Category: Public Info

Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen, a New Jersey Connect Trustee, announced that the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County is collaborating with New Jersey Connect to build a new home for a disabled veteran and family as part of an initiative called “Habitat for Heroes.”   Interested families are being sought for the upcoming application period, launching in September 2015.

Two local Nonprofits Seek Interested Families for upcoming “Habitat for Heroes” Project

Two local nonprofits continue the collaboration to begin a joint project.  Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County with New Jersey Connect will partner to build a new home for a disabled veteran and family for an initiative called “Habitat for Heroes.”   Interested families are being sought for the upcoming application period, launching in September 2015.

“We are excited to partner with New Jersey Connect and grateful to them for committing the initial funding of $50,000,” said Rev. Jeremy Montgomery, Executive Director of Greater Plainfield Habitat for Humanity. “We will be honored to work together alongside a disabled veteran and his or her family to provide an accessible and barrier-free home.”

New Jersey Connect was founded in 1994 by local Westfield resident Elisa Sananman to address the housing needs of people with physical disabilities, who can direct their own care yet seek accessible, non-institutional housing.  Fostering independent living and respect for individuality is the core philosophy behind the mission of the nonprofit organization.

“I am proud to work with these two outstanding organizations on this wonderful initiative,” commented Union County Freeholder Vice-Chairman Bruce Bergen, a New Jersey Connect Trustee. “Giving a disabled veteran the opportunity to purchase a barrier–free, affordable home is one substantive way to show our appreciation for the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep our nation safe.”

As is required of all new Habitat homeowners, veterans selected to partner with “Habitat for Heroes” will repay zero-interest loans covering the costs of new home.  Loan amounts will be determined on a sliding scale based on the veteran’s income to ensure affordability for the veteran’s family.   The program works to help veterans get back on their feet and live their lives with dignity, respect, and a feeling of community.

Affordable housing solutions for veterans and military members have become a priority in U.S. policy over the recent years, and Habitat for Humanity is a leading organization in providing solutions.  In fact, more than 45% of veterans need help finding a job and 37% of veterans need help finding housing.  Habitat for Humanity engages veterans as volunteers, homeowners and employees through their Repair Corps program, an initiative funded by The Home Depot Foundation to help repair, renovate or construct the homes of U.S. veterans.

“This is our small way to give back to those who have sacrificed so much,” describes Charles Newman, President of New Jersey Connect and Director Union County Office for the Disabled.  “Working with the sterling reputation of Habitat for Humanity, our new ‘Habitat for Heroes’ initiative can turn tragic times for our community’s disabled veterans into hopeful futures.”

For more information on the “Habitat for Heroes” project, view the interactive website of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County at www.gphabitat.org.  Interested families should fill out the “Housing Interest Form” for receive email updates and notifications of future application deadlines.

 

About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County

Founded over 26 years ago, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is committed to improving the lives of low-income families by helping them build and buy their own simple, decent homes.  Habitat offers families a hand up, not a hand out.  Every partner family devotes at least 200 hours per adult of sweat equity to help build their home or a neighbor’s home and secures a 0% mortgage provided by Habitat.  To date, thirty‐nine homes locally have been built totally by volunteer labor using donations of money and materials from the community – with seven homes under construction in the coming year.  To volunteer, donate, or own a Habitat home, visit www.gphabitat.org.

 

RAHWAY, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a free technical assistance workshop about intellectual property laws for visual artists, historians, musicians, performers, and writers will be offered in Rahway on Wednesday evening, June 24^th. The free workshop will be presented by Joey Novick, Esq., the Executive Director of the New Jersey Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (NJVLA).

“Intellectual property laws are important to historians, novelists, poets, and anyone involved in the visual or performing arts,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “This workshop will help writers and artists understand how to protect their creations from infringement.”

The workshop will take place Wednesday, June 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Stage of Rahway, 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway, NJ 07065.

Individual artists will be able to explore general and specific questions about intellectual property laws, including topics such as copyright and trademark. For example, artists may actually retain the rights to their image after they have sold their piece of art.

The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, in the Department of Parks and Recreation, is presenting this workshop, which 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.

There is no charge for the workshop but pre-registration is required. To register for the workshop or learn about other programs, services and volunteer opportunities, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07202. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711. The e-mail address is culturalinfo@ucnj.org. Assistive services are available on request in advance. Click here to register online.

 

 

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a new Whole Foods supermarket is opening this August in Clark, creating 200 new jobs in Union County covering all areas of retail food operations. The positions will be filled through the County’s new Workforce Innovation Business (WIB) Center, which was established earlier this year at the Mills at Jersey Gardens.

Applications are being accepted from now until July 10. Interested applicants must come in person to the WIB Center at the Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapkowski Road in Elizabeth.

“The WIB Center is one of my Chairman’s Initiatives for 2015, and it has already far exceeded my expectations,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The word has spread fast: Union County employers can quickly and easily access a pool of skilled, qualified job seekers by working with the experienced staff at our WIB Center.”

The WIB Center builds on the success of Union County’s One-Stop Career Centers, and on the Freeholder Board’s partnership with Union County Community College. Through this rapidly growing relationship, job seekers can access training and other career services that help match them with prospective employers.

“Whole Foods is known for promoting from within, so this is a great opportunity for Union County residents to build a career with a top quality, nationally recognized employer,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is the Freeholder Board’s liaison to the Workforce Investment Board. “The Freeholder Board is committed to helping as many residents as possible reach their employment goals, by listening to their needs and working closely with our community partners.”

For the Whole Foods partnership, Union County is providing promotional assistance as well as support staff and space at the WIB Center, where the company will conduct training and orientation for its new hires on a rolling basis starting on July 1.

Later in July, Whole Foods will use the Kellogg Building at Union County College’s Elizabeth campus for a final orientation event involving all of the new hires.

The WIB Center is funded by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Workforce Investment Board, a public-private stakeholder partnership that designs and implements strategically focused policies leading to job creation.

Among other activities so far this year, the WIB Center has worked with the top national employer AirServ to organize pools of qualified applicants to fill a total of 350 positions for ground services at Newark-Liberty International Airport.

Job applicants who need more information about the Whole Foods hiring process can contact the WIB Center at 908-355-4444 or isaias.rivera@ucc.edu.

Business owners and managers who are interested in working with the Union County Workforce Investment Board can visit the County website for more information, at ucnj.org/wib.

#  #

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

 

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen (2nd L) joined U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (4th L), Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (L), Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman (3rd L), YMCA Board of Directors President Joseph R. Venezia (4th R) and other officials at the ribbon cutting officially opening the Gateway Family YMCA Rahway Branch on Irving Street. The $3.4 million, 16,938 square foot renovation provides expanded opportunities for The Gateway Family YMCA to further the YMCA’s mission and address the unique needs of the Rahway community. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Freeholders Angel G. Estrada and Sergio Granados present Portugal Day Committee President Carla Rodrigues with a check on behalf of the Freeholder Board at Friday’s flag raising.

 

UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the 2015 Teen Arts Touring Exhibit is on display through June 29^th at the Les Malamut Gallery in the Union Public Library, located at 1980 Morris Avenue in Union.

The exhibit consists of 60 pieces of art selected from more than 650 visual art works shown at the 2015 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 and Recreation.

“The artwork in this exhibit is exceptional. The fact that the artists are teenagers makes the show even more outstanding,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “I encourage everyone to get out and see this fun, lively exhibit as it goes on tour throughout Union County.”

The Les Malamut Gallery is located on the lower level of the Union Public Library. The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular library hours. It is handicapped accessible and adjacent parking is available.

For further information about the Gallery, visit: lesmalamutartgallery.wordpress.com/ or call 908-851-5450. Artists wishing to be considered for an exhibit in the Gallery can contact the curator Barbara Wirkus at dmbbw33@yahoo.com or 908-276-6656.

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.

The exhibiting students are:         

Clark

Mother Seton Regional High School 

Waverly Banks

Gabriella Luna

 

Cranford

Cranford High School 

Sabrina Huwang

Kristen Orsini

Naomi Lee

Cranford Achievement Program

Kelly Ryan

Nathaniel Reyes

Hillside Avenue School  

Alec Duerr

Orange Avenue School

Jacqueline Smith

 

Elizabeth

Abraham Lincoln School:  Valentina Cardenas

Benedictine Academy:  Angelika Zarzecka

Benjamin Franklin School:  Alma Cardona

Christopher Columbus School:  Kandy Torres

Dr. Orlando Edreira School:  Christopher Cruz

Duarte-Marti School:  Roque Bahian

EHS-Edison Academy:  Rommel Varela

EHS-Dwyer Academy:  Theocita Allen

EHS-Halsey Academy:  Roger Veloz

EHS-Lower Academy:  Allison Marcias

EHS-Upper Academy 

Evelyn Altamirano

Catarina DaSilva

EHS-Jefferson Academy 

Briana Calderine

Inorys Vila

            Andrea Arias

Elmora School:  Susej Monroy

iPrep Academy:  Carlyani DelValle

Marquis de Lafayette School:  Angelica Bautista

Madison-Monroe School:  Valentina Henao

Nicholas M. Butler School:  Najiyah Ishmael

Nicholas S. LaCorte School:  Noely Solorzano

Ronald Reagan Academy:  Vanessa Herrera

T.C. Reilly School:  Maria Dilandro

Victor Mravlag School:  Alexandra Riascos

William F. Halloran School:  Sadie Vizcaino

Woodrow Wilson School:  Geraldine Castano

 

Hillside           

Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School 

Vanessa Ejiofor

 

Kenilworth                  

David Brearley HS:

Derek Hernandez

Timothy Balke

Salvatore Gorka

 

 Linden            

Linden HS 

Adrianna Rendon

McManus MS 

Patrycja Komajda

Soehl MS 

Fatimat Mahmoud

 

Mountainside              

Deerfield MS 

Emily Berkow

 

New Providence                   

New Providence HS 

Rebecca Pappas

Catherine Sander

New Providence MS 

Liana Hawkins

 

Plainfield                     

Plainfield Academy of Arts 

Gelinis Cepeda

Sebastian Nunez

            Jeremy Medina

Queen City Academy 

Yousra Belgaid

 

Roselle           

Abraham Clark HS 

Agape Deleon

Mireya Lopez

Grace Wilday Jr. HS 

Ria Bhattacharya

 

Scotch Plains               

Union County Vo-Tech 

Samra Shakeel

Dana Tokarzewski

 Julie Kim

Hillcrest Academy 

Alina Alvarez

 

Springfield                

FM Gaudineer MS

Sadi Lowy

 

Summit                        

Oratory Preparatory

Giovanni Martinetti

Paul Moyer

 

Union               

Union HS 

Lucero Lopez

Lianna Cardoso

 

-end-

 

Union County, NJ  –  On Saturday morning June 6, Union County residents and visitors can enjoy a “Reservation Ramble” through the Watchung Reservation with an expert naturalist, and then stay to help spruce up a section of trail. It’s all in celebration of National Trails Day. Pictured here are volunteers celebrating National Trails Day in Union County last year. To sign up in advance today, call 908-789-3683 or email bkelly@ucnj.org. Drop-in participants are welcome, just meet up at the Deserted Village at 8:45 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday June 6 (use the parking lot off Cataract Hollow Road and walk down to the general store). 

#  #

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

 

Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen joined Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Christopher Hudak and County Manager Alfred Faella in honoring several individuals for the Boy Scout Lifetime Achievement Award including Union County employees Daniel J. Bernier, Merritt M. Duffy, Bruce D. Linger, Jonathan Phillips and Karen E. Positan. Photos by John Roman/County of Union.

 

Union County, NJ – Extreme weather events like Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy have brought renewed calls to resolve chronic flooding issues in the Rahway River Basin, particularly in Cranford and Rahway as well as Springfield and Union. Members of the public are urged to lend their voices to this effort by attending an information meeting conducted by state and federal officials, hosted by the Union County Freeholder Board and the Mayors’ Council on Rahway River Watershed Flood Control.

The meeting will take place in the Roy E. Smith Theatre at Union County College, 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford on Monday, June 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

“The science shows that extreme storms are becoming more frequent and intense, and our experience here in Union County confirms it,” said Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The time is now to take meaningful action that protects our neighborhoods while enabling Union County to keep growing.” 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection have been working to develop solutions for flooding in Union and Essex counties with a particular focus centered on Cranford and Rahway, in the form of the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study.

At the June 15 meeting, representatives from both agencies will present their findings and discuss their progress toward preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed solutions. Representatives from the Mayors’ Council on Rahway River Watershed Flood Control will also attend.

The meeting is designed to enable members of the public to comment on flooding issues and the impacts of proposed solutions, to be included in the final Environmental Impact Statement.

At the meeting, information will also be solicited on natural resources in the Rahway River Basin, including wildlife, plant life and wetland habitats.

“I want to emphasize that during this preliminary phase, several different options are being explored,” said Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski. “Especially if you live in flood areas, please come to the meeting and get your ideas and concerns on record.”

The meeting agenda will be:

7:00 – 7:30, Informational Poster Board Session and Information Exchange.

7:30 – 8:00, Formal Informational Presentation

8:00 – 9:00, Informational Poster Board Session and Information Exchange

Details on the alternatives are available on the Army Corps of Engineers website, usace.mil.

For more information on the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study, contact Ms. Rifat Salim, Project Manager, Rifat.Salim@usace.army.mil or 917-790-8215.

#  #

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

 

 

Union County, NJ – The public will have a unique chance to experience the hidden side of Union County parks as the 11^th annual Bio-Blitz unfolds from 5:00 p.m. on Friday June 12 to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday June 13, in the Watchung Reservation. Bio-Blitz is a 24-hour, ‘round the clock nature survey that tallies up hundreds of plant and animal species each year, most of which are hidden away from the public eye.

“This year we are introducing some new activities to make Bio-Blitz more exciting – and informative – than ever before,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “If you are curious about the many different plants, animals and insects that populate our parks, come to Bio-Blitz and get acquainted with some neighbors you may have never seen before.”

While the survey teams are at work, visitors can observe them in action and participate in unique nature activities, including four Bio-Blitz “firsts:”

• Catch a demonstration of the exiting outdoor treasure-hunting game of geocaching, conducted by the Northern NJ Cachers
• Join a meditative labyrinth walk and get a free introduction to the gentle art of yoga (and receive a free gift, too), from SKY Yoga of Fanwood.
• Enjoy a free instructional session on nature photography by professional nature photographer David DesRochers.
• Enter for a chance to win a guided tour of the Pine Barrens, conducted by noted ecologist Emile DeVito of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation (visit the Rahway Watershed Association exhibit for details).

Many longtime Bio-Blitz favorite activities are also returning this year. During the day, drop in on a live hawk and owl exhibit, forage for edibles, tour the Deserted Village of Feltville and observe survey teams in the field, among other activities.

As the sun goes down, join a guided “sitting circle” to watch for wildlife and listen to nature’s twilight concert. Stay after dark for the famous “Owl Prowl,” night-time insect trapping, and a star watching session.

The staging area for all the Bio-Blitz action is “Bio-Blitz Central,” located near the Trailside Nature & Science Center at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

Bio-Blitz Central features exhibits, displays, prizes, giveaways and free nonstop fun for all ages including “Bio-Blitz Bingo,” hands on activities at the Junior Naturalist Tent, and native plants for sale from the Toadshade Wildflower Farm, which will also give away one free plant to a lucky prizewinner.

At Bio-Blitz Central visitors can also watch – and sometimes assist – scientists as they examine and catalogue their findings.

Free parking is available on site and at the nearby Loop field and playground area.

Individuals, families, and groups such as Scouts can sign up for scheduled activities when they arrive at Bio-Blitz Central (no other pre-registration is required).

In addition to the donated prizes and activities listed above, Bio-Blitz is generously supported by Shoprite of Clark, Starbucks of Westfield, Whole Foods of Union, Jenkinson’s Aquarium of Point Pleasant, Staten Island Zoo, Rahway River Watershed Association, Wild Birds Unlimited of Scotch Plains, BR Environmental, and XAdmins.

For more information about Bio-Blitz and a complete schedule of activities visit ucnj.org/bio-blitz.

Professional scientists and other knowledgeable experts who are interested in joining a survey team can join online at ucnj.org/bio-blitz until June 6, or in person after June 6.

#  #

Connect with Union County on social media.