Category: Public Info

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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

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.

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Union County, NJ – Students ages 12 to 16 are invited to “Youth Chella,” a silent party scheduled for Friday, August 16 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Union County’s Watchung Reservation at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

Admission and refreshments are free with the donation of a snack item. The donations will be provided to students in the County’s juvenile probation program.

“Youth Chella is a unique new recreation activity that enables teens to experience the popular ‘silent party’ trend in the beautiful setting of the Watchung Reservation, while also giving back to the community and supporting their peers,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

The idea for Youth Chella came from student members of the Union County Youth Board, who were inspired by the opportunity to link the silent party trend with outdoor music festivals like Coachella and others.

In a silent party, there is no sound system. Instead, participants are provided with wireless headphones that broadcast music via a radio transmitter.

“Silent parties enable people to enjoy great music and interact with each other, without having to shout over high-volume speakers,” said Chairman Granados. “We hope that the Youth Chella experience will encourage teens to come out to our County parks for more healthy outdoor activities.” 

Pre-registration for Youth Chella is required online at ucnj.org/youth. Participants must be ages 12-18 and bring their school identification.

Participants may also bring blankets, lawn chairs and umbrellas. Free parking is available at the Trailside parking lot and nearby at the Loop playground.

Members of the Youth Board work to create events that engage their peers in fun, safe and purpose-driven activities, helping to strengthen community bonds and promote health awareness, life skills, leadership, employment and academic achievement.

For more information about the Youth Board call the Union County Division of Youth Services at 908-558-2520 or visit ucnj.org/youth.

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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, NJ – Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Angela R. Garretson visited students and teachers at the Future Leaders Excelling in Entrepreneurship and Knowledge (F.L.E.E.K) Summer Youth Enrichment Program at The Patrick School in Hillside earlier this week. They were joined by Nathalie Hernandez, the Coordinator of the Union County Office of Community Engagement & Diversity, which provided support.

“These young people are eager to learn, explore, and plan for the future,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Freeholder Board is proud to sponsor F.LE.E.K. as part of the “Plant a Seed” community education and empowerment goals of my 2018 Chairman’s Initiative, Moving Union County Forward, which includes expanding opportunities for STEM studies. The F.L.E.E.K. program is a wonderful example of the difference enrichment programs can make, and I would like to thank all who are involved in making it a success.”

The F.LE.E.K. program is sponsored and partnered with Microsoft, Google, ShopRite, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Tapinto.net Hillside and OMG Photography in addition to the Freeholder Board.

“Through this partnership, more than 50 students will benefit from an enriching program that exposes them to business, life skills and STEM topics as well as creative subjects including photography, videography, and dance,” said F.L.E.E.K. co-founder Makeba Green.  “I would like to thank all of our sponsors for providing our youth with this powerful opportunity to build a strong foundation for academic and career success.”

F.L.E.E.K is designed to help expose students to the arts and STEM topics while preparing them with the academic skills they need to succeed to the next level. For more information visit online at fleekcorp.com or call Ebrima N’Dure, 201-539-0709.

For information about coordinating community events, programs and volunteer opportunities with the Office of Community Engagement and Diversity, members of the public can contact Nathalie Hernandez at 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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – A group of student volunteers from the Mitzvah Mania youth community service program visited the Deserted Village of Feltville last month, but not to search for ghosts. They were there to plant spruce trees and pine trees as part of a Union County Adopt-a-Park project.

“Our Adopt-a-Park volunteers play a big role in our County parks, and the Mitzvah Mania students worked hard to plant trees, remove weeds and invasive species, and prune back vegetation in the area around Masker’s Barn,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “They did a great job giving back to the community, and thanks to their efforts this popular site will continue to be an attractive haven for visitors and for nature conservation, too.”

Mitzvah Mania is a program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Metro West NJ. It  provides students from age 12 to 16 with opportunities to organize and lead hands-on community service projects in Union, Essex, Morris, Northern Somerset and Sussex counties.

The Deserted Village of Feltville is a 19^th century mill town located within Union County’s Watchung Reservation. It was largely abandoned throughout much of the 20^th century, leading to local speculation about ghosts and spirits. Restoration work in recent years includes the renovation of Masker’s Barn, which has become a popular setting for weddings and other events.

Each year, hundreds of Adopt-a-Park volunteers work on beautification and nature conservation projects in the Watchung Reservation and other Union County parks. Any individual or group can join. For more information visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation or call 908-789-3683.

To book an event at Maskers’ Barn visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation/deserted-village.

For quick links to Union County’s environmental programs, activities and volunteer opportunities visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

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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.