Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – Union County residents who are seeking a meaningful, high-impact way to volunteer in their community can sign up as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson and Union Counties.

The organization is currently seeking volunteer mentors for its best-known program, Community Based Mentoring. The program involves individual mentoring with a local child or teen, age 6 to 18, with a commitment of just four hours per month for one year. Any resident age 20 or older can apply to become a mentor.

“I have always believed in giving back, and inspiring our youth to attain their goals with the support of those around them.” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Only by working together can we move forward as a community, and now is the time to make a real difference.”

“Our mentors commit to just a few hours monthly, but the impact on a child’s life can ripple out for many years to come,” added Chairman Granados.

The Freeholder Board recently entered into a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters to build the Community Based Mentoring program in Union County.

As part of the partnership, Union County recently launched the Bigs in Blue program, aimed at enlisting mentors from the law enforcement field.

“Law enforcement officers, EMT’s, firefighters and other first responders are always on duty. They inspire our youth by living out the values of community involvement and civic responsibility every day,” said Chairman Granados.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the oldest and largest youth mentoring organizations in the U.S., and it is especially active in the Union County area. Its mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong relationships and positive adult role models.  

Volunteer mentors in the Community Based Mentoring program have the flexibility to schedule their own time. No previous experience is necessary. All mentors receive training and professional support from Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders supports Big Brothers Big Sisters through the Office of Community Engagement and Diversity. The office was established as part of Chairman Granados’s 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives for community service and personal empowerment.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters has helped generations of children and teens navigate life’s challenges and grow into confident, capable adults,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We are looking forward to building the program in Union County and strengthening our community.”

For more information about the Community Based Mentoring program, or to apply to become a mentor in Union County, contact office coordinator Nathalie Hernandez, 908-527-4880 or nahernandez@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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce a series of programs and events throughout the summer and fall for residents with special needs and their families, coordinated through the new Office for People with Special Needs in collaboration with community partners.

“Union County is committed to providing every resident with more opportunities to enjoy activities with friends, neighbors and families,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Our new Office for People with Special Needs builds on our existing programs with new activities and events that include more residents in these enriching social experiences, and help us forge more bonds with community partners.”

The Office for People with Special Needs is part of the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Union County Department of Human Services. Pre-registration for special needs programs is required. To access the online registration system, visit ucnj.org/opsn-reg and look for the section titled “Recreation Programs for People with Special Needs.”

The upcoming social calendar begins on Saturday, August 4 with the first Sensory Friendly movie sponsored by the Freeholder Board, a screening of the newly released movie Hotel Transylvania 3 at AMC Jersey Gardens 20, located at The Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapkowski Road in Elizabeth. Tickets are available only through ucnj.org/opsn-reg at a cost of $5 each, and a food voucher comes with each ticket. The movie begins at 10:30 a.m. and concludes at 1:00 p.m.

The Carnival for People with Special Needs takes place on Saturday, August 18 at the Warinanco Sports Center at Warinanco Park in Roselle, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is a free event designed to be a fun family outing for all, including games, music, a magician, a balloon artist and food.

Union County is also partnering with the New York Red Bulls to support the Special Olympics on Fireworks Night, August 26 at 7:00 p.m., when the team takes on D.C. United. A limited number of tickets are available for $25 each only through the online registration system at ucnj.org/opsn-reg. Each ticket comes with a $10 food voucher. Fireworks will follow the game.

The annual Barn Dance for Special Needs Individuals is scheduled for November 10 at Masker’s Barn, beginning at 3:00 p.m. The event features a live band, square dance caller, hay rides and more. Masker’s Barn is part of the Deserted Village of Feltville, located in Union County’s Watchung Reservation.

Weekly classes and programs offered through the Office for People with Special Needs include karate at the Clark Recreation Center, every Thursday evening from August 23 to September 20. Classes for two age groups are available, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. for participants age 7 to 15, and from 8:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. for participants aged 16 and older. A one-time fee of $12.00 will be charged for all five classes.

Yoga classes for special needs teens and young adults will begin this fall at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. The program will run every Monday from September 10 to October 8, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A one-time fee of $8 applies upon registration.

Two ceramics classes for participants age 13 and up will be held in collaboration with the Linden Department of Recreation at 330 Helen Street in Linden, on September 18 and 25, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Participants aged 13 and older are eligible to participate. A one-time fee of $8 applies.

For the first time, Union County is also offering a Sensory Friendly summer camp for people with special needs. The camp will consist of a weeklong program of outdoor and indoor activities based at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, in the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside.

Registration for the camp is limited. For information on the registration process, contact the Office for People with Special Needs at 908-527-4781.

The Office for People with Special Needs is the first such office in New Jersey. It was established as part of Chairman Granados’s 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives for individual empowerment, education, diversity and inclusion.

To register and to get more details on any program offered through the Office For Special Needs visit online at ucnj.org  or contact the Office Coordinator, Manuel Ramirez at mramirez@ucnj.org or call 908-527-4781. 

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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.

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Photo caption: Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados (far left) joined the festivities at the annual Carnival for People with Special Needs last summer.

Union County, NJ – Union County residents who are looking for employment can get employment help and support through the Family Success Centers, all summer long. Located in Rahway and Elizabeth, the Family Success Centers are funded by the Freeholder Board and operated in partnership with the United Way of Greater Union County.

“The summer months can be tough on job seekers, but there are many opportunities, too,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, who visited a job application help session at the James Kellogg Multicultural Family Success Center in Elizabeth earlier this week. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support the Family Success Centers, which help residents with resources that build individual empowerment and self-determination.”

“Through the Family Success Centers, we approach employment in a holistic way that strengthens and supports children and parents together,” said United Way of Greater Union County President and CEO James W. Horne, Jr. “The Family Success Centers are a ‘home away from home’ where parents and children can grow their skills in a welcoming, supportive environment that honors inclusion, diversity and compassion.”

The Family Success Centers are used mainly by residents of Rahway and Elizabeth, though any Union County resident is welcome to call or visit for assistance.

The Freeholder Board also offers employment services to all Union County residents, including teens and young adults, through the American Job Centers in Plainfield and Elizabeth, and by partnering with companies for hiring events through the Workforce Innovation Business Center at Union County College.

The Kellogg Multicultural Family Success Center is located at 1122 East Grand Street in Elizabeth. It is managed by the non-profit organization PROCEED, Inc.

Among the Kellogg Center’s programs is a series of one-on-one sessions for residents who need help filling out job applications. The next two sessions will be on Monday, July 23 and Monday, July 30 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Kellogg Center will also host a job fair with the major food and facilities management company Sodexo on Friday, July 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

For more information visit PROCEED online or call 908-351-7727 (extension 236).

The Rahway Family Success Center, located at 796 East Hazelwood Avenue in Rahway, also offers a series of job application help sessions. The next help session will be held on Monday July 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

There will also be a job fair with Amazon on Wednesday July 25 at the Rahway Center, beginning at 9:30 am. 

For more information on the job fair and all other programs at the Rahway Center call 732-382-9311, email info@rcao.com.or visit online at rahwaycao.org.

The next WIB Center hiring event will partner Union County with Victoria’s Secret on Thursday August 2. The company is offering 30 full and part-time positions for sales associate, for its location at The Mills at Jersey Gardens. The hiring event will take place at UCC’s Kellogg Building in Elizabeth.

For information on the Victoria’s Secret hiring event, visit ucnj.org/jobs online or call the WIB Center at 908-965-2992.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that two national achievement recognitions for history projects have been presented to the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

“Union County is rich in history, and this Freeholder Board is committed to engaging the public with programs and activities that provide new insights into the people, places and events that have shaped our community,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, who has been a member of the Parks Advisory Board for several years. “I would like to thank our Parks and Recreation staff for developing these new award-winning programs, which are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.”

The awards were announced by the National Association of Counties (NACo) in the category of Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation for new interpretive signage at the Deserted Village of Feltville, and in the Civic Education and Public Information category for a group of projects including history trading cards, the County’s inclusion in the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area, and its sponsorship of the National Parks passport program, which has brought visitors from out of state to visit local historic sites.

“I am always inspired and impressed by the dedication of our employees to make a national mark, and have our collective work supported by our Freeholder Board recognized.  Our county delegation was truly in good company and we benefited from the NACo experience,” said Freeholder Angela Garretson.

“Union County’s place in the Revolutionary War is well known, and these new programs help inform the public about the many other sites and personalities who have made an impact on our history and, in some cases, on the world,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams. “I know that historic preservation is very important to my hometown of Plainfield, and we want all Union County residents to have the enriching experience of history right in their own backyards.”

The national recognition is especially significant because New Jersey has not been represented in the NACo awards program in the Arts, Culture & Historic Preservation category since 2007. In addition, 2010 was the last year that a New Jersey county won the  

The awards were announced in May and were officially presented to Union County Freeholders Angela Garretson and Rebecca Williams in an awards ceremony earlier this week in Nashville, Tennessee.

These award-winning history projects support the goals of Chairman Granados’s Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” goals for empowering adults and children through education.

Nationally, NACo provides awards in 18 different categories that reflect the comprehensive array of services provided by county government.

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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.

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Photo caption: Union County Freeholders Rebecca Williams (left) and Angela Garretson (right) accept two National Association of Counties achievement awards with Union County Director of Parks and Recreation Ron Zuber (far right) and Gabriel Gluck (far right).

Union County, NJ – In the movement to reform national policies on incarceration, Union County is providing a valuable model for success. The local Reconnections prisoner re-entry program, funded in part by the Freeholder Board, has helped hundreds of formerly incarcerated individuals adjust back to life in the community.

Reconnections provides guidance and resources to help clients navigate housing, job placement, education, health care and other foundational needs.

The program is administered by the Urban League of Union County with support from the Freeholder Board and the United Way of Greater Union County.

“It is often said that individuals who have paid their debt to society deserve a second chance, but these are empty words unless we also provide guidance and access to opportunities for them to establish a solid footing as engaged, productive citizens,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Reconnections is a thriving, effective program that offers those who have been incarcerated the resources to regain control of their lives and avoid a cycle of recidivism. The Freeholder Board is proud to continue its support.” 

Developed through a partnership between Urban League of Union County, United Way of Greater Union County and the Union County Department of Human Services, Reconnections provides services in the areas of employment, education, social services, legal, mentoring and healthcare, drug and mental health treatment.

Clients are referred to the Reconnections program by County or State agencies, or by community organizations. Clients are then guided by a trained case manager to develop a personalized strategy to achieve specific goals, such as education and job training. They are connected with resources to help these goals come to fruition and can attend various workshops on life skills.

Union County’s American Job Centers, located in Plainfield and Elizabeth, are key to the success of the Reconnections program. The American Job Centers are available to all County residents for assistance in connecting with employment and job training opportunities.

The Freeholder Board began providing funding for the Reconnections program in 2015. Since then, the program has assisted more than 300 individuals. In that three year period, only 2 percent have returned to prison.

Without a comprehensive re-entry program, re-incarceration rates can be exponentially higher. According to a recent report by New Jersey correctional agencies, 31.3 percent of inmates released from New Jersey facilities were re-incarcerated within three years.

In addition to the Freeholder Board, United Way and Urban League, other affiliates of the Reconnection program include the New Jersey State Parole Board, Union County Vicinage of Probation, Federal Probation, New Jersey Department of Corrections, Neighborhood Health Services and Legal Services of Central Jersey, Union County Re-entry Task Force, and community and faith-based organizations. 

Reconnections supports the goals of Chairman Granados’s Moving Union County Forward initiatives, including the expansion of prisoner re-entry programs as well as partnering with the organization Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in NJ and partnering with school districts and local law enforcement agencies on public safety programs.

Reconnections staff is located in the Union County American Job Centers in Elizabeth and Plainfield.

For more information about Reconnections or to find out more about employment services in Union County contact the Elizabeth Center at 908-558-8000 (ext. 3272) or the Plainfield Center at 908-757-9090 (ext. 7311).

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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.

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Union County, NJ – July is National Parks and Recreation Month, and Union County residents are invited to celebrate this year by exploring “undiscovered” programs and activities found throughout the nearly 6,200 acres of the Union County parks system.

“Union County was one of the very first counties in the United States to establish its own county-based park system for nature conservation and public recreation. Now, almost 100 years later, the Freeholder Board is very proud to carry on that legacy and ensure that our open spaces are protected, preserved and enjoyed by all,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, who is also the Freeholder Board’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board liaison.

National Parks Month has been celebrated since 1985 as a project of the National Parks and Recreation Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to nature conservation, health and wellness, and social equity.

The theme for 2018 is to explore the ‘undiscovered’ side of local parks and recreation, and go beyond conventional activities like playgrounds, walking paths, team sports and rec centers.

“When it comes to out-of-the-ordinary experiences in our parks, Union County has much to offer,” said Granados. “In particular, we are working to ensure that our parks are more accessible to people with disabilities and special needs.”

History buffs, for example, can wander through the Deserted Village of Feltville, a preserved 19^th century mill town located in the Berkeley Heights section of the Watchung Reservation, and examine artifacts in the general store and church.

Another key feature of the village is the Masker’s Barn, a former carriage house which was recently restored as an ADA-compliant multi-purpose center. Masker’s Barn recently hosted its first history field trip with The ARC of Union County, an organization with a mission to empower and support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The facility also plays a role in the county’s regular schedule of social events for people with special needs.

For STEM activities, the Watchung Reservation is also home to the Trailside Nature and Science Center. First established in the 1940’s, it follows the “trailside” model of educating local residents and visitors about their natural surroundings and the importance of environmental stewardship, with year-round programming including summer camps.

Trailside was upgraded and expanded in 2006 and currently includes a 4,500 square foot space featuring interactive exhibits, classrooms and a 250-seat auditorium, and work is also under way on the County’s first Sensory Friendly Trail nearby.

Union County’s new Warinanco Sports Center at Warinanco Park in Roselle is an expansion and upgrade of a former ice skating rink for year-round activities, with a July schedule that ranges from a videography challenge to a rubber duck hunt.

Also in Warinanco Park, a new wheelchair-accessible fishing dock provides a close-up view of the many turtles swimming in the lake.

In terms of out-of-the-ordinary fitness programs, this year Union County continues pairing free yoga sessions with the annual free Summer Arts outdoor concerts series. The County’s free Family Flix outdoor movie series also features fun children’s fitness activities before each film.

“Volunteers are also a vital part of our parks and recreation culture,” said Chairman Granados. “Our Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Trail volunteers have done everything from tagging trees and clearing trails to planting pollinator meadows and restoring a hidden stream, and there is always something more to be done.”

To find out more about Adopt-a-Park, Adopt-a-Trail and other volunteer opportunities in County parks, visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

More information about recreation programs and activities for people living with physical, cognitive or developmental challenges is available from the new Office for People with Special Needs.

For information on all programs and activities in Union County parks, including archery, horseback riding, boating and more visit the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation online at ucnj.org/parks-recreation or call 908-527-4900.

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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.

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Union County, NJ– The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present a new exhibit of award winning artworks by local artists age 60 and up, now on display at the Freeholders Gallery through August 29. Each of the 13 works received first place honors in the countywide Senior Art Exhibit held earlier this summer in the Atrium at Liberty Hall in Union Township.

“Each in their own unique way, these artists have contributed to an enriching, creative culture in the Union County community. On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I wish them all the best of luck in the upcoming statewide exhibit,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

The artworks on view at the Freeholders Gallery cover a wide variety of media and materials by professional and non-professional artists, including:

• Oil painting by Arlene Carallo of Roselle
• Pastel by Anne Castellano of Cranford
• Watercolor by Angelito L. David of Linden
• Watercolor by Lorenzo Ferreiro of Fanwood
• Photography by Mary Gulmi of Hillside
• Acrylic painting by Mel Holston of Plainfield
• Pen-and-ink drawing by Karen Kelly of Scotch Plains
• Photography by Al Kruper of Fanwood
• Craft (stained glass) by John Leavy of Cranford
• Acrylic painting by Florence McGlohn of Roselle
• Mixed media by Lynn Shereshewsky of Westfield
• Pastel by Barbara Uhr of Westfield
• Oil painting by Priscilla Young of Cranford

Two three-dimensional works also received first place awards but are not included in the Freeholders Gallery due to space limitations. They were created by Ellen Pease of Cranford in the craft category and Robin Benito of Westfield in the sculpture category.

All together, the 15 first place winners were selected from 140 entries by a panel of three judges, Frank Falotico, Alina Marin-Bliach and Barbara Wallace, who are professional artists.

In September, the artworks will travel to the 52^nd annual New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor, where they will be on display from September 21 to October 25.

The public is invited to visit the Freeholders Gallery any time during regular business hours, weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the 6^th floor of the Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth.

For more information about the Freeholders Gallery and other programs and services related to the arts and history in Union County, contact the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation, at culturalinfo@ucnj.org or 908-558-2550 (NJ Relay users dial 711), or visit online at ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

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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.

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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ — The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues on Wednesday July 18, with the band 5 Against 1 taking the stage at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

The free series is presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It is held at Echo Lake Park during July and moves to Oak Ridge Park in Clark during August.

“We look forward to seeing everyone at Echo Lake Park enjoying another season of great music,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “And please arrive early and participate in UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a great way for families to stay healthy together.”

5 Against 1 pays tribute to the band Pearl Jam. They have been performing for over two decades, dedicated to the raw rock and roll sounds of the grunge era.

While enjoying the music, attendees can purchase refreshments from Benito’s Jersey Curbside Eats and Danny’s Soft Serve Ice Cream or pack a picnic basket, and bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the stars.

Once again UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a Union County Freeholder initiative, will be part of the Wednesday night pre-concert schedule, with HOME Power Yoga of Cranford presenting a free community class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.  Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in healthy activities for the entire family before the music begins.

The upcoming Summer Arts concerts are (all shows begin at 7:30 p.m.):

Echo Lake Park, Mountainside

• July 18th 5 Against 1
• July 25th The Vinny’s & Katfish Lucy

Oak Ridge Park, Clark

• August 1^st  Jobonanno & the Godsons
• August 8th American Rapture
• August 15th Brother John Brown Band
• August 22th Dead on Live

Visit ucnj.org/summer for more summertime fun activities.

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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.