Category: Public Info

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Linda Carter and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella this evening congratulated the recipients of the 2018 Women of Excellence Awards at the 26th annual Women of Excellence dinner in Garwood. They were joined by New Jersey State Senator Nicholas P. Scutari and New Jersey State Senator Joe Cryan and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi.

The 2018 Women of Excellence awardees are:

• Malathi Narayan Ananthakrishnan, New Providence (Arts in Education)
• Dr. Ludovina Archeval , Holy Redemer Home Care of Elizabeth (Health/Medicine)
• Brooke Campbell, Cranford (Children’s Advocacy)
• Maria Carvalho, Elizabeth (Youth Advocacy)
• Councilwoman Rose Checchio, Scotch Plains (Government)
• Candyce Mayers, Linden (Women’s Advocacy)
• Marguerite Modero, Roselle Park (Special Needs Advocacy)
• Donna Puzella , Summit (Business Leadership)
• Patricia Roman, Clark (Volunteerism)
• Margaret Salisbury, Union (Lifetime Achievement)

(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – Earlier this month, a group of 51 students in grades 9 to 11 from the Teacher Education Academy at UC TECH staged an indoor carnival for special needs learners. More than 140 participants from the community attended the event and enjoyed plinko, corn hole, dance revolution, hula hoop activities, a DJ, prizes and more.

UC TECH is part of the Union County Vocational-Technical School District. It is located on the main campus at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

“I would like to congratulate the students of the Teacher Education Academy on a successful event, and wish them all the best in their future careers,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “When young people take the lead on community service, their energy and enthusiasm is inspiring. The effort these students put into planning and preparing the carnival sets a wonderful example for us all.”

“The annual carnival provides students with a way to put their classroom lessons into action while giving back to the community,” said Vocational-Technical Schools Superintendent Peter Capodice. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our Teacher Education Academy head instructor, Dr. Anne Marie McNamara, for her exemplary dedication to mentoring and fostering student leadership at Vo-Tech.”

While the DJ kept the two-hour event moving along, the students distributed prizes as game captains and served as carnival captains to guide the participants through 10 different activity stations. At the conclusion of the event, all 51 student volunteers formed a line to send the participants home with a rousing “clap out.”

The annual carnival is the culmination of a year-long fundraising and planning effort by the students. In addition to providing a day of fun for the participants, the carnival enables students to gain hands on experiences with academic topics including human development, diverse learners and psychologist theory.

For more information about the Teacher Education Academy, UC-TECH and all Vo-Tech schools, visit ucvts.org.

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.

Photo Caption (photo attached): Student volunteers from the Teacher Education Academy at UC TECH planned and staged an elaborate two-hour activity carnival earlier this month for 140 special needs learners.

Union County, NJ – In recognition of Arbor Day 2018, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is once again partnering with the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board to sponsor the annual Arbor Day Tree Planting Program, which provides free trees for participating schools.

“The Arbor Day tree planting program is a Union County tradition that provides students with important hands-on lessons about the value of trees in our environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Studies have shown that trees improve property values and provide many other civic benefits while absorbing airborne pollutants, providing a cooling effect in summer, preventing soil erosion, and helping to alleviate flooding. Just one tree can supply a day’s supply of oxygen for four people.”

This year’s free tree is a tree native to the northeast, the American Flowering Dogwood.  They are about five feet tall and weigh about 20 pounds, and each is provided with a protective cage. When fully grown they will be about 15-20 feet tall.

The trees are available on a first come first serve basis while supplies last. Requests from schools must be received by Tuesday, April 10, 2018.

Schools that are interested in a tree can request one by contacting Barbara Knapp at 908-789-3653 or bknapp@ucnj.org to obtain a registration form. 

For schools that receive a tree, free sessions in tree planting and care are available to students, teachers, and parent volunteers through the Union County and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Master Tree Steward Program. The tree care sessions will be held at Williams Nursery in Westfield.  Please register for training by contacting Barbara Knapp.  

“Trees are a key asset in Union County, and the Freeholder Board takes stewardship of this resource very seriously,” said Granados. “The County tends to thousands of trees along our roadways and in our parks, we provide matching grants for planting trees in our 21 municipalities, and we support the Master Tree Steward volunteers who do a wonderful job of educating children about the value of trees.”

The U.S. Forestry Service provides free public domain software to calculate the dollar value of trees in an urban community. The latest version, i-Tree v.4, is user-friendly for individuals, students and community groups as well as professional planners.

Arbor Day has been a National Observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees.  This year it will be celebrated on Friday, April 27, 2018.

To find out more about tree care in Union County or to volunteer to be a Master Tree Steward, contact James Nichnadowicz, Union County 4-H Agent at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

The Extension is supported in part by the Freeholder Board and is headquartered in the Colleen Fraser Building at the County complex in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East. For information on all Extension programs visit ucnj.org/rce.

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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.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski presents a resolution to Union County Human Services Director Debbie-Ann Anderson, Union County Child Support Supervisor Susan Ruiz and Child Support Specialist Tonya Hendricks recognizing and congratulating the Union County Division of Social Services Child Support Unit on being named the Child Support Agency of the Year for 2017. The Division of Social Services Child Support Unit strives to be of service to the custodial parents by providing the children and their families with the financial and emotional support to be productive and healthy citizens in our society.

Recently, at its annual conference in Atlantic City, the New Jersey Child Support Council presented their Child Support Agency of the Year Award to the Union County Division of Social Services Child Support Unit for their exceptional management and outstanding service to the children and families of it Child Support program during the year 2017.

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Linda Carter and Angela R. Garretson presents a resolution to Onyx Keesha and members of M. PoWeR Arts commending their efforts in assisting the revitalization the arts within the City of Plainfield by showcasing plays such as “Vagina Monologues” at the duCret School of Art. M. PoWeR Arts offers classes in filmmaking, acting, dance, writing and theater believing that arts education is essential to all.  Community theater is a key part of M. PoWeR’s vision, bringing dynamic stage production to life. 

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites historical societies and other organizations to apply for two types of grants available through the Union County History Re-grant Program, funded by the New Jersey Historical Commission.

In support of the Re-Grant Program, Union County’s Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs will conduct a free history grant writing workshop on Wednesday, April 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. Grant application forms will be available at the workshop.

“Whether you are an experienced grant writer or a novice, I encourage you to come and learn how to position your project for success,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Re-grant Program is a good opportunity to gain funding that assists with operating expenses and other costs.”

The two types of grants available through the Re-Grant Program are:

• General Operating Support grants. These grants provide assistance for the basic costs of operation, including but not limited to programming, preservation of collections, salaries and marketing. These grants are for Union County based historical societies, house museums or historic sites only. The maximum grant request is $5000.00.
• Special Project grants. These 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 grant request is $3500.00.

The April 18 grant writing workshop is free but pre-registration is requested. To confirm attendance or to receive more information, call the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-436-2912 or email John Prescott, jprescott@ucnj.org.

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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 Chosen Freeholders is proud to host Garden State Equality’s ‘Pledge & Protect’ entry-level training workshop “Introductions to the Health Care Needs of the LGBTQ Population” free for organizations and professionals serving older LGBTQ adults.

Presented in collaboration with Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Services and Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection’s (ADRC), Garden State Equality – New Jersey’s largest LGBT Organization – will present two sessions (10:00am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm) on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at Warinanco Sports Center in Warinanco Park, located at 1 Park Drive, Roselle. Registration is required online at www.gardenstateequality.org/pledge_uc. Please note that this workshop is specifically for services providers of older LGBTQ adults.

“The Freeholder Board is steadfast in our commitment to support the strength of our diversity in Union County and offer programs that improve the quality of life for all of our residence,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “At a time when the current administration in Washington is manipulating the Department of Health and Human Services to betray the department’s true mission by using religious beliefs to discriminate against women and LGBTQ patience, we – county, state and municipal elected officials – have to be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to support and protect our LGBTQ community in Union County.”

Garden State Equality Health & Wellness Coordinator, Bianca Mayes offers an engaging and interactive workshop that features four parts – defines LGBTQ terms, explains the historical and current climate/context, describes general health disparities and needs, and identifies best practices for inclusion. The first of a three level program for organizations and professionals who serve older LGBTQ adults, each support staff or professional who completes the workshop will have the opportunity to sign a pledge to take affirmative steps through their organization, business or practice to make their programs more welcoming to LGBTQ older adults. Certificate will also be provided to participants upon completion of the workshop.

“According to SAGE, a recent national survey of LGBT older adults found that overwhelmingly respondents felt they could not be open about their LGBTQ identities with service providers,” noted Freeholder Al Mirabella, liaison to the Freeholder’s LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “This collaboration with our Office of LGBTQ Services, Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection and Garden State Equality to present a workshop specifically addressing some of the health and wellness cultural competency concerns is vital to making health and wellness services accessible to older LGBTQ adults in our community. The Freeholder Board looks forward to welcoming two full workshops of service providers for LGBTQ older adults interested in learning more about how to better support their patients.”

Union County’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection’s (ADRC) goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.

Through assessment, research, analysis and strategic collaboration, the Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, provides essential support that impacts the quality of life for LGBTQ people and allies through community building and human services. 

For more information about the Union County Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org, or visit the Union County government website at ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholders Bruce H. Bergen and Alexander Mirabella present a certificate of recognition to ShopRite of Clark Assistant Manager Rick Ferreira, District Manager John Dearani, Shopper Advocate Amberly Rssomano and Associates Will Smith and Sandy Dellaportas congratulating them on spear-heading the ShopRite Partners In Caring community-based hunger fighting program at the ShopRite of Clark.

A competition sponsored last year by ShopRite and cereal company General Mills prompted thousands of the supermarket’s employees to raise $1.5 million to fight hunger. Donations were collected across six states during check-out and at events held in stores.

ShopRite of Clark was among the most active stores in raising funds for local food banks. In recognition of their work raising funds for hunger relief Associates Smith and Dellaportas are featured on a special edition box of Cheerios cereal. The customized cereal boxes, which feature employees from 40 ShopRite stores, are sold exclusively at ShopRite.

As Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) approaches this weekend on Saturday, March 31, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders declares their support of this important day and recognizes that TDOV is about more than visibility, it’s an opportunity for all of us to be an ally.

TDOV is a day dedicated to reflecting on the achievements made by transgender and gender nonconforming individuals and their supporters, and it’s also an opportunity to raise awareness about the trans community and the oppression these individuals still face in today’s society.

“We call on community members and allies to help ensure that transgender individuals are affirmed, respected, and able to thrive,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, liaison to the Freeholder LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “As an elected official representing all residents in Union County, I urge leaders in our communities to use language and actions that inspire and empowers transgender individuals.”

TDOV comes as the State of New Jersey advances laws toward transgender equality and significant protections – soon to become the state with the most progressive gender-identity policies in the nation.

“On behalf of the entire Freeholder Board, I add our names to the list of New Jersey elected officials who commend our state representatives for their efforts to pass legislation that protects transgender individuals who reside in New Jersey,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Freeholder Board supports policies that are gender-affirming for all of our LGBTQ residents. Union County stands ready to immediately implement the equality legislations that Governor Murphy has vowed to sign.”

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders stand in support of all transgender people, and condemns attempts to stigmatize and marginalize them. We believe transgender individuals have the right to a full quality of life as respected members of our families, communities, and work force.

In January 2018, Union County became the first county in the State of New Jersey to establish an Office of LGBTQ Services – established by Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados as one of many progressive “Moving Union County Forward” special initiatives that he announced in January of this year.

Through assessment, research, analysis and strategic collaboration, the Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, provides essential support that impacts the quality of life for LGBTQ people and allies through community building and human services.

For more information about the Union County Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org, or visit the Union County government website at ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of Freeholders is proud to announce that the Union County Office on Women has created a new series of videos highlighting women of achievement and leadership here in Union County, NJ. The new video series will be called Union County Women Making History. This first video is a profile of the Hon. Judge Karen Cassidy, Assignment Judge here in Union County. More videos will be released throughout the year.