Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – (12 pt.) Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to host a focus group for LGBT adults 55 years and older, presented by Garden State Equality as part of their ‘Pledge and Protect’ initiative.

Presented in collaboration with Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Services, Garden State Equality – New Jersey’s largest LGBT Organization – will facilitate a 90-minute focus group for LGBT adults 55 years or older on Friday, August 10, 2018 at Warinanco Sports Center in Warinanco Park, located at 1 Park Drive, Roselle. Space is limited.

Registration is required online at gardenstateequality.org/focusgroup_unioncounty.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to collaborate with organizations and stakeholders that share our commitment to recognize, advocate for and address the needs of LGBT older adults in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “With the immoral attacks on the LGBTQ community from the current administration in Washington, I believe that we – county, state and municipal elected officials – have to be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to support and protect our LGBTQ community in Union County and throughout the state.”

The focus group for LGBT older adults encourages those in the LGBT community to share their experiences and help identify the needs for housing and access to social and healthcare services.

Developed and administered by Garden State Equality’s Health & Wellness Coordinator, Bianca Chanel Mayes, the LGBT Older Adult Focus Groups are an essential part to developing a quality need assessment which Garden State Equality will distribute statewide in the future.

Garden State Equality is offering additional focus groups for LGBT older adults in five other counties throughout New Jersey. To find a focus group near you and register visit gardenstateequality.org./focusgroup. To qualify for these focus groups, you have to be age 55 or older as well as identify as LGBT. Garden State Equality can provide reasonable modifications for people with disabilities upon request. Please contact Bianca Mayes at Mayes@GardenStateEquality.org or call 973-509-5426.

“Sometimes the most effective route to change is by sharing stories of impacted individuals,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “These focus groups are an important opportunity for LGBT older adults to share their experiences and help identify needs and set priorities for programs and services to support LGBT older adults.”

Established as part of Chairman Granados’ 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives, the Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, is the first County government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey. It provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, serving as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/lgbtq.

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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 encouraging all residents to continue to participate in countywide scrap metal recycling initiatives that will be held throughout the rest of the summer.

Now is a particularly convenient time to recycle old household items as residents clean out before heading on vacation and prior to the start of the school year.

“Union County’s scrap metal program offers residents a chance to responsibly recycle various household items,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “When all County residents come together to reduce, reuse and recycle, we affirm our commitment to environmental stewardship and clean neighborhoods for all.”

Scrap metal recycling continues to run on the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month from April through November. There are two upcoming events: Thursday, August 2 and Saturday, August 18. Both events will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. concurrently at two sites: the Emergency Services Building at 151 Kenilworth Boulevard in Cranford and at the Park Service Yard at Rahway River Park in Rahway.

Dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, bicycles, tire rims, lawn furniture, stoves, washing machines and toasters are among the many acceptable items.

Residents are also encouraged to continue participating in their municipality’s regularly scheduled curbside recycling program. For more details on local curbside recycling visit the “Curbside Recycling” link at ucnj.org/recycling or contact a local recycling coordinator.

Union County residents can also sign up for Recycle Coach, a free app that makes it easy to keep up to date with countywide recycling information and municipal recycling schedules. For more information, visit ucnj.org/recycling/recycle-coach-app

Countywide recycling supports Chairman Granados’s Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” initiative for environmental engagement, education and empowerment.

For more details on all upcoming recycling events. visit ucnj.org/recycling or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities can be found at 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.

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Ammunition and fireworks accepted – August event only

“Mercury Bounty”$5.00 gift card for residents turning in mercury thermostats

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is offering a simple, easy way for everyone to pitch in and help the environment. Residents can safely dispose of unwanted household chemicals and other designated household items, from old mercury thermostats to automobile tires, by bringing these items to the next free Household Hazardous Waste recycling event on Saturday, August 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The event will take place at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus, at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

“The household hazardous waste program enables every Union County resident to make sure that household items containing toxic chemicals are safely and properly disposed,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “With everyone pitching in together, the result of our effort is safer homes and a cleaner environment for our families, friends and neighbors.”

Residents only need to drive to the site with their household special wastes and workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

The Union County Police Bomb Squad will also be on hand to collect unwanted ammunition and fireworks from residents.

The August 4 event continues Union County’s “Mercury Bounty” take back program through a partnership with the company Covanta. Covanta provides a $5.00 Home Depot gift card to any resident who turns in a mercury-containing thermostat.

“Covanta is proud to continue their partnership with Union County for this important mercury take back event,” said Covanta’s Director of Environmental Science and Community Affairs Kenneth Armellino.

Household hazardous waste accepted at the recycling event includes oil-based paint and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), and mercury switches.

Please note that latex, or water-based paints will not be accepted. Residents should dry the paint out and discard with their regular garbage.

Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted. There is a limit of eight automobile tires (without rims) per household.

The household hazardous waste collection will be held rain or shine for all Union County residents only, not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required.

For more information, call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. For a complete list of the materials that will be accepted on August 4th as well as all recycling event dates and locations, visit ucnj.org/recycle.

Union County’s recycling programs support the goals of “Chairman Granados’s 2018 Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” initiative for environmental stewardship and individual empowerment.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection at 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.

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 Students throughout Union County can toss their recyclables into new recycling bins this fall, thanks to a free distribution program administered by Union County and funded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. In all, 56 schools in nine municipalities received the bins.

“When students recycle in our schools, they learn lifelong lessons about environmental stewardship, taking responsibility, and making a positive impact on our planet,” said Chairman Freeholder Sergio Granados. “We are very proud to work with DEP and our local school districts to strengthen and enhance recycling programs in our schools.”

The nine municipalities receiving bins for their school districts are Berkeley Heights, Elizabeth, Hillside, Mountainside, New Providence, Rahway, Roselle Park, Springfield, and Summit.

“I believe we need to start at a young age in teaching children about recycling and going green,” said Chairman Granados. “Partnering up with our local school districts is one of the best ways to get them accustomed to a green lifestyle and inspire a new generation of leaders and innovators.”

The bin distribution follows a state-funded recycling program administered by Union County earlier this year, which provided grants to improve local recycling facilities.

Recycling supports the goals of Chairman Granados’s Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” initiative for engaging the public in conservation and environmental education.

The Freeholder Board also encourages all residents to sign up for “Recycle Coach,” a free app that makes it easier to stay up to date about countywide recycling information and municipal recycling schedules.

More information on the Recycle Coach app can be found at ucnj.org/recycling/recycle-coach-app.

For more details on all countywide recycling events, and contact information for municipal recycling coordinators, visit ucnj.org/recycling.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs can be found at https://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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the Workforce Innovation Business Center will host a hiring event for the company Traffic Plan. The company has openings for 50 traffic-flaggers to be stationed at various locations.

“The WIB Center is designed to streamline the hiring process, enabling top rated companies and qualified applicants to find each other more quickly,” said Union County Chairman Sergio Granados. “If you are a job seeker who enjoys working outdoors, plan on attending this upcoming hiring event for Traffic Plan.”

The WIB Center was established by the Freeholder Board in partnership with Union County College and the Union County Workforce Development Board. The WIB Center offers a professional staff, programs and facilities to help connect employers and job seekers.

The Traffic Plan hiring event will be held at Union County College’s Kellogg Building, at 40 West Jersey Street in Elizabeth on Wednesday, August 8 at 10:00 a.m.

The positions involve working outdoors and controlling traffic flow in and around worksites. These are union positions starting at $12.50 per hour. No experience is necessary, but applicants must have a valid New Jersey driver’s license.

Registration for the Traffic Plan event is required by visiting ucnj.org/jobs. Attendees should dress appropriately and bring a copy of their resume.

Since it was established in 2014, the WIB Center has worked with more than 100 employers to offer more than 3,800 new employment opportunities to Union County residents.

For more information about the Workforce Development Board, visit ucnj.org/wdb.

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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 – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to participate in the 2018 “Choose Your Cover” program, a free statewide skin cancer screening, awareness and educational initiative taking place on Saturday, August 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Clark Community Pool, 201 Oak Ridge Road in Clark.

The event is open to all, but pre-registration is required to schedule a free skin cancer screening.

“Summer is a great time to be outdoors but it’s extremely important to take smart precautions in order to prevent overexposure to the sun,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “I’d like to thank the Chronic Disease Coalition and the Township of Clark for raising public awareness about reducing skin cancer risks.”

To promote sun safety and help reduce the risk of skin cancer, personnel from the Union County Office of Health Management, Clark Health Department, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center will be on site for the August 18 event to provide free skin cancer screenings and help residents learn about the “Choose Your Cover” message.

The attendees who are pre-registered for a skin cancer screening will receive a special gift bag with skin cancer promotional materials, provided courtesy of the Clark Township Health Department.

Overexposure to the sun is a health risk for people of all ages and races. Before heading outdoors, a few simple precautions can protect your skin and lower your risk.

People who work or play outdoors, fair skinned people who sunburn easily, and those with a family history of melanoma are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer – the most common form of cancer in the United States.

“Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays is one of the most preventable risk factors for melanoma and all types of skin cancer. This is why it is so important to ‘choose your cover’ and reduce your risk accordingly,” said Chairman Granados.

The Choose Your Cover program offers these tips:

• Covering up exposed skin with long sleeve shirts and long pants in tightly woven fabrics can offer effective protection from the sun.
• Opt for a wide-brimmed hat over a baseball cap for better protection of your head, ears and neck.
• Wear sunglasses with 100 percent UVA and UVB absorption to protect the eyes from sun damage.
• Look for shady areas or avoid the sun, if possible, during the middle of the day when UV rays are the strongest.
• Remember to liberally apply a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and reapply frequently.
• Steer clear of indoor tanning beds. They are proven to increase risk for skin cancer.

To pre-register for a free skin cancer screening call the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-518-5620

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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 the Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center will host a hiring event for 30 sales positions at Victoria’s Secret, for its location at The Mills at Jersey Gardens.

“Since its inception in 2015, the WIB Center has worked with top rated companies to provide thousands of new employment opportunities for Union County residents, and we are looking forward to another successful hiring event,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

The Victoria’s Secret hiring event will be held at Union County College’s Kellogg Building, at 40 West Jersey Street in Elizabeth on Thursday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m.

Victoria’s Secret is currently looking for sales support associates starting at $12.00 per hour, with the possibility of moving to full time. The positions require availability on weekends.

Registration for this event is required by visiting ucnj.org/jobs. Attendees should dress appropriately and bring a copy of their resume.

The WIB Center was established by the Freeholder Board in partnership with Union County College and the Union County Workforce Development Board. The WIB Center offers a professional staff, programs and facilities designed to help employers in Union County connect with qualified job seekers.

For more information about the Workforce Development Board, visit ucnj.org/wdb.

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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 residents who are looking for a unique way to give back to the community can apply to volunteer with the Union County Rape Crisis Center. Volunteers at the Rape Crisis Center provide judgement-free guidance for victims of sexual violence through a phone hotline. They may also accompany victims in person, to help them navigate medical, legal and law enforcement issues.  

“Our Rape Crisis Center volunteers help victims of sexual violence take control of their situation by offering compassion, respect, and reliable guidance on victim’s rights and other aspects of advocacy,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “All too often those who experience sexual violence cannot rely on their own family or friends for support, but they can always rely on the Rape Crisis Center.”

The Rape Crisis Center is one of Union County’s longest-running volunteer programs. It has been part of the Union County Department of Human Services since 1984.

All volunteers are trained, mentored and supervised by professional staff from the Rape Crisis Center.

Volunteers must be Union County residents at least 18 years of age, with a valid driver’s license and their own vehicle.

No previous experience in counseling or related fields is required. The training program qualifies Rape Crisis Center volunteers for certification as Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates.

The next round of training sessions will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from September 11 through October 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

An interview is required before attending the training sessions. Union County residents who are interested in becoming Volunteer Advocates can contact the Rape Crisis Center now at 908-233-7273 to schedule an interview.

The Rape Crisis Center offices are located at the Colleen Fraser Building, at the Union County complex in Westfield.

For more information about the volunteer experience at the Rape Crisis Center call 908-233-7273 or visit the Rape Crisis Center blog, unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

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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.