Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – In an effort to encourage local employers to hire people with disabilities, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, AGL Resources/Elizabethtown Gas, and the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services are co-sponsoring a free seminar for employers: Tapping into the Talent of Persons with Disabilities.

The seminar will be conducted by Cornell University’s Disability Business Technical Assistance Center – Northeast and will be held on Friday, October 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Liberty Hall Corporate Center, Room A-B, 1085 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ.

Attendance must be confirmed in advance by contacting Gina Tuesta, Union County Workforce Investment Board, (908) 558-2292, or gtuesta@ucnj.org A continental breakfast and refreshments will be served. Educational credits, one credit per hour, are available for human resources professionals.

“October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and this year we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” noted Freeholder Chairman Daniel Sullivan. “Helping Union County residents from all walks of life to find employment is more important than ever, and we hope that this seminar provides employers with new insights into the full potential of employees with disabilities.”

The seminar will include a presentation on the results of the 2010 Survey on Employment of People with Disabilities. This national survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, was jointly commissioned by the National Organization on Disability and The Kessler Foundation. The Kessler Foundation also provided funding for the survey.

One finding of the survey was that employers seeking to hire persons with disabilities get referrals from service provider agencies, but often do not work more closely with the agencies to identify qualified applicants.
“One of the goals of the seminar is to help employers partner with service agencies here in Union County, to help them identify qualified applicants who match their needs,” said Freeholder Sullivan.

AGL Resources/Elizabethtown Gas is hosting the event, which was organized by the Union County Department of Human Services, Workforce Investment Board, One Stop Career Centers and Office for the Disabled, in collaboration with the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

For more information about resources for people with disabilities in Union County, contact the Union County Office for the Disabled, 908-527-4807.

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Union County Freeholders Angel G. Estrada and Bette Jane Kowalski (R) present a resolution to Mary Phillips, Community Relations Coordinator with ConocoPhillips, congratulating her on the company being named Business Leader of the Year by the Libraries of Union County Consortium during a reception at the Linden Public Library. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Angel G. Estrada and Bette Jane Kowalski (L) present a resolution to Marilyn Coplan of the Linden Public Library congratulating her on being named Library Trustee of the Year by the Libraries of Union County Consortium during a reception at the Linden Public Library. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the 2010 Teen Arts Traveling Exhibit is on display at the 20th District Legislative Office, 985 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, from now through November 15, during regular office hours.

The exhibit consists of 55 pieces of art selected from more than 700 visual art works shown at the 2010 Union County Teen Arts Festival held in March at Union County College in Cranford. The annual event is administered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks & Community Renewal.

“Each year I am amazed by the exceptional artwork submitted by the students,” said Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan. “I encourage everyone to get out and see this fun, lively exhibit as it goes on tour throughout Union County.”

For information about the Teen Arts program contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay service users should call 711 or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org

2010 TEEN ARTS EXHIBIT The exhibiting students are:

Berkeley Heights
Columbia MS: Eileen Hsieh
Governor Livingston HS:
Michelle Harpster
Emily Stecher
Kit Taylor
Clark
AL Johnson HS:
Alex Guarraci
Jahad Tucker
Mother Seton RHS: Alexandra Ravelo
Cranford
Cranford HS:
Jackie Labrutto
Corina Lupp
Rose Papandrea
Hillside Avenue School: Kevin Quigley
Orange Avenue School: Geddy Warner
St. Michael School: Bridget Duffy

Elizabeth
Benedictine Academy: Arielle Figueredo
Dr. Orlando Edreira: Hector Meneses
Elizabeth HS – Dwyer House: Vincente Gutama
Elizabeth HS – Edison House: Junior Perez
Elizabeth HS – Jefferson House: Su Samangie
Elizabeth HS – Upper Academy: Paula Paixao
Madison-Monroe School: Keyla Menendez
Nicholas S. LaCorte School: Ernesto Villalta
St. Mary of the Assumption: Elmi Ventura
T.C. Reilly School: Josmer Geronimo
William F. Halloran School: Emiliano Chirigliano
Woodrow Wilson School: Nathalie DeLaCruz

Hillside
Hillside Catholic Academy: Andre Perez
Hillside HS: Marc Tabin
Walter O. Krumbiegel MS: Tavianna Wilson
Kenilworth
David Brearley HS:
Kyle Clementi
Anthony Matos
Chinonye Uka
Linden
Linden HS: Tyron Howard
McManus MS: Jennifer Nary
Soehl MS: Francesse Dolbrice
Mountainside
Deerfield MS: Jodie Zheng
New Providence
New Providence HS: Sierra Bagish
New Providence MS: Emily Pooley
Plainfield
Cook School: Kayla Hemming
Hubbard MS: Aujai Sterling
Plainfield Academy of Arts: Lesley Orellana
Union County TEAMS:
Courtney Johnson
Joriana Machado
Roselle
Abraham Clark HS:
Pam Bennett
Isaac Thomas
Scotch Plains
Union County Vo-Tech: Esha Lezama
Springfield
FM Gaudineer MS: Kevin Wheat
Jonathan Dayton HS:
Alexa Perlstein
Remy Schneier
Summit
Oratory Preparatory School:
Timothy Kelly

Union
Union HS:
Patricia Badiola
Stephanie Branco

Westfield
Edison Intermediate School: Lucia Liu
Roosevelt Inter. School: Anna Centrella

Winfield
Winfield School: Dana Baldwin.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces a new Yoga program for teens living with disabilities. The program will take place weekly until mid-November at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

“The yoga classes for teens provide a variety of physical benefits, including deep relaxation,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Deborah Scanlon, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “We’re happy to add this program to the many fine classes and activities that the County of Union offers for people with disabilities.”

Teenagers ages 13-18 have the opportunity to learn yoga techniques that include body strengthening, flexibility and relaxation. Breath work will be taught as a tool to help calm the nervous system and clear the mind. These sessions will be held on Thursdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4 and 11, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The registration fee for these classes is $12. Yoga mats will be provided. Participants are asked not to eat for two hours before the program.

Pre-registration is required for the yoga classes. Register either at Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, every day from noon to 5 p.m.; or at the Union County Administration Building, Department of Parks and Community Renewal, 2nd floor, Elizabethtown Plaza at Rahway Avenue in Elizabeth, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. For more information about Union County-sponsored programs for people with disabilities, please call Margaret Heisey at 908-527-4806.

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – Does your organization have a marketing plan? Are you an individual artist seeking an identity plan? Whether you are cultivating new board members, welcoming returning supporters, meeting funders, or promoting your events or your work, you are marketing your organization and yourself.

A special workshop, “Promoting Yourself or Your Organization,” will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 27, to address your marketing needs. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Community Renewal, the program will take place from 5:45 to 9:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1391 Martine Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ.

“This interactive workshop will provide an overview of identity planning, marketing and branding, in addition to guiding you through the planning process,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “We’re looking forward to a lively and informative session.”

The workshop will be led by consultant Susan Schear, President of ArtIsIn, LLC. Ms. Schear draws on her years of corporate experience in working with arts and cultural organizations and arts-related entities. She will explain the importance of nonprofits using business strategies to survive and even grow during these uncertain times. Registrants are encouraged to bring a current marketing plan if they have one.

Networking opportunities will be provided at both the beginning and end of the workshop. This event is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State.

Registration, and a $10 fee, is required by Oct. 22. To request a brochure, to register or to learn about other programs, services and volunteer opportunities, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202; telephone 908-558-2550; email: culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ Relay users dial 711.

Union County, NJ – Virginia Pendergast of Clark holds her winning entry in the first annual Harvest Contest at the Union County MusicFest in September, with Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan (l) and Rutgers Agricultural Agent Madeline Dinardo (r). Supported by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder, the Harvest Contest celebrates the contributions of gardeners to the quality of life in Union County. Ms. Pendergast’s 1.44 pound entry won first prize for Heaviest Tomato. For gardening help or to become a certified Master Gardener volunteer, call the Rutgers Extension of Union County, 908-654-9854. (Photo: Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Alexander Mirabella (R) present a resolution to Plainfield Librarian Joseph Da Rold congratulating him for being chosen as the 2010 Librarian of the Year by the New Jersey Library Association. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Deborah Scanlon (L) and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Charley Flint of the YWCA of Eastern Union County proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Freeholders also congratulated the organization on its 90th anniversary. For more information about the YWCA of Eastern Union County, please visitwww.ywcaeuc.org. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Daniel Sullivan (L) and Freeholder Angel G. Estrada (R) present a resolution to Joe Haligowski congratulating him on receiving the “Maintenance Employee of the Year” award by the Council on Special Transportation for his dedicated service to the Union County Paratransit System. Union County employee Helen Kirsch received the “Administrative Employee of the Year” award. Kathy Carmello, Director of the Union County Paratransit System, accepted the resolution of Helen’s behalf.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)