The Union County Board of County Commissioners in conjunction with the Union County Department of Human Services’ Division of Children and Youth Services will participate in a Global Youth Service Day on April 28, 2023. This program is a coordinated national event where youth worldwide conduct community service projects and activities that benefit their communities.
“Here in Union County, we advocate for service and giving back, so as part of my 2023 Chairman’s Initiatives, “Building a Stronger Union County,” Global Youth Service Day falls in line perfectly with that,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “A big part of who we are is reaching out to the community, donating or providing assistance to those in need. This particular day offers an opportunity for young people to find their voice, take action, and make a positive impact in their communities.”
This year, Union County Youth will participate in the day of service category: Hunger Projects. With full support from the Mayors and officials of the participating municipalities, the Division of Children and Youth Services is partnering with several cities and high schools to organize snack collection sites where youth and their families can drop off donated items.
A collection is being taken for snacks, juice and water – all items should not have to be refrigerated. All donations will be collected and distributed to youth who attend programming in the new Union County Community Drop-In Centers (UCCDIC), which will soon be launched at four sites throughout the county, including: Roselle, Rahway, Plainfield, and Hillside. UCCDIC will offer youth, ages ten (10) to eighteen (18), positive youth development programming to engage young people in productive activities where their options may otherwise be limited.
The following municipalities are collecting donations on April 28th only:
Roselle Borough Hall
210 Chestnut Street, Roselle
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Plainfield City Hall
515 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Plainfield Fire Department
315 Central Avenue, Plainfield
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Plainfield Police Department
200 E 4th St, Plainfield
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Rahway City Hall
1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Division of Children & Youth Services
1143-1145 East Jersey Street, Elizabeth
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Union County Administration Building
10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Union County Colleen Frasier Building
300 North Ave E, Westfield
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Additionally, there are over 20 youth who are doing their own drives outside of their respective schools in support of the community service project.
For more information, please contact Marcela Nunez, Assistant Director, Union County Division of Children and Youth Services, at 908-558-2532 or nnunez@ucnj.org.