Category: Public Info

On Monday, June 6th the Volunteers Guild of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital of Union County is having a spectacular sale of 100% Egyptian cotton sheets. Full, queen and king sizes will be available. The sale will be held in the facility’s multi-purpose room at 40 Watchung Way, Berkeley Heights. Sale hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. MasterCard, Visa, and Discovery cards will be accepted as well as checks and cash.

The public is invited to attend RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital product sales. A percentage of all purchases made at these sales is credited to the Volunteers Guild. Funds raised are used to enrich the lives of residents and patients by obtaining items that may include prizes for bingo games and paying for entertainment. The Guild, which makes product sales possible, also sponsors a holiday party/gift distribution in cooperation with the Berkeley Heights Lions Club.

“You can treat yourself to affordable luxury for your bedroom and support RUNNELLS residents and patients at the same time,” said Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh, RUNNELLS Freeholder liaison.

The Volunteers Guild and the Office of Volunteer Services of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital are always interested in recruiting volunteers. Flexible hours and a variety of opportunities exist with resident contact and performing other tasks. Anyone who wants more information should call the Office of Volunteer Services at 908-771-5847.

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (R) presents a resolution to Meals On Wheels Director Donna Sullivan (C) congratulating the organization on its 40th anniversary during the Senior Citizen Council of Union County’s 40th Annual Luncheon at L’Affaire in Mountainside. They are joined by Union County Division on Aging Director Fran Benson. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at https://ucnj.org

On Facebook at https://ucnj.org/facebook

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

Union County Department of Human Services competed successfully to achieve funding

Union County, NJ – Union County has received a significant new federal grant of $1,101,229 for a three-year program to assist homeless families with children in finding housing. The grant, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, was awarded based on Union County’s record of achievement in delivering effective housing assistance programs.

According to a January 2011 survey, there are 1,471 homeless people in Union County, 584 of whom are children.

“We want Union County families in financial distress to have, at the very least, a stable and healthy environment for their children,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “Working closely with local community organizations is the most efficient way to accomplish this goal, especially when federal and state budgets are being cut to the bone.”

The funding is part of a $16.2 million package of HUD grants recently awarded to New Jersey. The package targets locally-based projects that have not received federal funding in the past.

Union County will use its share to fund a three-year homeless family placement program, which will be operated by the YMCA of Eastern Union County. It will consist of 14 units of leased housing for families with children.

In addition, last January Union County received a grant of more than $3 million from HUD to extend 21 current housing assistance projects for another year. These are operated by Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services, Community Access Unlimited, Homefirst, Inc., YMCA of Eastern Union County, YWCA of Eastern Union County, and Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless.

The Union County Department of Human Services works closely with these community organizations to submit a joint application to HUD each year, to apply for funding.

“We provide HUD with a detailed, comprehensive account of Union County’s needs and resources across the board,” said Frank Guzzo, Director of the Union County Department of Human Services. “This high degree of professionalism and cooperation enables Union County to obtain additional funding for vital programs on a competitive basis.”

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal announce an interesting lecture for adults at Trailside Nature & Science Center: “Lighthouses of New Jersey.”

On Thursday, May 19, from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., adults 18 and older will be whisked away to coastal New Jersey by author Trish Chambers as she shares information on the 11 New Jersey lighthouses featured in her book, “The New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge.”

“This intriguing lecture on the lighthouses of New Jersey, part of the Adult Workshop Series, demonstrates Trailside’s commitment to provide interesting topics for adults,” said Freeholder Daniel Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “It also is an opportunity for adults to better understand New Jersey history and some of the Garden State’s most iconic symbols: its lighthouses.”

The audience will be treated to stories and folklore surrounding each lighthouse, along with the family histories of the keepers of the lights. Through Trish’s engaging presentation, the audience will hear about a unique annual event, when lighthouse enthusiasts visit all of the lighthouses accessible to the public in one weekend.

Pre- registration is required for this lecture and the fee is $8 per person for Union County residents and $10 per person for out-of-county participants. To register for this lecture, or for information about any other programs or upcoming events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit us at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Union County, NJ – The One-Stop Career Centers of Union and Middlesex Counties have joined forces to staff a Job Fair on Friday, May 20th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Atrium of Union County College, 1000 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, NJ.

Fed Ex, NJ Transit and Wakefern Corporation will be among the more than 20 employers stationed in the Campus Center Atrium ready to receive resumes and speak with job seekers. There is no charge for any part of the Job Fair, courtesy of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“This Job Fair was set in motion following the layoff of more than 1,000 workers from Woodbridge Logistics/C&S Grocery Haulers, including employees from A&P and Pathmark stores” said Deborah P. Scanlon, Chair of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “Many of those laid off live in Union County; however, this Job Fair is open to anyone seeking employment in the Union and Middlesex County areas.”

In addition to the Middlesex County One-Stop, other Job Fair partners include the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJLWD); Middlesex County College; Union County College; Union and Middlesex County Workforce Investment Boards (WIB); and, many other community resource agencies such as United Way of Greater Union County; the Middlesex County Division of Social Services; the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Social Services; and NJHELPS.

One-Stop and NJLWD staff will conduct workshops in both English and Spanish in job search strategies and resume writing. Computers and separate classroom space will also be available for one-on-one help and employment centered workshops.

The One-Stop Center is a free service open to all Union County residents that need assistance with every aspect of career enhancement. If you need a job or are looking to improve your skills, the One Stop is the place to get a great start.

The One-Stop’s free services include help with resume preparation, job search and interview skills. Among the Center’s free training programs are basic computer skills in Microsoft Word and Excel, cooking and food preparation, retail and customer service, teacher’s assistant training, CDL licensing for bus drivers, truck driving, and forklift operator certification.

The One-Stop also provides free programs for learning English, and for obtaining a high school graduate equivalency diploma (GED).

In addition, One-Stop works closely with employers to match them with job seekers. This includes training and education programs in partnership with local businesses and Union County College. One-Stop assists employers with recruitment, customized training, job fairs, and business seminars, and provides technical assistance including site location, demographic and transportation information.

For Union County residents who dream of starting their own business, One-Stop offers Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) and entrepreneurial training programs. Special programs are also available to assist youth, military veterans, the disabled, and workers age 55 and older.

The Elizabeth One-Stop Center serves Elizabeth, Hillside, Kenilworth, Roselle, Roselle Park, Springfield, Union (including Vauxhall), and Winfield. For more information on the Elizabeth One-Stop Center, please call 908-558-8000. Another Union County One-Stop Center at 200 West Second Street in Plainfield serves residents of Berkeley Heights, Clark, Cranford, Fanwood, Garwood, Mountainside, New Providence, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Summit, and Westfield . For more information on the Plainfield One-Stop Center, please call 908-757-9090. For information on the Job Fair please call MaryAnn Anderson, Director, Union County One-Stop at 908.757.9090.

The Union County One-Stop Career Centers are operated by the Union County Department of Human Services, Workforce Development Operations, serving Union County job seekers and employers for 30 years.

Job Fair at Union County College Set for May 20th

33-year-old Newark man was father of two young children

UNION, NJ—A 33-year-old Newark man and father of two was killed around 8 a.m. this morning in a work accident at Lenape Park in Union when a six-ton roller he was operating toppled down a shallow embankment.

The man was identified as Segundo Padilla, an employee of J.A. Alexander Inc. , a Bloomfield, NJ construction company. He was smoothing part of a 1.45 mile path of the East Coast Greenway link in Union County on the border between Union and Kenilworth. Padilla leaves behind a wife and two young children.

“On behalf of the County of Union, I extend our deepest sorrow and sympathy to the Padilla family,” Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon said. “This is a horrible tragedy and our prayers are with his family in this time of loss.”

The accident occurred along a stretch of trail to be constructed eventually through Lenape and Black Brook Parks that will pass through sections of Cranford, Kenilworth, Springfield and Union. Padilla had smoothed over approximately500 feet of trail off Springfield Road and into Lenape Park when the Ingersoll Rand roller he was operating apparently toppled off an edge. His body was discovered by fellow employees who notified Union County Police and the Kenilworth Fire Department, which assisted in the extrication.

Union County Police and the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the incident to determine whether he was wearing a seat belt. An autopsy will be conducted sometime later today by the Union County Medical Examiner to confirm the cause of death.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to offer two unique evening programs for families with children at the Trailside Nature and Science Center this spring.

“The Dusk to Dark Evening Family Programs are a wonderful opportunity for families to experience the beautiful Watchung Reservation while learning interesting facts about nature and wildlife,” said Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

At the Dusk Hike on Wednesday, May 18, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., families with children ages 5 and up can join a Trailside Naturalist to explore fields and forests as the sun sets behind the Watchung Mountains, using their “owl eyes” and spot tree houses, burrows, nests and other homes and hideouts of local wildlife. The fee is $6.00 per person for Union County residents and $7.00 per person for out-of-county residents, and pre-registration is required.

In Fun with Frogs on Wednesday, June 8, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, families with children ages 6 and up (sorry, no younger siblings permitted) will learn how to identify these amazing amphibians which breathe through their skin and sing at night, including spring peepers, frogs and toads. The evening starts with a presentation at the Trailside Center and culminates with a carpool trip to a nearby wetland to search for frogs, tadpoles and toads using special dip nets. The fee is $7.00 per person for Union County residents and $8.00 per person for out-of-county residents. This program is rain or shine and participants should wear shoes that can get wet. Pre-registration is required.

To pre-register or get more information call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside, in the Watchung Reservation.

Union County, NJ – Families with children can get closer to wildlife during Dusk to Dark Evening Family programs offered by Trailside Nature and Science Center. A Dusk Hike will take place on May 18 to spot the homes and hideaways of local wildlife, and Fun with Frogs on June 8 includes a search for frogs, tadpoles and toads at a nearby wetland. To register or to get information on other upcoming programs and events call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside, in the Watchung Reservation. (both photos: Union County/Trailside Nature and Science Center)

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – The Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Master Tree Stewards of Union County recently visited the Berkeley Heights Public Library with leaf rubbings, tree artifacts, guessing games, and more for children and parents. Supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Master Tree Stewards are trained volunteers who help thousands of Union County children learn about trees and tree care each year. To become a Master Tree Steward, contact 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz, 908-654-9854 ornichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.

More information is available at the Union County website, www.ucnj.org. Pictured (l-r): Stewards Dolores Batz- Culp, Ken Ilgaviziz, and Ann Cusack, helper Lucia Pizarro, Steward Mary Lou Mayfield, Children’s Librarian Laura Fuhro, Steward Linda Howe, Library Director Stephanie Bakos, and Steward Tina Helmstetter (not pictured: Steward Peggy Dendinger).

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

President Obama and Vice President Biden Welcome
and Address Group About Importance of Counties

WASHINGTON DC—Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada was invited among a select group of County officials nationwide for a briefing on Tuesday with President Obama, Vice President Biden and various high ranking officials and heads of state.

The National Association of Counties/ White House event, which lasted nearly five hours, included presentations and question and answer sessions on issues such as “Breaking the cycle of jails and poverty: a County perspective,” “Infrastructure and Sustainable communities,” “Health Reform implementation and Medicaid,” workforce development programs, Social Services Block grants, and Community Services Block Grant programs.

“Many County officials were on the same page on most issues,” Estrada said. “White House officials were very informative on each issue, answered a lot of questions and listened to what we had to say. There was an excellent exchange of ideas and opinions.”

Estrada noted that President Obama received a standing ovation in light of the successful efforts to capture and kill Osama Bin Laden, and briefly spoke about the efforts.

Both Obama and Biden spoke about County budget challenges, and about County Government’s role in improving economic growth and innovation and “winning the future.”

Estrada added that while all topics were of great interest to County policy makers, two in particular—discussion on the Ryan Budget for Medicaid (which would shift costs to states and Counties), and funding for a wide range of programs that assist the mentally ill, indigent and minor drug offenders—were timely concerns for Union County.

White House Cabinet members at the meeting included Janet Napolitano, secretary of Homeland Security, Shaun Donovan, secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of Health and Human Services, and Ray LaHood, secretary of the Department of Transportation, and Lisa P. Jackson, administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency.

LaHood told officials about the possibility of Tiger 3, a nationwide infrastructure program, high speed rail and green jobs, while Jeanne Lambrew, a Deputy Assistant to the President for Health policy, gave a thorough presentation on health reform, Estrada said.

Estrada was one of three County officials from the state of New Jersey who attended Tuesday’s event. The others were Freeholder Louis N. Magazzu of Cumberland County and Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

In 1971, a small group of people concerned for the welfare of homebound seniors set out to make a difference and formed what would become Meals on Wheels, Inc. (MOW). They arranged for volunteers to deliver five meals weekly to homebound seniors in Union County. The meals were prepared in the kitchen of St. Elizabeth Hospital. This was the modest beginning of a wonderful organization that continues to positively impact the lives of vulnerable Union County residents.

Meals on Wheels, Inc., headquartered in Linden, is a private non-profit agency which prepares and delivers meals to homebound seniors (60 or older) who are unable to provide for themselves because of illness or physical disability. This program aids individuals in maintaining a degree of independence. It can also promote an earlier discharge from a hospital stay for those who may be convalescing but are unable to cook or continue their diet. A thorough home assessment is completed on each prospective client to determine nutritional needs and eligibility for the program.

Today Meals on Wheels, Inc., prepares and delivers more than 400,000 nutritious meals annually to both private homes and congregate dining sites in Union County. The hot, midday meal consists of an entrée, vegetables, starch, bread, dessert and milk. The meals are low in sodium and contain at least 1/3 of the minimum daily nutritional requirements for adults.

The County of Union provides MOW with a fleet of 20 vehicles, including 4 Hotshots designed to keep the food hot and cold, and a facility fitted with a modern kitchen and office.

The program is primarily supported by a generous grant from the Union County Division on Aging, as well as donations from private sources and public organizations. Clients are asked to contribute voluntary donations. However, no participant is denied service due to inability to donate.

Meals on Wheels’ Executive Director, Donna Sullivan of Cranford, has been with the organization for 26 years. MOW has a dedicated staff of 44 and a volunteer Board of Directors. Two directors, John Surmay of Elizabeth, and Rosemary Cuccaro of Westfield, have served on the Board continuously from the very beginning. Current Board President Martine Cohen, Esq., said: “MOW is a remarkable organization. It touches many lives and fulfills an essential function, especially in these trying times. MOW provides a critical safety net when there is nowhere else to turn to. Congratulations to Donna and her staff!”

As 2011 marks 40 years of service to Union County, Meals on Wheels, Inc., plans to honor the occasion with celebrations throughout the year. If you would like to know more about the organization or might be interested in volunteering or making a donation, call 908-486–5100.