr. McKnight back to Union County, to celebrate the beginning of Black History Month 2023 with our community. Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud is an enlightening, enriching experience that reminds us of Union County’s deep connections to the great cultural movements of our past, and informs our understanding of the present,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.

“Black History Month is a time for rediscovering the literary voices of our nation’s past and refreshing our knowledge of the intricate cultural connections that informed their work. We thank Mr. McKnight for shining a new light on both Langston Hughes and Ludwig van Beethoven,” said Commissioner James E. Baker, Jr.

“Langston Hughes is an important voice in the cultural and social history of the Union County community, having lived in Westfield in the 1930’s,” said Commissioner Dr. Angela Garretson. “Mr. McKnight provides a unique musical perspective on the creative threads that intertwine music and poetry from different eras, and we encourage everyone to come and enjoy this very special presentation.”

 “Mr. McKnight provides an enriching experience that brings us closer to the deep cultural significance of Langston Hughes’s work, and it is a real honor to bring him to Union County in celebration of Black History Month,” said Commissioner Rebecca L. Williams.

Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud was created by Mr. McKnight, who is the speaker and narrator for the performance. He has paired the poems of Langston Hughes with music by Beethoven, two commanding talents separated by a hundred years’ time and vastly different worlds. Each found inspiration and the spark of creativity in the universality of the other’s art form. The evening will also include works by other composers.

Joining Mr. McKnight on stage forLangston & Beethoven: Black & Proud are pianist Kyle Walker, oboist David Norville and vocalist Chauncy Packer.

Mr. McKnight regularly curates concerts and talks at Merkin Concert Hall, the Billie Holiday Theatre, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Museum of Modern Art. He is also the creator of A Langston Hughes Song Revival.

This will be Mr. McKnight’s fourth time returning to Union County to present high quality programming for Black History Month. A full orchestra version of Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud will be presented at Lincoln Center in New York City in February.

This program is made possible by funds from the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

For more information about Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud and other activities and programs of the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, visit ucnj.org/cultural, email culturalinfo@ucnj.org, or call 908-558-2550.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites families to attend the annual “February Festivities” series of indoor and outdoor nature activities taking place over President’s Day weekend at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, on Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19.

The programs are recommended for families with children ages four and older.

“We are very proud to offer our resident the enriching experiences of our natural heritage in our County parks and at our Trailside Nature and Science Center,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Along with special programs like February Festivities, the doors of Trailside are open all year ‘round for visitors to walk through and explore the exhibits. We also encourage everyone to experience the Sensory Friendly Trial on the grounds of Trailside.”

Pre-registration and a modest fee are required for February Festivities programs. To register, visit ucnj.org/trailside and follow the link to Union County’s secure online registration page. The fee per person per program is $7.00 for Union County residents and $8.00 for non-county residents.

This year, the February Festivities programs are:

The Journey of Sap to Syrup meets from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on both Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19. Visitors will see how real maple syrup is made from the sap of a sugar maple tree. Find out what equipment is needed to collect sap and take part in a taste test to see if you can identify the real thing.

A Winter Walk Scavenger Hunt is offered from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on both Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19. Investigate the winter woods for buck rubs, bird nests and bright red berries. Warm up around a campfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows as we review our wintery findings. 

On Saturday, February 18, visitors can learn about some of the most interesting animals from all over the world during the featured matinee, Unique Creatures. Audience members will have the opportunity to be up close to several unique, live animals; including snakes, lizards, insects, birds and mammals. This program will be offered from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and again from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Adults and children can enjoy an afternoon filled with science, laughter and magic during the featured matinee, The Science of Magic on Sunday, February 19 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.    Using mirrors, magnets and optical illusions, performers will educate and captivate the audience while demonstrating principles of light, reflection, magnetism and more.

For more details about February Festivities and other upcoming programs at Trailside, visit ucnj.org/trailside or call 908-789-3670.

Aside from special programming, Trailside welcomes visitors free of charge every day except Mondays and major holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please note that Trailside is closed on Monday, February 20, for President’s Day.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities, visit the Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners announced that the County of Union is allocating $2.2 million in CDBG funds through US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to organizations to help residents impacted by Covid-19.

“This is an investment in our County that will help provide important building upgrades and social services to organizations in helping residents who still may be recovering from Covid-19,” Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Many residents faced financial and career hardship due to the pandemic and this additional money will help boost the many programs and services our residents need. I encourage all organizations who are eligible to log onto our website and apply today. Together, we will continue to build a stronger Union County to strengthen our community and improve the quality of life for all.”

The funding is to be spent to prepare for, respond to, or prevent COVID-19. Any project administered with these funds must also meet CDBG regulations and criteria. Funding is available in specific assistance categories for organizations to administer to residents impacted by COVID-19.

In making decisions for funding with this special CDBG-CV allocation, Union County will consider factors such as the eligibility, national objective and whether the project provides substantial community benefits to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. Projects must serve a majority of low and moderate-income persons.

Projects must be ready to implement immediately. Eligible sub-recipients may use the funds for building improvements (public facilities); and public services that prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. The County of Union encourages applicants only to apply to administer funds within their capacity.

“The Community Development Block Grant program makes a big difference in our County and it is with grants like these that we are able to make important investments in infrastructure, and most importantly investments in our residents,” said Commissioner Lourdes Leon, who serves as the CDBG Liaison. “Organizations who are accepted are going to benefit greatly from this funding and their growth will overall help us continue to succeed as a County.”

Applications will be reviewed and scored for the applicant’s financial/accounting capacity and compliance, community need for the proposed project, overall project benefits, experience and HUD compliance. By request, translation services and documents, as well as alternative accessible document formats, are available to persons with varying language needs or disabilities.

The CDBG-CV Application is now available on our website www.ucnj.org/cdbg and will close on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 5pm.  Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.

If you have any questions about the funding, required documents, or eligible projects, please contact Brandon Givens, Director, at 908-527-4462 or by email at bgivens@ucnj.org. For more information please visit: www.ucnj.org/cdbg.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners announces that the Union County Office of Emergency Management is conducting the Basic Auxiliary Police Training Program to teach volunteers the basic skills required to perform as an Auxiliary Police Officer.

The curriculum follows the guidelines set forth by the New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management. Instructors from various state, county and municipal agencies volunteer their time to instruct these recruits in order to ensure they meet the state’s requirements to serve as Auxiliary Officers.

Click here for more information.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners advises residents that schedules for free countywide, drive-through recycling programs are now available online at ucnj.org/recycling. Along with two locations for scrap metal recycling, there will be traveling locations for secure paper shredding of personal documents, and for safe disposal of unwanted household chemicals and other potentially hazardous home and yard products.

“We encourage everyone in the whole Union County community to use our countywide drive-through recycling programs to recover valuable metals for recycling, prevent identity theft, and help keep hazardous products out of the environment,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “I would also like to thank our municipal partners for helping to stem the tide of waste with local drop-off programs.”

Union County’s recycling programs are run by the Bureau of Recycling and Planning, and are for household use only. These events are drive-through only. Residents must arrive in a vehicle and remain in their vehicle while staff on site unloads the items.

The following Union County drive-through recycling programs can be used by any County resident this year, regardless of their home town.

1. Scrap Metal Recycling: Drop off metal appliances, fencing, gutters, kitchenware and much more at two locations, in Rahway and Kenilworth. This program begins in April and continues on the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month until November. Visit ucnj.org/recycling/scrap-metal for complete details.

2. Secure Paper Shredding: Union County’s secure, mobile paper shredding program will visit locations in Scotch Plains, Plainfield, Berkeley Heights, Hillside, Clark, Cranford, Rahway, Union Township, and Westfield this year. The shredding events will take place from March to October, for a total of 13 events. Visit ucnj.org/recycling/mobile-paper-shredding for details.

3. Household Hazardous Waste: Residents can bring a wide variety of home and yard products, from unwanted cleansers to hobby supplies, fire extinguishers and car tires, to five events between April and October. The events will be held in Cranford, Union Township and Scotch Plains. For details visit ucnj.org/recycling/household-special-waste.

Residents can contact their municipal recycling coordinator to inquire about drop-off locations for recycling plastic film including shopping bags and bubble wrap, block-type Styrofoam packing material, fluorescent light bulbs, electronic goods, motor oil, and oil filters. A list of municipal recycling coordinators is available at ucnj.org/recycling/municipal-recycling-coordinators.

Experts from the Bureau of Recycling and Planning are also available to present recycling information to schools, community groups and other organizations. To schedule a program contact Heather Miara, heather.miara@ucnj.org.

The free Recycle Coach mobile app provides a handy way to find out what items are included in curbside recycling programs and drop-off sites in Union County. The app provides up to date information on both countywide and local recycling programs.

For more information and updates on all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle.

Quick links to all environmental programs and activities hosted by Union County are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the Union County Veterans Parking program has expanded to 14 locations in 2023, where specially designated parking spots are reserved for veterans who display an official Union County Veterans Parking placard in their car. The program is administered by the Union County Office of Veteran’s Services and helps raise public awareness about military veterans in the Union County community.

To request a Union County Veterans parking placard, use the online form on the Union County website at ucnj.org/veterans.

 “We invite veterans to contact the Office of Veteran’s Services for assistance with benefits and other resources in Union County, including the Veterans Parking program. This year we continue to show our respect, appreciation and support for military veterans by continuing to expand and improve our outreach through the Chairman’s ‘Building a Stronger Union County’ initiatives for 2023,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.

The Union County Office of Veteran’s Services provides a wide variety of free, in-person guidance services for veterans including:

• Acting as the veteran’s official representative to the Veterans Administration
• Assisting with the assembling of evidence and timely submission of claims
• Helping with VA Disability Compensation claims and other VA benefits
• Assisting with Survivor’s Benefits
• Providing information on current VA regulations
• Explaining VA correspondence
• Aiding with Veteran’s Pensions
• Helping with Burial Benefits

The Office of Veteran’s Services also provides information on a wide range of resources including discharge registration, disability compensation claims, transportation, education and training, employment and veterans preference, equine therapy, VA health care and clinics, support and suicide prevention, property tax deduction/exemption, housing, job opportunities, end of life planning, military burial, special events and home loans.

Union County launched the Veteran Parking program launched in 2020 with a designated Veterans Parking spot at each of nine County locations:

• Archery Range at Oak Ridge Park – 136 Oak Ridge Road, Clark
• Ash Brook Golf Course – 1210 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains
• Colleen Frasier Building – 300 North Avenue East, Westfield
• Echo Lake (9/11 Memorial) – 1028 Springfield Avenue, Mountainside
• Galloping Hill Golf Course – 3 Golf Drive, Kenilworth – 2 Spots
• Rahway River Park (Memorial Grove Area) – St. Georges Avenue, Rahway
• Trailside Nature and Science Center – 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside
• Union County Administration Building – 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth
• Warinanco Sports Center – 1 Park Drive, Roselle

This year, four locations in Rahway and one location in New Providence have also been added to the program:

• New Providence Borough Hall – 360 Elkwood Avenue, New Providence (two spots)
• Hamilton Stage – 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway (two spots)
• Rahway City Hall Parking Lot – 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway
• Rahway Public Library – 2 City Hall Plaza, Rahway
• Rahway Senior Citizens Center – 1306 Esterbrook Ave,  Rahway

For more information about all veterans’ services in Union County visit ucnj.org/veterans or contact Geoff Smith, Office Coordinator, at 908-527-4918 or W.Geoff.Smith@ucnj.org.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.